This is a short story about a sociopathic scoundrel who works as an independent contractor. In conjunction with his nefarious endeavors, he encounters, exploits and enjoys interesting young women. This story contains sexual content intended for the mature reader.

Excerpts: Blake was a normal-looking guy, average height, around a hundred fifty pounds, a slender build. To look at him you would never suspect that he had been an outstanding Black Ops Specialist. He knew a hundred different ways to kill, many of them designed to appear an accident or a suicide. A serial dater in his mid-thirties, he'd chase after a woman until he scored, then move on to the next conquest.

- - -"You need to do a strip search, tough guy," Nicki declared. She wanted him distracted while she did a more serious perusal around the perimeter. "Start with Blondie over there."

I love my work, he thought to himself. He didn't realize he was being manipulated."Take off your clothes, sweetheart."

"Please, sir, don't make me do this, at least not in front of them. I work with these people every day."
-...she surprised him with an upper left hook to his jaw. It decked him. He swung his legs around, kicking hers out from under her, dropping her to the ground as well. He quickly recovered, zapped her with his stun-gun, dragged her to his nearby SUV, and threw her into the back. Experienced at abductions, he had no problem promptly duct taping her wrists and ankles.
- - -"See those ropes hanging from overhead? The two small nooses? Stand on that stack of books, put your wrists into them..... Kick away a book."
- - -"We should send your husband a video of us doing it, of you loving it."

"Noooo."

"It's that or I kill him. We'll create our own little porno. You come into my living room and flirt with me. Maybe you're bringing me a pizza. You ask if you can take off your clothes, one thing leads to another, the naughty girl in you comes out to play."

-He took his time, staring into her captive eyes, there was no reason to rush things. He wanted her to take the initiative."You said you are a collector. How many have there been?"

"Fifty-ish."

"What happened to them?"

"I sold some, some died, I let a few go."

She saw a ray of hope. "You let a few go? Why?"

I found a buyer for the flash drive, and I found out what's on it. It has the personnel files of all DHS employees and details of those serving undercover. Your girlfriend's dad is on the list."

"Oh my God! You can't sell it!" exclaimed an alarmed Mia.

"Why wouldn't I? I can get seven figures for it."

"My dad could be killed, possibly tortured to death if found out."

"Why should I care? I suppose I could delete his file before I hand over the drive if I had the proper incentive."

"Like what? I don't have much money."

"Kill your husband for me while I watch, cupcake."
- -Nicki stood up as if ready to kick his ass. "I'm taking her..." Suddenly dizzy, she stumbled and staggered. "What the fuck?"

"I didn't spend all that time in Black Ops to be bested by the likes of you, Nicki. How much are you getting for the thumb drive? Whom are you selling to? I have the antidote. Give me a reason to use it."

"Fuck you, Banning. You poisoned me. How did you do it?"

"Trade secret. You're wasting your most valuable minutes. The question you should have asked is why should I help you. One of the history's great emperors who used food testers was ultimately poisoned by the knife that cut the apple. Another target died when he licked an innocent-looking postage stamp. My trick was like that."- - -
Blake's collection had now grown to three, the most he had had alive and together at any one time.