Bad Intentions

By Amanda Cherry and Erik Scott De Bie

"I do love it when you talk like a supervillain."

Once upon a time, Ruby and Vivienne were rivals and enemies. Now? Theirs is a happiness neither one of them saw coming, and things between them are almost perfect.

Almost.

There’s still the matter of The Raven. Ruby intends to make Vivienne’s on-again lover, off-again nemesis pay for the harm he’s done to both of them.

"Let him suffer tenfold every injustice he has done to you."

Too bad Vivienne insists on leaving him alive.

But Ruby has other ways of dealing with the men who have wronged her.

“You enchanted him, didn’t you...? Jesus, Ginger, what did you do?”

A web of lies, a tangle of magic, and one dark and dirty secret threaten to destroy everything they’ve built together.

“Darling, I can’t just let you compromise all my hard work.”

Love is messy, especially when all involved have

BAD INTENTIONS

• Language: English
• Publisher: DefCon One Publishing
• Release date: Nov 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215114360

Amanda Cherry

Amanda Cherry is a Seattle-area queer, disabled nerd who still can't believe people pay her to write stories.Her debut novel, Rites & Desires, was released in 2018, and her sophomore work, The Dragon Stone Conspiracy, in 2021. She's had short stories published in the Cobalt City anthologies Christmas Harder and Dragonstorm, as well as multiple editions of Mad Scientist Journal and the queer sci-fi anthology: Ink. Amanda was on the writing team for the TTRPG Acute Paranoia and is an award-winning screenwriter. Her nonfiction writing has appeared across the web on such sites as ToscheStation.net, Eleven-ThirtyEight.com, and StarTrek.com.She is a member of SFWA and the Broad Universe Motherboard.Follow Amanda's geekery and hilarity on Twitter and TikTok @MandaTheGinger and follow her literary journey at www.thegingervillain.com/.

Book preview

Femmes Fatale 2: Bad Intentions

Erik Scott de Bie

Amanda Cherry

Copyright 2023.

All rights reserved.

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, 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 Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of these authors.

More Vengeance and Killingsworth

Other Lady Vengeance Stories

The Justice/Vengeance Series

Libations for the Dead (2023, DefCon One Publishing)

Other Stories

Vengeance on the Layover originally published in the Cobalt City Timeslip anthology (Timid Pirate Publishing, 2010)

Angels of Mercy, originally published in the Triumph over Tragedy anthology (Terrene Press, 2013)

The Curse of the Bambino, originally published in the This Mutant Life: Bad Company anthology (Kalamity Press, 2013)

Queen of Demons, originally published in the Monster Hunter: The Good Fight anthology (Emby Press, 2015)

Baggage, originally published in the Shadowed Souls anthology (Roc, 2016)

Mother of Harlots, originally published in the Dragonstorm anthology (DefConOne Publishing, 2022)

Eye for an Eye (originally published as a part of Cobalt City Double Feature, 2012, Timid Pirate Publishing; reprinted 2018, DefCon One Publishing)

Femmes Fatale, with Amanda Cherry (2022, DefCon One Publishing)

Other Ruby Killingsworth Stories

Rites and Desires (2018, DefCon One Publishing)

Facing the Music originally published in the Dragonstorm anthology (DefConOne Publishing, 2022)

Table of Contents

Dedication

Round One: Still

Round Two: Shaken

Round Three: Sparkling

Round Four: Muddled

Round Five: Dirty

Round Six: Sour

Round Seven: Straight Up

Round Eight: On the Rocks

Acknowledgements

About the Authors

Dedication

To all those worried they aren't enough--you are.

Round One: Still

June 2019

Vivienne quirks one eyebrow. What?

Summer in Seattle has some of the finest weather in the country, which lasts about two weeks between so-called Juneuary and the arrival of wildfire season. The sunset is quite fantastic from anywhere in the city, but especially from the west side of the Sound, on the boat Ruby has acquired for the occasion. Ruby doesn't much care for boats, and she's instructed the captain to keep them in sight of land. But if a famous person is looking for absolute privacy, it's a well-known fact there's no place better than a yacht at sea. And tonight's view more than makes up for her discomfort.

The skyline's not bad, either.

You're staring. Vivienne crosses her arms. What's up, Ginger?

