Madison

Sometimes in life doing what you perceive as being right is not always right. That decision you make when the chips are down and you're holding all the cards isn't always your decision to make. The consequences of those decisions can often change the destiny of not just you, but everyone around you. This was the case late one evening in the offices of Clint Madison, a renowned criminal leader turned legit. In this office stands two people, unable to fully comprehend the magnitude of the situation they’re in. One makes the decision to change the fate of the other, this sparks a downward spiral for not just him but for that friend and Clint’s daughter.

It’s Midnight Saturday night in New York City. The city is lit up beautifully with buildings and street lights. Cars honk their horns loudly as those who have work sleep comfortably in their own beds. Clint is overlooking the financials of his shady and legal business matters. David Knight, one of his producers walks in unannounced, unexpected, and frankly uninvited. David brushes his blond hair back and narrows his blue eyes at the burly Clint who calmly puffs away at his cigar as he looks unaffected by David’s apparent displeasure.

“Yes, may I help you?” Clint says in his deep menacing voice, before taking a long drag of his cigar.

“What’s this I hear about, Kevin branching off to get his own family?” David shouts in his squeaky voice moving his hands wildly.

“Kevin has done well by me; he has protected my daughter since they were in school. He’s earned my trust, this is his reward, I’d think you’d be happier for someone you consider a brother.” Clint says not too happy with David’s anger towards the boss’s decision.

“You know how SICK of Kevin I am?” David asks rhetorically.

“Between you and that stuck-up daughter of yours, it’s as if I should be honored to be in his presence,” David says beginning to pace back and forth as he lights up a cigarette.

“First, my daughter is not stuck up. Second, perhaps if you weren't such a hot head you’d gain more respect in our business.” Clint says with a low, calculating tone as he glares at David.

“Your daughter would just assume rip my throat out as look at me. I can’t stand that skank!” David says with an obvious dislike for Clint’s daughter, Stephanie.

“Why didn't I get the job to protect her? To watch out for her. I can be just as bad as Kevin!” David says his bright blue suit beginning to dampen from perspiration.

“We've had this conversation before. Kevin was her age, went to her school. His father was my most trusted and loyal employee, Kevin reminded me a lot of his dad with honorable qualities, therefore he got the job to watch over my daughter.” Clint says putting out his cigar in the ashtray.

“What’s that supposed to mean, honorable qualities?” David says removing his bright blue blazer jacket and angrily whipping it to the marbled floor.

“It means with Kevin; I didn't have to worry about him making an unwanted pass at my daughter,” Clint says calmly.

“So, let me get this straight, you’re worried about me how can I say this? Ah yes, you worried about me trying to seduce your daughter, but not Kevin?” David asks in disbelief.

“Let me ask you this! In the last let’s says three months, how many actresses have you…"auditioned" for leading roles in your films?” Clint asks with a hint of sarcasm.

“I don’t know thirty, forty maybe, I can’t help the chicks digging me!” David says with a cocky little smile.

“Now, how many women do you think Kevin has had?” Clint asks in a defusing tone.

“I don’t know, he spends most of his time with me at the studio when he’s not watching over Steph,” David says throwing his cigarette in the ashtray and blowing a big cloud of smoke dangerously close to Clint.

“You see, it shows discipline. Do you not think Kevin gets the same urges being around such lovely women as you occupy yourself with?” Clint asks in almost a fathering tone.

“Well, maybe, but he can handle it,” David says starting to settle down.

“There’s your answer. Kevin has self-control, you do not. I did not need or want a hot head in charge of guarding my little girl. This life I have lived has gained me many enemies, enemies that will not think twice about harming her. I needed the most trusting and qualified man to protect her.” Clint says in a condescending tone, or at least that’s how David took it. As the heavyset Clint stands from his antique wooden chair to pour a glass of scotch, David notices a letter opener on the desk in front of him. He grabs it and charges at Clint in a jealous angered rage. He stabs the chubby man several times causing blood to squirt all over the white walls of the office.

“You arrogant slime ball! You always think you know me so well!” David says as he manically raises his right arm up and down several times slicing into Clint’s black pinstriped suit causing the blood to soak through the material.

“You’re crazy!” Clint says shoving the much smaller David off of him and trying to get to his feet, but he has several deep gashes in his chest and stomach. Clint barely makes it to his feet, but David is back up. David charges after Clint in a jealous rage and refuses to be denied his one act of bravery. He mercilessly drives the blood-covered letter opener into the chest and sternum of Clint blood still splattering all over the place. After what must have been thirty to forty slices, David stops as he sees Clint stop breathing. David crawls to a corner shocked by his own violent actions, his bright blue suit now stained heavily with the blood of Clint Madison. He begins to weep heavily as he shakes in fear. The realization of what he’s done finally sets in, he has just killed the most powerful, ruthless, and influential member of Madison Enterprises. While they had gone legit they still had shady underworld connections and businesses. Businesses ran by men who had undeniable loyalty to Clint. David knew as well as anyone they would not stop until his murder was avenged.

All of this over Kevin getting the job to protect Stephanie. David would never admit it, but he lusted after Stephanie. He had every reason too, she was an intelligent, attractive young woman. He often imagined her face and body as he was engaging in his multiple affairs. He wondered how’d she feel, what she was like, he longed to just experience the feeling of her moist lips pressed firmly against his. He wanted and in his mind needed her to like him, but she couldn't he was far too weak a man for her to ever give him the slightest interest. Now he had killed her father, she loathed him now as it was, once word broke out he slaughtered her father she would never even look at him. All these feelings crossing David’s mind, then he thought of Kevin. Kevin had been like a big brother to David. Ever since they met one day at lunch, David was being picked on by some members of the high school football team, Kevin in his strong and confident way walked over. They knew who Kevin was, his connections to Clint. Kevin calmly set down his tray and told David he was welcomed at his table. Kevin then proceeded to bust the nose of the teams’ quarterback without as much as a second of hesitation. David admired that, one of the cool kids just helped the nerdy film fanatic. From that day forward the two were best of friends.

