La Ravanche Des Trois (Revenge of Three) - Black Family Series

By Sylvia Hubbard

Discover the dark side of friendship in "La Revanche des Trois" where one woman's life turns upside down when she realizes her friends have been using her. But when she seeks revenge and falls for her friend's boyfriend, she unleashes a chain of events that will destroy not only their friendship but also another marriage. With complex characters and unexpected twists, this novel will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. This is a standalone romance thriller in the Black Family Series by Award Winning Best Selling Author, Sylvia Hubbard.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sylvia Hubbard
• Release date: Nov 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781476305493

Sylvia Hubbard

Detroit native, Sylvia Hubbard, a single mother of three, has worked tirelessly to promote and encourage emerging writers in Michigan. She independently published her first romance novel in 2000 and has continued to write in that genre, sometimes venturing into other sub-genres. Always urban and contemporary styled, her writing is enjoyed all over the world. She has published 8 paperbacks and over 30 e-books.The same year she published, Ms Hubbard also created Motown Writers Network to fill the lack of education and networking for Michigan authors online and offline. By 2004, she was frustrated that all the literary conferences had moved too far away from the city and co-created The Essence of Motown Literary Jam Conference held only in the City of Detroit annually.In addition to romance writing, Hubbard has been featured at various conferences and workshops all over the United States and Canada, where she has taught authors how to sell their books on the Internet. She also published Internet Marketing for Writers & Businesses as a resource for those unable to attend her workshops. In the upcoming year, she will be featured in several anthologies and plans to publish additional e-books.

Book preview

La Revanche des Trois (Revenge of Three)

The Black Family Series Book 4

Sylvia Hubbard

Romance/Suspense/ Sensual Noir

Published by HubBooks Literary Services

Electronic Copyright 2012 Sylvia Hubbard

Discover other titles by Sylvia Hubbard at

http://sylviahubbard.com/fictionbooks

All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual person, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to author’s website and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

For information Visit her website at http://SylviaHubbard.com

Other books related to this book are as follows:

Love Like This

His Substitute Wife… My Sister *

King’s Paradise *

The Mysterious Mr. Black

Hope Is Love

Author's Note: This is an unedited version of the book and I ask that you please leave a review at the book page on my website to let me know how you liked the story. http://sylviahubbard.com/fictionbooks And then collect the rest of The Black Family Series!

Chapter 1

Lauren and Jezica laughed at the inside joke across the table, Stefanie as usual felt left out.

They were at the very expensive restaurant inside of the St. Royal Hotel in Detroit. It was lunch hour and today Stefanie wasn't feeling like she wanted to be there. This feeling was a long time coming, but today when she awoke in her downtown loft, looking at the empty white pillow beside her and wishing someone was lying there with her, she was feeling that nagging of not wanting to be around Lauren and Jezica even more.

Jezica was married but barely home. She was supposed to be an at home mom, but having a very supportive mother in law, gave Jezica the right to just do what she wanted with all her husband's money when she wanted.

As for Lauren, she had always lived a wealthy life either with her own means or the many men she dated. Although she was single, there were always three to four millionaires supporting her expensive lifestyle and taste.

Stefanie was always the odd one out. A loner all her life, she really didn't acquire friends until high school when Lauren and Jezica decided to take her into their cliche after Stefanie's big payday. On top of that, Lauren and Jezica probably wouldn't have gotten out of high school or college without Stefanie's smarts.

When the bill was brought over the waitress placed the tray by Lauren. The assumption was inevitable since Lauren was the better dressed out of the three women with the latest in fashion from head to toe. Stefanie would be the less likely to be assumed.

When the waitress walked away, Lauren and Jezica continued their discussion about the new boots that were in season and at the same time, Lauren set the check next to Stefanie with a playful wink.

Stefanie didn't hesitate to pull out her American Express business card and place it on the receipt tray only noting a little the bill was a little over a hundred dollars. Lauren and Jezica ordered the most expensive thing off the menu, yet most the food on their side of the table was barely touched.

Every fourth Friday of the month this was the ritual of all three friends, since Stefanie had received her first lump sum on the algorithm she had created for a software program. Later on, tonight would continue the ritual where they all got together at a club and had a girl's night out. Even though it was fun for Lauren and Jezica, it never had been fun for Stefanie.

Ten years later since the ritual had started, Stefanie was still paying bills for Lauren and Jezica, yet today reality was sitting ill in her gut.

Isn't that true, Stef? Lauren asked.

Stefanie hadn't been listening because the subject of what new boots to wear for winter just wasn't interesting to her. Yeah, sure, she answered like she usually did.

Lauren flipped back her synthetic coppery brown mid-back length hair and gasped. Look at that fine specimen, Jez.