She didn't dress up for their romantic sort-of-anniversary, having worn a faded Kate Bush shirt and distressed black jeans. Her collection of logo tees from thirty years ago would put the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to shame, and most of them are so battered Ruby can tell they're original or at least well loved. The undercut, however, more than makes up for it.

Ruby gestures with her drink. Something's different about you. And I'm not talking about the hair--we've covered that already.

I'm six months sober.

Ruby does a double take and almost spits out a mouthful of Prosecco. I beg your pardon.

Vivienne raises up her wrist, setting the gem in the bracelet Ruby gave her back in November to twinkling in the light of the setting sun.

Oh, Ruby says. Oh thank the gods.

"The look on your face, Ginger, fuck."

They clink glasses, and Vivienne takes another long pull of her whiskey. She wipes her lips with the back of her hand and sighs. The emotional morass, it was-- Vivienne shakes her head. You ever been addicted to a drug without realizing it?

Are you referencing my coffee habit or all the coke I did in my twenties?

Yes. Vivienne laughs. It's one of the myriad ways they understand each other.

Ruby's eyes narrow. You seem ... happy. Or at least better rested.

You don't like it.

It's not-- Ruby makes a face. "It's just ... you're wearing white, for pity's sake."

Too much?

Please stop it.

Vivienne smiles slyly, then pulls her shirt off over her head.

Oh. I see.

~

An hour later, as the last light fades on the horizon, they lounge in the primary stateroom, rocked by the gentle sway of the boat, Ruby idly playing with Vivienne's hair. She's put a shirt back on--a different one, a tattered and clearly much-loved dark gray Nirvana shirt. The way Ruby runs her fingers along the short hairs of her undercut makes Vivienne shiver, which Ruby no doubt enjoys as well.

Initially, Vivienne got the impression Ruby wasn't so fond of how short she went on the sides, not that she would ever say anything. Admitting an opinion on the haircut is akin to claiming the right to have an opinion, and that would be too close to conceding a relationship. Vivienne might let the top grow out again, but as long as Ruby touches her like this, she'll keep the under layers shorn.

V.

"R."

I want to ask your blessing for something.

The silence between them never lasts. Vivienne isn't surprised it always breaks so quickly--indeed, the surprise is the fact they're both here at all, in bed with each other, watching the sunset together. It's all kinds of romantic, though of course that word is verboten.

For all Ruby's resistance to anything that smacks of commitment, she's made a pretty consistent effort to keep them in touch. When all was said and done in Cobalt City last year, they silently parted company for what should have been the last time. Azazel was defeated, Ruby had her building back, all was well, and they were free to go their separate ways. And they had. Vivienne had resolved herself to the notion that her affair with Ruby Killingsworth was just another in the long series of questionable romantic decisions she's made in her life.

But then Ruby had arrived out of the blue with a fancy, expensive, handcrafted gift, and she'd shown up as magically and emotionally unguarded as Vivienne had ever seen her. That was months ago, and they've spent more than a few additional trysts together in the intervening time. Vivienne has Ruby's scheduler Jillian in her favorites, in case she feels like flying across the country for a weekend. Most people would call this arrangement dating--with the added weirdness of one of them being a godsdamned billionaire--though of course Vivienne knows better than to use the D-word, even where she thinks Ruby can't hear. She doesn't want to be responsible for World War III.

But now she wants Vivienne's blessing for something? It's unexpected, but interesting.

For what? Vivienne rolls onto her side to see Ruby better. You want to propose to Jaccob?

Propose he never speaks to me again, maybe.

Yeah sure. Vivienne's seen the two of them together, and the lasting chemistry is undeniable.

"Vengeance, this is serious."

Okay, I'm listening. What is it?

I should start by saying I want your buy-in on this, but I don't require it. Your saying no is unlikely to slow me down, much less stop me.

Okay, Ginger. Vivienne's dubious but curious. Also not surprised: the idea of Ruby needing anyone's permission for anything is, after all, preposterous. What is it?

That Raven fellow.

This is about Tony? Vivienne sits up quickly and pulls a pillow into her lap. Not exactly the kind of thing she would ever expect Ruby to bring up in the bedroom. Or at all. And not something she's sure she wants to talk about. Especially not in bed. This is serious.

He did what no one should dare to do. Ruby sits up as well, wrapping herself in the sheet and turning her head just enough to catch Vivienne's gaze. He defied me. To my face.

'Defied' you?