David did what he always did when he was in trouble, he grabbed his cellular phone from his bloodstained pants pocket and dialed Kevin’s number.

“Hello, this is Kevin.” Kevin says as he watches Stephanie disrobe with a male counterpart in her room.

“K-Kev, this-this is-is David,” David says shaking.

“What’s wrong David? You don’t sound right.” Kevin asks as he watches Stephanie take a passionate embrace with her visitor.

“I-I Ne-Need Yo-you a-at Ma-dison head-quarters now!” David says still shaking and grabbing a cigarette.

“What did you do?” Kevin asks sensing the trembling from David.

“Ju-just hurry…o, okay,” David says hanging up the phone and frantically puffing his cigarette as he stared at the bloody corpse of Clint Madison. Kevin takes one last look up at Stephanie and sees she will be occupied for a while. He starts up is 2000 silver Ford F-150 and drives across town to Madison Enterprises Headquarters.

Kevin hurriedly goes up the stairs not wanting to wait for the elevator. He goes to the top floor and rushes into the office. When he arrives he sees David, cowering in a corner appearing more like a frightened child than a grown man. Kevin quickly turns his head to the right and sees the bloody mess that was his boss, Clint Madison.

“H-He wouldn't give M-Me the respect I-I deserved so I-I Ki-Killed the arrogant pig!” David says extinguishing his smoke on the gray marbled floor. Kevin stares in disbelief at both David who is just a mess and Clint who is dead. He knew David was as good as dead. It wouldn't take twenty minutes for one of Clint’s men to slaughter him after the news broke. He couldn't bear to see what would happen to his best friend at their hands. As the sirens wail in the not too far distance, Kevin makes a life-altering decision.

“David, stand up and go. Wear Clint’s trench coat he keeps in his closet to cover yourself.” Kevin says calmly.

“But Wh-What about you?” David asks staggering to his feet.

“I’ll be fine. Now go!” Kevin says raising his voice slightly.

“Bu…” David begins to say.

“Just GO!” Kevin shouts. David quickly grabs the coat and runs as fast as possible down the stairs and out the back door. Moments later, Police flood the headquarters to see what was an open and shut case. Kevin had grabbed the Letter opener to put his fingerprints on it and stood there. He took full responsibility for what David had done.

After a lengthy interrogation, Police Chief Ray Walker decided he wasn't going to get anything but Kevin confessing. Nobody believed it was him, the blood splatter had shown it was a violent and messy struggle, Kevin’s clothes were clean. Ray tried scaring Kevin into confessing the truth, but Kevin didn't scare easily. After six hours of endless pestering and mind games, Ray gave up and they had no other choice but to lock Kevin up for the murder of Clint Madison. That was it, Kevin went to prison for the murder of Clint Madison, and the lives of himself, David, and Stephanie all changed in that one instant.

In the wake of her father’s murder, Stephanie took the reins of Madison Enterprises. While she did not share her father’s love of criminal activities, she was more than willing to see to it that Kevin met his appointed fate. David swore up and down to her that it wasn't Kevin, but he also wouldn't tell her who it was. Trouble was, Stephanie didn't respect David, and he was a weak simple-minded degenerate with no respect, honor, or loyalty. He was just out for the easy score.

David harbored ill will towards Kevin for his decision that night. The murder of Clint was supposed to be his defining moment. The moment that would make Stephanie see him as a dangerous and vicious man. A moment that would make him just as feared throughout the Madison Enterprise as Kevin was. Instead, Kevin took that from him as well, deciding it’d be him to take the fall for the murder. This sent David on a downward spiral into more drugs, booze, and, loose women. David had a great mind for movies, but a lousy mind for people. He hated Kevin for taking his one moment from him and swore he’d get even with him.

As for Kevin, he sat in a prison cell by himself, never talking to anyone. He’d read a lot, when he wasn't looking over his shoulder, he knew Stephanie would stop at nothing to have him killed. Getting a prisoner who's serving a life sentence regardless of how good he is would be nothing to have him walk up to Kevin in the shower or at lunch and end his life. Kevin understood that so he was in a fight to just stay alive every hour of every day.

Several attempts were made at ending his life. One day as Kevin showered, a prisoner known only as “Apollo” jumped him along with five other prisoners. Kevin was able to fight them off due to his knowledge of martial arts, but it was just barely as they managed to cut him with a razor slipped to them by one of the guards who was on Stephanie’s payroll. That was just one incident, there were four others similar to this attack. Kevin somehow through guts determination and even perhaps divine intervention was able to stay alive.

It’s ironic what you learn about people as you study their criminal activities. Ray spent months even years of his career watching Kevin, never in a million years did he think he was capable of such violence. Kevin’s job was really simple and was his job from the time he was born basically, keep Stephanie safe. If some boy gave her a hard time in school, Kevin roughed him up. If someone didn't appreciate Stephanie’s cheer-leading talents, he totaled their car. Kevin was loyal to Clint from the time he came out of his mother’s womb, he would never kill his boss, for anything. Ray searched endlessly for a single clue, then he found it.

In going through the evidence for what felt like the millionth time, Ray came across two cigarette butts, one was in the ashtray and the other was on the floor. Kevin didn't smoke or drink, he was much too sophisticated to indulge in such rubbish. Clint was a long-time smoker true, but It was either a cigar or a pipe nothing else. There was someone in that room with Clint and Kevin, Ray sent the butts to be examined. When the results came back, it was discovered that the saliva on the butt matched, David’s…who had been arrested multiple times for DUI. Getting this information, Ray, who was now on the Madison payroll, rushed to his employer to share the news with her. While Stephanie wasn't certain, Kevin was innocent, it left the door open. She decided to lighten up her grip on Kevin, she’d simply bribe the parole board to let Kevin walk in his next hearing.

It took ten years, but Kevin was finally up for parole. He didn't hold much hope though, due to the attempts on his life he spent a lot of time in the hole and the gruesomeness of the murder of Clint was so much so that getting out was almost impossible. Kevin sat calmly, not expecting any miracles as he awaited the board’s decision. He couldn’t help but laugh as the panel of five made busy conversation in an attempt to make him sweat. The decision had already been made before Kevin even walked through the door, he wasn’t sure who they thought they were fooling but whatever made them happy.