All their eyes went to the door to see a tall big black man dressed in black from head to toe with dreds down to his waist. He looked even taller with a black Stetson hat on and bigger with the black leather McIntosh that went all the way down to his ankles. Stefanie almost thought tumbleweed was going to roll by because she seemed transposed back to western days and felt highly unsafe all of a sudden.

They weren't the only women or men looking in the direction of the entrance as the man's obsidian eyes scanned the room as if he were looking for someone to kill. His visual scan stopped at their table and he narrowed his eyes cruelly at Stefanie.

He's looking at you! Jez said terrified to Stefanie.

Oh no he's not, Lauren said quite arrogantly. He's looking at me.

Stefanie scooted down in her chair because if shots were fired, she wanted to be able to duck down faster than the others at her table.

The dark stranger whispered to a tiny woman standing next to him that wasn't noticed until he addressed her. The small woman nodded and then the dark stranger walked away.

She was a rather mousey looking African-American, but Stefanie was very aware of who this woman was without a doubt and put a lot of common sense together to know who that man was. In a way, she was glad the man had not approached the table because she would have a lot of explaining about her clientele to her friends and she really didn't want to go into her work with them. Anytime Stefanie spoke about her business, Lauren was usually calculating how much money she was making and Jezica was trying to figure out how was anyone interested in what Stefanie did.

I have some work to complete before tonight, Stefanie said abruptly and stood up as the waitress brought back her card. Can you guys leave the tip?

I didn't bring any money, Jezica said.

And I don't have enough to leave, Lauren said.

Digging around quickly in her jacket, she tossed a five and some ones out on the table.

We'll see you tonight at the bar, right? Jezica asked hopefully

I guess, Stefanie said.

If we get there early, can we start your tab for you? Lauren asked.

Sure, she said nonchalantly with a shrugged, grabbed her laptop case and left out the restaurant.

The mousey woman was by the door and loudly cleared her throat to draw Stefanie's attention.

Opening up the laptop case, Stefanie handed the woman a flash drive. That should fix the problem on the security system for your client and I added an upgrade, Treasure.

The boss says thank you, Treasure said sticking the flash in her purse. Being so small at only five feet tall, the biggest thing on Treasure was her chest. Double D's were nothing to play with on a woman her size and sometimes Stefanie was amazed how straight Treasure could walk.

They were kindred souls though enjoying the quiet life behind a computer at home or at work with no one bothering them. They'd met at an alumni mixer when they found out they were both forced to go and it was great because Treasure referred her boss to Stefanie, who was one of her biggest clients.

Treasure's boss was also her cousin, Lethal Heart, a very serious and deadly man in Stefanie's book and she was always glad to deal with Treasure instead of Lethal.

How have you been? Stefanie asked with a deep, personal look of concern.

A shaky smile told the truth, but Treasure still said, I'm fine. I miss her very much, but Lethal is making me move on. I don't think I could do everything if it's not for his damn pushiness.

You know you can call me for anything you need, Treasure.

Treasure took out an envelope. Here's the last payment for the work you did. He actually added more because he was able to use the file with several clients and thought to give you licensing credit to be fair.

Stefanie opened the envelope and smiled at the extra five thousand dollars added to the check personally signed by Lethal Heart. Wow! Thank you.

So how's everything been with you? You were dating that guy.

Shaking her head, Stefanie said, Let's just say one woman's bad thing ain't always another woman's good thing.

You shouldn't have to deal with sloppy seconds, Treasure said. The offer is still good for -

No! Stefanie said holding her heart.

I promise to-

NO! No, No, Treasure.

Treasure put her hand over her mouth to hide the chuckle.

A horn blared hard and they looked over to the large black Escalade with tinted windows.

Lethal was inside and impatiently waiting for his cousin.

Treasure hugged Stefanie and whispered. Sometimes a single night as someone's only is better than a night with someone who doesn't care.

Stefanie sighed and pulled away. Well, if I change my mind, you'll be the first to know.

Treasure walked quickly to the Escalade and Stefanie was shocked Lethal jumped out the driver's side and walked around to open the door to the passenger side. His cousin's legs were not long enough to get into the truck and he gently helped her inside, took a side glance at Stefanie with a short nod and then got back in the SUV to drive away.

Keeping secrets? Lauren asked abruptly behind her startling Stefanie.

Before Stefanie could answer, Lauren snatched the envelope from her and looked in it.

Wow! Lauren said.

Snatching the envelope back, Stefanie said, It's a client, Lauren.

A very well paid client. Who was that? Lauren demanded to know.

That's Lethal Heart and his office assistant. I never met him until now and I really didn't meet him.