You don't remember? I suppose that's to be expected. You were rather occupied at the time. But he opened fire in violation of our rules of engagement. In the Tower. Ruby balls her hands into fists and snarls at the memory. He had orders and he failed to abide by them.

Oh, yeah, Vivienne says. That. I do remember ... sort of.

I have it in my head to track him down, Ruby declares, her face as serious as Vivienne has ever seen it, and take him out.

And I'm guessing you don't mean for a fancy dinner where you can calmly air your grievances over a nice Chianti.

You know me so well.

I don't know-- Vivienne hedges with humor, per usual. Trying to kill me is kind of his thing.

"Not in my office, it isn't. Not without my permission."

The concept of anyone's permission stopping Tony is almost as preposterous as it stopping Ruby, but Vivienne leaves that part unspoken. They are, without a doubt, the most stubborn people she knows, and with the wealth of the average developed country's GDP to back it up.

Antonio The Raven DeSantes. So long as Vivienne has made bad decisions regarding boys, he's been front and center among them. He was her first, worst, original-sin, biggest mistake, but she has come back to that well again and again over the years, whether for pleasure or to punish herself or punish him, she can't say. Both? All of the above? At least he seems to have backed off his crusade to hunt her down and murder her, if his occasional erotic visitations to her apartment in Belltown are any indication. Ugh. It's all so messy and weird, and she doesn't know where she stands.

Okay, but-- Vivienne spreads her hands. There's a piece of this I don't understand. Answer something for me?

If I can.

"Why was he even there? Vivienne asks. Why did ... why did you call him?"

That bit was Jaccob's idea. Ruby waves dismissively, but Vivienne stares until she elaborates. "He wanted backup he knew wouldn't flinch if it came down to your possessed body or the whole damn city. He understood that I'd be engaged in a metaphysical sense and might not have the capacity to protect myself. When I explained to him the very real possibility I could be killed, Jaccob wanted an insurance policy. If I lost and he needed to take you out, he didn't think he could do it alone. As you know, the man is terrified of magic. Plus ... you know ... feelings."

Because he loves you desperately, Vivienne says. Even if he's a big idiot about it.

Ruby waves that away as if it were completely irrelevant. "And if we both lost, he wanted to be sure there was a last-ditch way to stymie the demon until other heroes could pick up where we left off."

So he called Tony? Head spinning, Vivienne looks for the bottle of Prosecco she was sure Ruby brought with her from on deck. Her shiny new bracelet, wherever it landed, might stifle the roar of mass emotion, but she isn't sure anything will ever dull the sting of hearing Jaccob had called in Tony to put her down if the need arose. He really thought The Raven would do as he was told?

You know Jaccob, always thinking the best of people.

I guess. Vivienne flops back down onto the bed. Her head lands on Ruby's pillow, her hair a wild mess, the sheets a tangle around her.

Mister DeSantes-- Ruby draws out the honorific for full imperious derision. --was our emergency backup. He was supposed to sit watch until either we called on him, or we were both dead.

Only--

"Only the moment that bird-faced fuck had you in the sights of his .50 caliber, he went all trigger happy and opened fire without approval."

I see.

I didn't have the wherewithal to deal with him at the time, Ruby slides down in the covers again and scoots closer before reaching out to take Vivienne's hand. There were more important things--

I remember that, too.

But it's been a while, Ruby says then, kissing Vivienne's knuckles before letting go. "And now I do have the wherewithal, as well as a good head of steam. And I cannot allow his betrayal to stand."

"So this is about what he did to you, Vivienne asks, almost coyly, not what he did to me?"

Oh, make no mistake. Ruby winds her fingers through Vivienne's hair to watch the play of black against purple in the light coming through the window. Had anyone else been the intended target, he'd be due a lesser smackdown. But letting this slide would not be on the table, regardless.

Vivienne leans in to kiss Ruby's freckled shoulder. That assertion is probably the closest she's ever going to get to a declaration of love. And so you want to--?

I want to neutralize him. The precise shape that takes remains to be seen.

That gives Vivienne a little internal shiver. The things this woman can do ...

And you want my blessing.

The two of you have history, Ruby says. And I know how that can complicate things. Even though most of your history is the two of you trying through various means to kill each other, some of it isn't. I'd like to think you'll be happy to be rid of the bastard.