“Mr. Vaughn, on the night of Saturday, April 16, 2000, you violently killed your boss. Clint Madison. You stabbed him repeatedly with a gold letter opener. However, it’s been ten years since that horrific night, and it has come to the board’s attention you have behaved well. So, it is with some hesitance we grant you your release Mr. Vaughn as of today, April 16, 2010 you are a free man.” The parole lady says smacking her hammer down. Kevin chuckled and walked up to get his papers; he was now a free man.

As Kevin walked out of the huge penitentiary he shook the guard’s hands coldly and calmly walked out. He breathed a deep breath of fresh air for the first time in ten long years and watched as a mother held her daughter’s hand across the street. He was fairly muscular by this time, after all, ten years in prison all he had to do was read, eat and the workout wasn't a whole lot of anything else going on. He scratched at his thick goatee and rubbed his buzzed head and smiled. The sun beat down harshly on him, so he removes his black blazer jacket and removes his white button-down shirt, leaving him in just a red tank top.

“Hi, Mister!” The little girl says happily, not knowing who he was. Kevin smiles down at her and gives her a friendly hello.

Just as he begins thinking about what his future holds, a long black hummer limousine pulls up beside him slowly.

“Get in!” A sharply dressed man with a thick mustache says in a demanding tone to Kevin.

“That was fast.” Kevin thinks to himself as he gets into the limo.

“Miss. Madison has requested your presence at her Compound.” The slender man says in a monotone voice.

“Couldn't she have sent a letter?” Kevin says with a slight hint of sarcasm.

“We got to kill this guy?” A heavyset clean-shaven man asks pulling his magnum from its holster.

“Try it and I’ll bite your face off!” Kevin says staring him down.

“Alright, alright fellas, take it easy we’re all friends here.” The man with the mustache says as he pours a glass of scotch.

About twenty minutes later, they arrive at Stephanie’s luxurious oceanfront compound. Kevin opens his door first as the other two-step out and walk behind him towards the huge white French doors. They open the door and tell Kevin to walk in. Once inside, Kevin is met by two more guards. One was well built and had a scar over his left eye with no hair and a chin strap goatee. The other had thick short blond hair was clean-shaven and had ice blue eyes that seemed to be staring through Kevin. They lead him down the long corridor which is decorated with fine artworks such as paintings, a Knight sculpture, and an ancient Chinese Vase. Moments later they arrived at a large dark oak door. They opened it and just as Kevin had presumed, there was Stephanie sitting behind a large metal desk in a huge black leather chair.

“How nice of you to join us, Mr. Vaughn,” Stephanie says in a cold monotone voice.

“That will be all gentleman, Mr. Vaughn and I need to discuss matters…privately,” Stephanie says casting a fierce stare towards her crew members. Kevin sits down across from her and awaits his fate.

“I suppose you’re wondering why you’re here?” Stephanie says as she glares deeply into Kevin’s dark green eyes.

“I have an idea,” Kevin says knowing the way the Madison Empire dealt with murderers of their own was an eye for an eye.

“You think I’m going to kill you?” Stephanie asks amused.

“That’s generally how things work around this line of work, so yes I do,” Kevin says with a certain level of defiance.

“You should also know that if I truly wanted you dead, you’d have been killed in prison,” Stephanie says chillingly.

“You see, Kevin, my father trusted you. He not only trusted you, but he also trusted you to protect…me. Stephanie says getting up from her desk and revealing the fact she was fully aware of Kevin’s stakeouts.

“You see all my life you've been there. Beating up ex-boyfriend’s, spreading filthy rumors about any other girl who was nasty towards me, and any other time I had a problem, you dealt with it. See at first, I like everyone else, thought you had killed my father, but when I really thought about it, you’d be the last person I’d expect to do something so…cowardly.” Stephanie says narrowing her eyes at Kevin.

“Well, hate to break it to you Steph, but that’s how it went down,” Kevin says plainly.

“Don’t insult my intelligence…and it’s Miss. Madison.” Stephanie says correcting Kevin.

“You think I am a fool, Kevin?” Stephanie asks raising her voice slightly.

“My father adored you. You know how many times I heard the Kevin would be great for your lecture?” Stephanie says amused.

“He thought I’d be perfect for you?” Kevin asks also amused.

“Yes. You see, you were everything my father loved about his world. You’re confident, strong, calculating, loyal, trusting, and compassionate when needed. His murder, his murder was not the act of a man with those traits.” Stephanie says clearly struggling with the loss of her father still.

“No, his death was the act of a coward, a loser, a traitor,” Stephanie says raising her eyebrows.

“I’m asking you, not as the head of Madison Enterprises, but as a friend, tell me who killed my father,” Stephanie says with some bass in her voice. Kevin breaths deeply and exhales slowly. It pained him to see Stephanie like this, as odd as it seems, watching her all those years he developed some very genuine feelings for the woman. That’s why it hurt so much that he couldn't tell her who did it.

“I’m sorry, I can’t,” Kevin says standing.

“haha, you see it’s that loyalty that kept you alive,” Stephanie says smiling and shaking her head.

“You see Kevin, in the ten years you were gone, things have changed,” Stephanie says sitting down.

“Have a seat, this discussion is far from over,” Stephanie says pointing to the black leather chair in front of her desk.

“Three months after the murder of my dad, the press was all over it. They reported you did it. I hired a private investigator to dig deeper, the lies these media outlets report are no more accurate than the National Enquirer. There was another man in that room with my dad and you. It was David.” Stephanie says her eyes noticeably filling with anger at the mention of the name David.

“In your time away, David started his own little entourage,” Stephanie says slightly amused.

“A group of rebels who want nothing but women, blood, and violence. They’re reckless fools. Yet they pose a severe problem, you see they have some pull with local law enforcement, true I could just raise the price and put them out, but it’s much more fun to allow David to think he’s accomplished something. You see, David is no different than the selected men I have toyed with for personal gain most of my life. He’s my little spider desperately swimming in the toilet, and just when he gets close to escaping, I’m going to flush it.” Stephanie says with an almost sinister smirk.