What I missed? Jezica asked coming out fixing her clothes.

She met that big black handsome guy, Lauren said.

I didn't meet him, Lauren. Stefanie was getting exasperated. Look, I have to go finish up some projects.

Lauren grabbed her arm slightly digging her nails into her skin making Stefanie winced. You are coming tonight to talk about it, right?

Stefanie looked down at the painful grip and then looked up into Lauren's beady dark brown dull eyes. Without the tall platform heels Lauren wore, they would be eye to eye, but for now, Stefanie was forced to crook her neck upwards at her.

I said I'd be there. She snatched her arm away and had a tense moment of visual heat with Lauren.

You know no one's ever going to be your friend like we are, Lauren said knowingly.

Yeah, Jezica said.

We'll help you celebrate your client and his money.

Stefanie rolled her eyes and stuffed the envelope in her laptop case. I'll see you all tonight at the club.

Lauren held out her ticket for the valet to get her car while Jezica followed Stefanie to her car. Hey, I forgot to ask you about the thing for my computer. Remember?

Sighing in reluctance, Stefanie said, Couldn't Nick figure things out?

Jezica huffed. He's been out of town lately. And I didn't want to bother him over my stupidity. Can you help or not, Stefanie?

Grudgingly, she handed Jezica a flash drive. But you didn't get this from me, because if you're trying to do what I think you're trying to do, Nick's not stupid enough to think you did this on your own.

Jezica smiled wickedly. Don't worry. I'll be a good girl and destroy this after I install it.

As Jezica walked away happily to jump in the car with Lauren, Stefanie had a horrible feeling she shouldn't have done what she had done for Jezica and that what she had done would come back to bite her later on.

Nick was also a computer programmer and Jezica knew Stefanie was probably the only one who would be able to override the security program Nick had installed on the home computers to keep certain files away from his wife.

Stefanie walked to her old red Ford Escort and jumped in. In desperate need for a muffler that she just never had time to replace, she started up the car and drove away with the thought, With friends like those, I really don't need enemies.

Lighting a cigarette, she took a long puff needing the nicotine to calm her nerves before driving home.

Chapter 2

On her drive home, as she was getting into her third cigarette, she tried to pinpoint the spot in her life that made her realize her friends were just using her.

For ten years, Stefanie had accepted the things the way they were. Paying Lauren and Jezica's bar and restaurant tab, doing their schoolwork, helping them cheat on tests, and doing errands for them.

Maybe it was the call from her accountant, Kenneth Bianchi, about the large sum of money that was never paid back from Lauren a year ago.

He'd called her two weeks ago as he was getting prepared for an end of the year assessment before he started working on her fiscal tax year. He had started taking care of her books by a recommendation by Treasure earlier this year and he had been the best business decision she has to date.

Lauren was very upset about Stefanie changing over accountants because Stefanie's first one had come from Lauren's recommendation.

Kenneth's next advice after getting her books in order was to keep her business to herself.

Not telling Lauren and Jezica her business this past year had really started to unstress Stefanie. There was less explanation; there was less nosiness and most of all borrowing.

The third thing Kenneth had done was catch her up to date on exactly how much each of her friends had borrowed from her over the last decade. Jezica owed over ten thousand dollars. Most of these loans had come from trips she had asked Stefanie to pay for and shopping excursions Jezica's husband wouldn't pay for.

The amount didn't bother Stefanie much. The amount was more or less a principal of the matter. This wasn't just a couple of dollars here and there and Stefanie didn't even count the expensive monthly lunch and girl's night out events.

Lauren was another matter. A year ago, Lauren said she decided to leave her job at a local fashion & style magazine to open up her own design firm. She had initially borrowed five hundred from Jezica's husband and according to the proposal she gave to Stefanie, the bank loaned her ten thousand dollars. For three days she had called Stefanie up and been the nicest she had ever been in their decade old relationship until Stefanie finally loaned her fifty thousand dollars.

According to the terms of the loan contract she had signed with Lauren, the terms of payment were clearly laid out and Lauren was supposed to pay back the first installment of the loan three months ago.

Stefanie really had been consumed with her new clients and just stressed over all the demands Lauren and Jezica were making on her, she really hadn't been thinking about repayment and any money issues.

So the next morning when the text message of her things to do from Lauren had gone off after her meeting with Kenneth Bianchi, the clean white pillow had started to bother her.

As days passed the empty pillow bothered her more and more. Even when she changed the color of the pillowcase, it bothered her worse.

Yet, even though Jezica and Lauren were supposed to be her close friends, she didn't feel comfortable going to them telling them her troubles - especially because her troubles were about them.

Treasure had somehow become someone she could tell her