Hmm. Vivienne isn't sure about that. But she certainly wouldn't mind no longer having to stay on her guard when he's around or look over her shoulder when she thinks he's not. And eternally grateful to you, presumably?

The matter of your gratitude is one we can agree to settle later.

Tony--dead. Ruby is serious, Vivienne can tell. She can feel it in every bit of energy coming off her. It's as terrifying as it is titillating. And she can't help feeling conflicted.

You think you can do it? she asks. He's the elected leader of a high-tech modern state. You think you can just 'take him out'?

I think it won't be as easy as I'm making it sound, but yes.

"I have to say, I am pleased at the idea of not having to worry about Schrödinger's Raven possibly scheming to murder me."

Mmh. And you do know how much I enjoy pleasing you.

"I do know that. Vivienne leans in for a kiss, but only just. Best to finish the conversation before other things occupy them again. And I'll bless this plan to get back at him on one condition."

I'm not going to like this, am I?

I don't want you to kill him, she says. I want to make that clear.

You'd be surprised what a person can live through--

Ruby.

"Fine."

Promise me.

I don't make promises, Vivienne.

Ruby--

Ruby blows out a sigh. Vivienne knows how important these deals are to her. She may be a super-villain--how can a CEO named Ruby Killingsworth not be--but she is a woman of her word. Both professionally and magically.

All right, Ruby says, clearly a little exasperated. I will not kill Antonio DeSantes without your say so. At least not this week. Though if that fool attacks me or you, I make no promises. Satisfied?

Thank you. Vivienne feels lighter. Relieved. One other thing.

And what's that, darling?

Vivienne reaches beneath the sheet to place her hand on Ruby's hip. I think you know.

They kiss again as a warm draft of spice-scented air settles around them. They have a deal.

~

There are those who say it's better to beg forgiveness than ask permission.

Ruby Killingsworth prefers to fuck with neither. She does what she wants, and she doesn't give a damn who has what to say about it.

But still, it feels strange to be going to Colorado without telling Vivienne about it.

She has clearance to deal with Tony, maybe not as she expected, but it still makes her feel better about the whole thing. It's only the sneaking around to visit Valhalla behind Vivienne's back that's giving her pause. Not enough pause to make her reconsider the trip, of course, but more pause than she's accustomed to--which is to say: none at all.

The updated flight plan, as discussed, she says to the steward. Let me know when we're an hour out. Oh, and dirty martinis. Keep 'em coming.

She didn't expect to feel this way. But, then again, she hadn't expected Vivienne to make her swear not to kill the sonofabitch. She'd really thought Vivienne would be more than happy to be fully, and permanently, done with the man. But alas ...

Ugh. Well, there's more than one way to skin a cat. Or, a Raven, as it were.

It's just that, when a man as technology focused as Antonio DeSantes sends a handwritten note on embossed stationery, that's a message her experience says is worth heeding. And when the substance of the note requests the honor of her presence at his super-secret Valhalla headquarters, etiquette dictates she ought to oblige. Her curiosity says the same.

She didn't tell Vivienne about the invitation either. Oh well.

The conditions of her visit--that she come alone and unarmed foremost among them--would normally have signaled to her the distinct possibility of a trap, and this may very well be one. But other than the harsh words she had for him during the possession incident, he has no beef with her, no reason to wish her ill. He was even fairly compensated for the work he did for her during Vivienne's most recent possession, though he probably wasn't doing it for money.

As best Ruby can figure, they're square--excepting the insult of his defiance, of course.

From everything Vivienne has ever said about him, Ruby has the strong impression that Tony is a decent enough fellow, with a powerful sense of justice and a great deal of personal honor. Lots of trauma, too, but none of it directed at her. If he says he wants to talk to her alone, then he probably means it.

And since when is a sorceress of her caliber ever truly unarmed?

There remains the chance he plans to take Ruby captive and use her as bait to lure Vivienne to him so he can finish her off once and for all. She's aware he thinks sparing the world the existence of Vivienne Cain/Lady Vengeance/the chosen mortal vessel of the demon Azazel would be a great service to humankind. He's wrong about that, and Ruby means to bring him around to her way of thinking on the subject. If it turns out this meeting is truly for the purposes of earnest conversation, then she should have no trouble convincing him Vivienne is no longer any threat to him or to anyone.

And if her famous powers of persuasion fail, there's always plan B. The magic to force another party into agreement with her is the oldest and most familiar of her