“Now, I could use your help,” Stephanie says plainly. Kevin stares blankly for a moment. It was a hard decision, Clint had been like a father to him, had shown him how to make a living, and always made him feel welcome at his home. David was his best friend, nothing had changed that, even if David was running around with a rival group, he still was loyal to his friend.

“I’m sorry,” Kevin says standing.

“Ha, don’t be, you’re loyal to a fault Mr. Vaughn, if you should change your mind the door here is always open,” Stephanie says with a warm smile.

“Oh, one other thing, take these, you have a new house about three miles from here. One of my men will give you a ride” Stephanie says tossing Kevin some keys.

“It’s the biggest house on the block, consider it an apology, you know for trying to have you killed and all,” Stephanie says laughing.

“Thanks,” Kevin says smiling back at her before exiting her office.

Kevin again gets into the Hummer Limousine and is driven to his luxurious home located in the classier part of New York City. He gets out and walks into the stone estate. It has everything he could dream of, all hardwood floors, a huge flat screen High-Definition television, white leather furniture, a gorgeous dark redwood dining table, a brick fireplace a spiral staircase, and of course appliances such as a refrigerator, stove, and a dishwasher. Kevin goes upstairs to his room and notices an envelope on his bed. He opens it before sitting at the edge of the bed. There is a hefty amount of money, looks to be at least twenty grand.

“Hi Kevin, this is Stephanie. By now we have met and talked. The money in cased is a small payback for all that you've done for my father and me. I’m going to assume you want to become a normal man and that’s okay. You spent much of your life devoted to Madison Enterprises and I’m a big girl now, I don’t need your protection. It was far too hard for me to express these feelings to your face. I am a strong woman but even I have felt the loss of my dad fully. My father would often tell me stories of how noble, strong, and faithful you were; He would joke about how frustrating it must have been for someone being as handsome as you do not have much time to explore the realms of manhood, due to the fact you were taking care of me. He said he thought for sure after a month you’d come to him and beg to be relieved of your duties. Instead, you stood by your word, always protecting me always watching me…even when I was undressed or in a compromised position so to speak. I understand you’re loyalty to, David. I am asking you to understand my position as well, he killed my father, and I can’t let that go. So now in turn for protecting me, I’m going to attempt to protect you. Stay out of my way, I will not stop until David is dead, if this includes killing you, then I guess that’s what will have to be done. I do not want to, so please, do not make me have to. Sincerely Stephanie Madison”

Kevin shakes his head and puts the letter on his nightstand. He knew Stephanie meant every word she said in that letter, killing him wasn't something she’d enjoy, but if it was him standing in the way of her vengeance for her father, he’d become a casualty one way or another.

Kevin wanted to stay out of trouble, he had spent ten years in prison and was in no hurry to go back. He knew the war between Madison Enterprises and whatever David’s crew was calling themselves would be bloody and violent. It wasn't easy for him to decide to remain out of it, he felt like he was going back on his promise to Clint to protect Stephanie, at the same time, David was his best friend, and he couldn't just turn on him. Kevin couldn't help but laugh, if it were Clint in Stephanie’s shoes, Clint would have Kevin killed for betraying the family. He wasn't sure why, but he felt Stephanie cared about him. Maybe it was all those years he watched her, maybe she felt like she owed him, maybe it was his loyalty to her father, and perhaps she even liked him in an intimate way. Whatever the case, she spared him, and he’d be remiss if he did not appreciate the respect she showed him.

About a month goes by, Kevin keeps in touch with Stephanie but nothing major, just made sure she was okay. He keeps himself pretty much clean as far as any criminal activity was concerned. He got himself a job at a construction company and was becoming a legitimate normal everyday kind of guy. One day while on lunch break, Kevin bumps into David. David had changed since that night so many years ago. He was now bald and had a full beard. He was still in a bright red suit and had that unmistakable charm that had led him to many actresses and many less than innocent auditions with them as well. Kevin noticed something else too, David gave him the coldest of glares as he walked in.

“Hey, buddy! How are ya?” David shouts with a fake amount of enthusiasm.

“Okay…How are you?” Kevin asks sensing David’s phoniness.

“You kidding? Look at these!” David shouts before slapping the backsides of two extremely attractive blondes.

“Guess you’re doing just fine then,” Kevin says before ordering his lunch.

“So, ten years in the slammer, I bet you’re just aching to have some fun aren't ya buddy?” David says slapping Kevin in the back.

“You could say that,” Kevin says with a chuckle.

“I tell you what, for old time’s sake, I’ll let you have these two. Don’t worry they won’t bite unless you’re into that kind of thing.” David says laughing.

“That’s very generous, but I have work right now,” Kevin says handing the waitress a twenty for his lunch.

“Okay, well you’re my best friend so I tell you what, swing by my office, it’s located on the corner of East 50th street a huge pink building. I got the finest…selection in town.” David says with a nudge.

“Ha, ha alright, I’ll stop by after work,” Kevin says finding David’s behavior just a tad strange.

“Wonderful. Told ya ladies, my friend’s a good boy, oh I know they suck in bed but that’s what you have me for!” David says slapping their behinds again and walking away.

As promised, Kevin went to David’s office after work. He showered and changed into a sharp pinstriped suit. He had bought a black 2010 Dodge Viper with the money Stephanie had given him plus some of the cash he still had in the bank. He then heads to David’s office. Once he arrives Davis is shooting a scene but stops as soon as he sees Kevin.

“Whew! Always knew how to dress Kev!” David says walking towards Kevin and giving him a disingenuous hug.

“Hey girls, look at my friend huh? Isn’t he looking sharp?” David says introducing his hoard of eye candy to Kevin.

“Wow, he certainly is.” They all say as if they are programmed sheep.

“So, who’s the lucky lady, wait it’s been what ten years right?” David asks.

“Yeah,” Kevin responds dryly.

“Okay in that case take two,” David says with a loud obnoxious laugh.

“That’s okay, really,” Kevin says almost embarrassed.

“Oh, that’s right, straight-laced Kevin. Well, I’m a generous guy, Lisa, Jenny why don’t you ladies escort my good friend here home and show him the benefits of being a bit...loose.” David says pointing to two attractive women. One was a redhead with an hourglass figure and the other was a brunette who had a very fit and trimmed physique.

“Take it easy on him girls, you’re raunchiness might be too much for this straight-laced bum huh!” David says playfully elbowing Kevin.

“You’re the boss.” The ladies say with smiles.

“Yeah that’s right, now go have a great time!” David says with a grin. Kevin sensing this was a losing battle, reluctantly agrees to allow both Lisa and Jenny to escort him to his home. As Kevin turns and walks away, David rubs his hands together with a sinister smile, Kevin had just allowed his plan to start.

Once home, Kevin handed both girls 20 grand and told them to dissociate themselves with David as quickly as possible and find a better way to make a living. Like most women in that line of work, the girls were about money and the fact they made three times what David was paying them without having to fulfill the kinky desires of a man was even better, they gladly took the money and Kevin never saw them again. Kevin was not a prototypical gangster, any woman he was with and in his lifetime there were only two, Rebecca Johnson and Pamela Martin, he had genuine feelings for. Once he got David's perverse desire for him to encounter two women at once out of the way he showered and headed to work, it was going to be just another day. Later that night, Kevin gets undressed after a long hard day of working on the site and closes his eyes. An hour later he is awoken by a chain smacking against his mid-section. Startled and dazed he begins to fight back but it appears there are multiple attackers. They violently attack him, stomping and using a chain and steel pipe. He sees the faces of his attackers. One has green spiked hair with an exceptionally long and ridiculous looking goatee. Another had one single strip of hair going from the front of his head to the back with a mustache. The other was covered in tattoos, had bushy eyebrows and a long mustache that looked like handlebars to a motorcycle, he appeared to be in charge of the other two. Three hours later Kevin was being rushed to the hospital, he had been beaten unconscious.

Kevin was beaten into a coma. He hears the doctors talking but everything is kind of a blur to him, he’s unable to make out what they’re saying. He’s in a lot of pain but can’t express this to anyone, the mind is willing, but the body isn't able. He can feel the doctors poking at him and sticking him with needles and Intravenous’ it’s an uncomfortable feeling but one he must deal with. About three hours later, he hears perhaps the last thing he’d expect to hear…Stephanie’s voice.

“You look terrible.” She says walking in and sitting beside him. Kevin was shocked yet relieved to hear a friendly voice. He’d never admit it, but it was scary to be in a hospital, he only knew it was a hospital because he heard doctor’s lingo and felt needles being entered into him every hour alone. Stephanie spends the rest of the night talking off and on to Kevin. He is able to hear but unable to respond.

Stephanie visits him every day. Kevin is announced dead by the papers. His injuries were so severe and being in a coma, nobody thought he’d make it back. Plus, Stephanie, who found out via news report, demanded they report him as dead to avoid any more attempts on his life. She knew who was responsible, it was a message being sent to her from David, and she would retaliate when the time was right. Right now, her biggest concern was Kevin. She felt remorse, she knew David would attack Kevin first chance he got and now Kevin lay helpless in a dark and secluded hospital room. Kevin could hear everything, including that it was David’s crew that put him in the spot, to begin with. He figured as much and was kicking himself, the women that evening were planted, they knew where he lived, and David had his goons attack him in hopes of killing him. Unfortunately for David, his crew had failed to kill one of Madison Enterprises' most dangerous and calculating enforcers.

In his comatose state, Kevin flashes back to the night David killed Clint. He couldn't help but wonder if that night had led him to this spot tonight. David was always so insecure; he had an inferiority complex when it came to Kevin. Kevin was very much Clint’s ideal enforcer. Strong, intimidating. Cold, calculating, and loyal. David, David was an outcast, his love for women, booze, and drugs made him unreliable. It was only because of his friendship with Kevin he was allowed to do anything for Madison Enterprises. Of course, Kevin had to take responsibility whenever Davis would screw up, but they were typically minor mess-ups like messing around with one of the guys’ broads or ripping off one of his hookers, just small stupid things. Kevin’s heart monitor began to increase as he thought to all these things. Who was David to put him in this predicament? After everything he had done for him, not that Kevin ever expected anything in return, it was the fact that even that night Kevin saved David from a sure demise. After the anger subsided and his heart monitor returned to normal, a cold harsh reality set in, Kevin being who he had to kill David. It was clear that the night he chose to cover for David’s cowardly actions was a turning point. He couldn't help but wonder if maybe that night, a piece of David died as well. Whatever it was, he and David were now on a collision course. So as Kevin lay in a coma his thoughts of revenge-fueled him, his anger drove him. He was going to come out of this, then once healed completely, David would meet the fate, and he had tried to save him from so desperately so many years ago.

It’s about one in the morning on a rainy April night. The hospital is considerably quiet. Stephanie is sitting on the dark blue love seat set against the wall of Kevin’s room. Kevin is directly in front of her, laying in his bed alert to the sounds of his heart monitor and the nurse telling Stephanie to go home and get some rest that it was only time before Kevin was gone. Stephanie refuses, she couldn't put her finger on it, but something in the air was different. Every night for the last month she’d sit in Kevin’s room, but even she felt that it was hopeless. A cold, heavy feeling filled the room; tonight, tonight there was a sense of warmth, almost comfort with-in the room. Perhaps it was the sound of the raindrops hitting the window as she read her book. Maybe it was the single light shining brightly on Kevin’s face which gave him an almost ghostly complexion. Whatever the case was, something different was in the air, and Stephanie for the first time in months had hope that Kevin was going to fight out of his vegetative state.

At two AM sharp, Kevin’s finger twitched. It was the first signs of life from his massive body in two months. Stephanie is asleep on the love seat. His finger twitches again, this time with enough strength to knock off his pulse oximeter. As his lifeline goes flat, doctors and nurses rush to the room, Stephanie awakes alarmed as she sees doctors surrounding swarming Kevin. Kevin opens his eyes just as they prepare to bring him to the morgue. Everything is blurry for a few moments but he’s able to see. Stephanie smiles warmly at him, a smile which he returns.

“Welcome back!” Stephanie says stroking his somewhat long hair.

“Yeah,” Kevin replies weakly. Slowly but surely, Kevin regains enough strength to talk. He begins to eat regularly and is able to keep the food down. He spends the next two weeks in the hospital, he was presumed dead by even the most knowledgeable doctors, so they wanted to make sure he was stable, and this wasn't fool’s gold.

After the two weeks conclude, Kevin has shown enough strength to go home. Stephanie tells him it’s too dangerous to go back to his house. She takes him with her to her heavily guarded compound. While David’s gang was violent and ruthless, they were undisciplined and relied on ambushes, they would never go into a situation where they weren't favored by numbers. This left Stephanie’s compound off-limits; it was guarded twenty-four-seven by anywhere from twenty to thirty armed guards. Stephanie felt indebted to Kevin. She knew how her father felt about him, she also knew it had to of been difficult to be attached to someone while sacrificing his own personal time. She would care for Kevin as a small token of appreciation for all the nights he spent watching her from his truck.

The first month is tough for Kevin. He struggles to get out of bed, his body was weak, and he fatigued easily. Still, he fought through the pain and fatigue. His injuries from the attack were fully healed, but his muscles were so inactive for so long that his endurance and strength were almost nonexistent. Stephanie watches and almost admires his will. Her father had always told her that Kevin was like the foundation of a well-built building, made of only the strongest materials and its bars would bend but were nearly impossible to break. She was seeing that steel heart determination for herself. She’d watch as Kevin would get furious at himself and his body for being so weak. He cussed himself out regularly. He was fueled by his anger towards David, the night he was attacked, David severed all ties with Kevin and now he was beginning the slow process of getting back.

Throughout all the trials and tribulations, Kevin has endured, Stephanie stands by his side, she watches as he goes from struggling just to get vertical, to being able to snap a 2x4 in half with several rapid punches. In this time, her admiration turns to love. She had never met someone like him, her father had made Kevin seem like a hero of folklore, there was no way he was strong and noble as her father made him sound. Yet here he was, four months out of the coma, powerful, determined, and driven. He had lost a man who was like a second father to him, he had spent ten years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, he had spent two months in a coma, now he was at her estate still strong showing no signs of stress or betrayal. She was amazed by him, as he was her. He had spent a good amount of his youth watching over her, I suppose it‘d be tough not to grow attached to someone while doing that. He had seen her go from a pretty and at times manipulative young woman, to a gorgeous powerful woman.

Late one night, Kevin is outside, it‘s a cool night and the moon lights up the ocean beautifully. He was thinking about everything leading up to this point. The night almost eleven years ago, his time in prison, his coma, the loss of Clint and his father, and now the betrayal of his best and most trusted friend. The waves crash against the sand and slightly touch Kevin’s bare feet as he stares into the empty ocean. He’s startled by a hand placed on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry, I didn't mean to startle you,” Stephanie says with a smile.

“Would you like company?” She asks politely.

“Sure,” Kevin says looking up at her.

“What’s on your mind?” She asks seeing the distressed look on his face.

“A lot of things. It’s been a hard decade of change.” Kevin says while drawing a line in the sand.

“That it has. You've remained strong though.” She says with a friendly brush of his cheek.

“Had no choice. People rely on me for strength. Not as seamless as I make it appear though.” Kevin says in a light whisper.

“My father died twelve years ago, my mother needed me, then she took off with some salesman and haven’t heard from her since. Then I get a late-night phone call from David, who tells me he needs me to help him at Madison Headquarters. I get there and see…Clint, dead. I take the blame and waste ten years of my life for something I didn't do. I get out and try to change yet late one night Dave sends me home with a few of his hookers and I send the next two months in a coma.” Kevin says growing angry. Stephanie turns his head to face her before placing a deep kiss on him. She stops and stares deep into his eyes and smiles warmly before kissing him again.

The next morning Kevin awakes in Stephanie’s bed next to her. He felt better than he had in an awfully long time. He supposed it was a culmination of a lifetime more a less that allowed him and Stephanie to engage in their encounter last night. He strokes her dark hair gently as she awakes and smiles up at him.

“I’m going to kill him,” Kevin says looking deep at Stephanie.

“You’re sure you want to do that?” Stephanie asks placing a tender kiss onto his bare chest.

“He’s given me no other choice,” Kevin says as he gets up.

“I have others to take care of this, you don’t have to,” Stephanie says as she gets to her knees and rests her head comfortably on his shoulder.

“Ha-ha. You’re scared aren't you?” Kevin asks looking over at her.

“It’s just, you just came out of a coma, and then there’s last night,” Stephanie says with a beaming smile.

“Yeah and I’d assume that you know by now I’m back to full strength,” Kevin says with a wink in an attempt to calm her nerves.

“I just…I just can’t stand losing someone else close to me,” Stephanie says with a tear in her eye.

“Well don’t worry, his gang is a bunch of cartoon characters, there are four of them I’ll be fine. Okay?” Kevin says kissing her forehead.

“My father was right; you don’t give up easily.” She says with a smile of admiration.

“No, I don’t. Besides either way he’s dead, I might as well be the one to do it.” Kevin says before hopping in the shower.

It wasn't so much he wanted to kill David; it was he had to. David had put him in a coma, and the only reason he wasn't six feet under, was because he was presumed dead. David had been reckless and stupid his entire life, now he had crossed the only person in the world that was able to save him from his demons.

While Kevin prepared to take out David’s gang. David was partying harder than he ever had. He was idolized by his faction, they thought he was a superhero for killing the “legendary” Kevin Vaughn. Finally, David got his gratification after being inferior to Kevin for so many years. David was surrounded by people who, as David had once thought of, now others thought he was the greatest man on earth. David was what these hoodlums aspired to be, he had money, women a big house, fancy cars bright suits everything they wanted he owned. It was a shame though, none of it was real. David had surrounded himself with materialistic possessions. That’s how he lived, he wasn't able to have a caring relationship with one woman, it was all about quantity with him, not quality. As David partied hard and became cocky as if he had the keys to the city with Kevin being dead, across the city, Kevin was training hard and preparing for his most difficult task. In many ways, this unique scenario defined both men. David was reckless, careless, and wild. Kevin was calculating, disciplined, and focused. These two contrasting men were on a collision course, a course that began at Madison Headquarters ten years ago.

Kevin and Stephanie were growing closer on a much more personal level, they had agreed that once David was taken care of, Madison Enterprises would close down for good. Both had changed so much over the years. Neither had the stomach for such hideous transgressions. Their loyalty to Clint and one another was all they had driving them to even carry out this last nasty task. Wasn't going to be easy, Kevin hadn't fully come to grips with what he was going to do. He would, he had too, David would continue to stalk and haunt him until one of them was dead. It was a cruel irony, Kevin’s last dirty deed was his hardest, and he had to kill a man that was once his best friend.

Stephanie is curled up on the couch near the fireplace reading a book. Kevin walks in wearing black pants and a black tank top. He walks over to Stephanie and kisses her deeply.

“Mmmm, that was nice,” Stephanie says as she lightly licks her lips.

“It’s time,” Kevin says before turning and heading to their room. Stephanie follows as Kevin puts on his black leather jacket.

“You’re sure?” Stephanie asks standing in the doorway.

“Yes,” Kevin replies before putting his pistol in a holster and walking out. Stephanie felt confident, her fears were gone, and Kevin had shown remarkable strength in the last week or so. He was probably even stronger than he was ten years ago. She hears the engine of the car start up and goes back to her book as Kevin speeds off.

He drove to David’s office and the lights were on, so he figured he’d announce he wasn't dead. He turned off the lights to his car and parked around the corner before sneaking onto the property. It had two street punks armed with baseball bats.

“This is too easy!” Kevin thought to himself with a chuckle as he walked up confidently to two punks.

“What in the world?!” The punks shout in shock.

“You’re supposed to be dead!” One of them says.

“Sorry to disappoint you!” Kevin says before connecting with a vile right hook right on the jawline knocking the punk out. The second one swings his bat but Kevin ducks and connects with a knee to the gut then picks up the bat and cracks it against the guy’s skull.

“Home run!” Kevin says proudly before stepping over the prone bodies of the punks carelessly.

Kevin kicks in the doors but there was no security, he assumed the other two punks were up with David in his office. Kevin stomps up the stairs very reminiscent of that night ten years ago, only this time he knows what he’s getting into. He kicks open David’s office door to see a bunch of naked hookers and David with his two other punks.

“You’re supposed to be dead!” David shouts as his eyes bulge out like a dear caught in the headlights.

“Yeah, I've heard that before,” Kevin says breathing angrily while smacking the baseball bat into the palm of his left hand.

“So, who’s up for extra innings huh fellas?” Kevin asks with a bit of a sarcastic grin.

“You little punk!” The punks shout as they charge after him. Kevin shakes his head and simply steps aside causing the two men to collide with the wall.

“Well, that was fun!” Kevin says turning his attention to David.

“Look, I got money, please don’t kill me!” David says begging.

“Don’t want your money,” Kevin says smashing one of the fluorescent pink lamps with his bat.

“You, you and you, get some clothes on and get out, Dave and I need to talk privately,” Kevin says casting an evil glare towards the hookers, who scurry to get their clothes on and run out in fear for their life.

“You tried to kill me,” Kevin says walking slowly towards David.

“That was business,” David says falling over his chair and down onto the floor.

“You should have made sure I was dead,” Kevin says stalking David who slides on his butt away from Kevin filled with fear.

“I-I just wanted to be like you!” David says beginning to cry. Kevin looks confused.

“All my life, you were my big brother. You protected me when I needed you to. You cast a big shadow though you know?” David says pulling a cigarette from his pocket.

“I never asked you to idolize me.” Kevin says coldly.

“But I did. You’re handsome, you’re strong and…you get to watch Stephanie. I've had countless women Kev, gorgeous women, women that were as filthy as I wanted them to be in bed. Yet no matter how attractive they were I always had to imagine Stephanie to, you know.” David says taking a drag of his smoke.

“You’re sick!” Kevin says stopping as David is back against a wall.

“I’m sick? You get to see her; I know you two have done it before. That should have been ME! I was supposed to be her guardian. But no when I asked, Clint said I was too weak, that I’d never have been able to do what Kevin could. That’s why I killed the old pig that night.” David says growing angry.

“He went on and on about how strong you were and loyal you were and how he’d trust only you to protect his daughter. Why not me? What’s wrong with me? Am I some sort of freak?” David says crying hard.

“Look at you David, you’re a grown man who surrounds himself with easy women and fast cars, you have no discipline. I’m sorry you felt so inferior to me, I never intended for that to happen.” Kevin says sitting in a nearby chair.

“It’s your fault I am what I am. All I ever wanted was your approval, your acceptance your…appreciation. That night, I killed him I thought Wow Kev is going to be so proud of me, I was finally a man and did what I thought was right!” David says trying to justify his reprehensible actions.

“What did you do? You took that from me too. You got the credit for it; you went to prison for it. Me? I was dismissed from Madison Enterprises and for what? Cause that high-class broad didn't like me.” David says angrily.

“Stephanie knew you killed her father David,” Kevin says glaring at his pathetic ex-friend.

“Yeah, I knew that much. I knew as soon as you got out of the joint I was as good as dead. That skank has pull all over the world.” David says regaining his composure.

“Look at you, you’re whipped my friend,” David says with a chuckle.

“Excuse me?” Kevin asks confused.

“You really love her. Now you’re here to impress her! The big bad legend Kevin Vaughn out to kill his girl’s father’s killer. Ahh, it’s a beautiful script, only it’s not going to end how you want it to David says getting to his feet.

“In my script…YOU DIE!” David says pulling a pistol from his jacket and firing several rounds, all missing Kevin who reacts swiftly to the reckless shots. David wastes almost the entire clip before tossing the gun away.

“Forget it, I don’t need bullets. I’m going to kill you myself then I’m going to go to that fancy little compound of Steph’s and finally fulfill my fantasies!” David says as Kevin stands up from behind the bar that has several bullet holes in it. Kevin steps towards David.

“Take your best shot!” Kevin says staring bravely into the wild eyes of David. David swings wildly and connects with a hard right hook to the face of Kevin, slicing his lip. Kevin spit’s a mouthful of blood out and smirks at David.

“Ahh” David shouts as Kevin grabs him by his throat.

“You never could get the job done,” Kevin says as he shoves David back against the wall and blasting him with hard body shots. Kevin then kicks him in the face busting his nose causing blood to squirt out and all over the floor.

“You broke my nose!” David says holding his nose and screaming in agony. Kevin walks over to him and head butts him in his already broken nose. David gives Kevin a low blow and whacks him with a bar stool sending him back a bit. David walks on wobbly legs and the room is blurry through his watery eyes. He swings at all three of the Kevin’s he sees and connects a couple of times. Kevin knees him in the stomach and throws him onto the ground near the gun. David sensing Kevin was just too strong for him grabs it and shoots his final bullet, it grazes Kevin and sends him down.

“NO!!!” Stephanie screams as she rushes to Kevin’s side as she had gotten worried and knew where Kevin would be.

“Well, well, what do we have here?!” David says as he walks over to Stephanie who is at Kevin’s side. Kevin is wounded badly.

“Stop, you've done enough!” Stephanie says begging for the carnage to stop.

“Shut up skank!” David says slapping her hard across the face.

“You’re to blame for all this,” David says wiping the blood from his face.

“What do you mean?” Stephanie asks holding her face.

“March 2, 1999, I asked you out on a date. You looked at me and laughed, as if I were so beneath you it was some bad joke that I dared ask you for a date.” David says tossing the blood-soaked cloth to the ground.

“That’s what this is about?” Stephanie asks confused.

“You kill my father and shoot my boyfriend all over a simple no?” Stephanie says growing angry and getting to her feet.

“Who do you think you are?” Stephanie asks before slapping David hard in the face.

“Ohhh, I like it rough!” David says before grabbing Stephanie by her throat and jacking her up against the wall.

“Let’s see what drives Kevin to do such stupid things like coming to MY office and trying to kill me!” David says manically as he begins to lift up Stephanie’s shirt.

“Mmmm very nice, I suppose if I had a shot at those I’d do some stupid stuff too!” David says with a sick smile as he grabs Stephanie’s breasts.

“Now, I think I’ll show you how a real man does it…then I’ll kill you like the waste of space you are!” David says laughing evilly.

“You just don’t learn…do you?” Kevin says standing to his feet…barely.

“Oh, will you just die!” David says dropping Stephanie and walking angrily to Kevin.

David pulls the gun but it’s empty. Kevin smirks as David’s face drains of its color.

“Look, we can talk about this, I-I wasn't going to hurt her, I-I swear, just, just hear m-me out o-okay!” David says as if the realization of what he had done just set in.

“The time for talking is over. Shooting me I could overlook that, but you put your hands-on Stephanie, in case you forgot it’s my job to protect her. “Kevin says filled with pain and anger. Kevin swings wildly connecting with David and sending him down. David scurries by the window, his face again a crimson mask,

“I created my own misery,” David says realizing his time is up.

“I’m the one chosen to put you out of it!” Kevin says releasing a fury of wild and vicious right hooks. David staggers back, his face a mess, his bright green suit torn.

“I’m…. sorry!” David says before falling back and out the window of his ten-story office. Kevin collapses as David’s screams until it stops and is followed by a car alarm going off.

“Are you alright?” Kevin asks Stephanie who rushes to his side.

“I’m fine, you?” Stephanie asks looking at the heavily bleeding wound.

“I’ll be okay. Don’t worry, it looks worse than it is, get me to the hospital I’ll get stitched up.” Kevin said with a reassuring smile.

“By the way, after tonight, I think you should wear that tight little mini skirt you have with that low cut pink tank-top I mean I did spend all my energy protecting you,” Kevin says laughing.

“I might arrange that, but with you being so weak, I don’t know,” Stephanie says smiling down at Kevin.

“Not that weak sweetheart!” Kevin says with a wink as he gets to his feet.

“You’re crazy,” Stephanie says just shaking her head.

“Yeah, love is but a temporary insanity after all,” Kevin says nodding in agreement.

“What happened to him?” a cop asks as he points to David’s lifeless blood-covered body as Kevin and Stephanie walkout.

“Fell down, went boom. Sucks to be him.” Kevin says as he gets into Steph’s limo and they drive to the nearest hospital.

A year later, Kevin and Stephanie had moved to Hawaii and left their criminal life behind them. Kevin is out by the lake throwing rocks into it.

“You okay?” Stephanie asks wrapping her arms around her new husband.

“I’ll be alright. I guess some wounds take longer to heal.” Kevin says embracing her.

“David killed himself when he killed my father. You did all you could all your life to ensure the safety of those you cared about, he was a lost and weak soul. In many ways he didn't deserve your friendship” Stephanie says kissing Kevin passionately.

“Besides, no use thinking about the past…I’m not wearing any underwear!” Stephanie says with a wide smirk before running off as Kevin chases her.

It was a bittersweet ending for Stephanie Marie Madison and Kevin Vaughn. They had a strong bond that built from childhood, a bond that no amount of money or power could break. This may seem great to some, but that was all they had, each other. Madison Enterprises was torn down three months after David’s death, the criminal empire was disbanded. Kevin’s best friend was dead in large part because of him. They were happy for the most part, but once a year they would revisit the bloodstained city to leave flowers at Both Clint Madison’s grave and even David’s. Kevin didn't know what had happened to his one-time good friend. Maybe the night he killed Clint changed him, perhaps had Kevin let the fate of David remain the same things could have ended differently. Time may heal all wounds, but the scars always show.