I’m
continuing my observance of Women’s History Month by focusing on
some of my strongest and most assertive heroines. This week I have an
excerpt from Exposure, an urban thriller with romantic
elements. Stella Xanathakeos, the protagonist, is more than capable
of standing up for herself. When I went looking for an excerpt,
though, I realized I had one that featured two extraordinary
women.
Enjoy!
Blurb
Sex,
blood and betrayal: it's all in a day's work.
I
strip for the fun of it. Don’t let anyone tell you different. It’s
not the money. I could make nearly as much working at the mill and
keep my clothes on, but then I’d have to suck up to the bosses. Up
on stage, I’m the one in charge, and I like it that way.
Tony
Pinelli hired me for a private dance. I was determined to give him
his money’s worth. I didn’t expect to be caught in the cross-fire
of a double murder. When his widow shows up at my door, I know I’m
in way over my head. Now I’m everyone’s target. I can’t trust
anyone – not even the police detective who was sweet on me in high
school. My only chance at survival is to shift through the lies and
expose the truth.
The
Hook
Francesca
waits quietly while the media people rearrange themselves and adjust
their equipment. Then, when they’ve settled down, she waits a
moment longer, scanning the crowd, looking elegant and serious.
I
have to admire her showmanship. By the time she begins to speak, she
has the attention of everyone, even the technicians squatting in the
doors of the mobile studio vans.
“Ladies
and gentlemen. Thank you for taking the time to join us on this raw
and stormy afternoon. I won’t keep you long.
“As
you all know, my husband Anthony Pinelli wanted to serve this city as
its mayor. Pittsburgh was his birthplace. It nurtured him, educated
him, made him wealthy and successful. It gave him opportunities and
benefits that he could not have found anywhere else. Tony Pinelli
wanted to give some of this back to the city he loved. That was his
most cherished dream.
“Tony’s
tragic death has shocked us all.” Francesca allows a quaver into
her voice. I’m impressed. She really knows how to work the crowd.
She pauses and swallows hard, as if resisting tears. Her voice is
calm and forceful when she continues. “As his wife and partner, I
am determined not to allow his dream to die with him. That is why,
today, I am announcing my own candidacy for the position of mayor. I
am determined that, even though Tony has left us, the next person to
preside over the administration of this fine city will be Mayor
Pinelli.”
The
crowd erupts in enthusiastic applause. I find that I’m clapping
myself. The hubbub continues for quite a while. Francesca holds up
her hand, asking for quiet.
“During
the remaining weeks of the campaign, I will be sharing with you my
vision—Tony’s vision—for this city. Assisting me with this task
will be my press secretary, Ms. Stella Xanathakeos. Like Tony and me,
Stella was born here. She knows the problems and the aspirations of
the ordinary people of Pittsburgh. She will help me to explain why a
vote for me is a vote for a bright, secure and prosperous future—for
all of us.”
Francesca
turns to me. “Stella, would you like to say a few words?”
Expectantly, the cameras and microphones swing in my direction.
I’m
not entirely unprepared. It was reasonable that Francesca would want
me to speak. Still, I have a moment of panic. I’m a performer, but
words are not my usual instrument.
I
pause for a moment, take a deep breath and survey my audience. They
are mostly male, though I recognize the blonde bob and creamy
complexion of Teresa Kelly, the Channel 5 news anchor. I remind
myself that in this situation, my sexuality is a liability. Just in
time, I remember not to lick my lips. I clasp my hands in front of me
to keep them out of trouble.
“Ladies
and gentlemen, I’m proud to be standing here today, next to this
brave woman. When you lose someone you love, your first impulse is to
just give up. You want to crawl into a hole and die yourself. I know
this, from my own experience.” I pause, looking out over the
attentive faces. I hope that they’re not just paying attention to
my tits.
“Francesca
Pinelli isn’t giving up, though. That’s not the sort of person
she is. She was her husband’s closest aide. She understands his
goals and his plans for Pittsburgh. And she’s determined to turn
those plans into reality, regardless of her personal pain.
“As
for me, I’m just an ordinary person. My mother died when I was six.
My father was an immigrant who worked hard all his life to support
me. He had to fight against discrimination, and sleazy bosses, and
government by the rich for the rich. I’ve worked hard, too. It’s
an uphill battle for most of us in this city. I believe that
Francesca Pinelli wants to make that battle easier. What’s more
important, I believe that she can.”
I
am startled when people begin to applaud. Francesca face wears a
broad smile as she steps forward and reclaims the attention of the
crowd.
“A
few questions, Ms. Pinelli!” shouts someone from the crowd. “Don’t
go yet!” echoes another voice. “Give us a chance!”
The
crowd presses toward us, waving microphones in our faces and
effectively trapping us on the stairs. Somebody opens an oversized
umbrella and holds it over our heads.
“Very
well, we can take a few questions. No more than five minutes, though,
or we’ll all be drenched.” A few more umbrellas open. The media
people push closer to hear us against the wind.
“Ms.
Pinelli.” The question comes from Terry Kelly. “Pittsburgh has a
reputation as a rough city. We’ve got the unions, the old industry
barons, the mob. Do you really think it can be run by a woman?”
Francesca
stands erect, looking taller than usual. “Don’t you think, Ms.
Kelly, that it is time a woman had the chance to show what she can
do?” There is scattered applause. “You probably know that Tony
was a tough guy. He wouldn’t have chosen me as his partner if I
couldn’t be just as tough, when the need arose.”
A
skinny reporter in dark-rimmed glasses steps forward with his tape
recorder. “Graham White, your opponent, has headed the City Council
for more than five years. You have no political experience. Why
should the voters choose a novice like you, over a seasoned
politician like Mr. White?”
Francesca
laughs. “No political experience? I was married to Tony Pinelli for
more than ten years, including his two terms on the council. Believe
me, I know about politics!” The audience chuckles. “On the other
hand, I don’t think this city needs a politician, as much as we
need a leader.”
“Ms.
Xanathakeos!” I’m startled to hear my name. It’s coming from a
chubby, balding guy with an unpleasant grin. “I’m sure that we
all appreciated your homily to the working class. But isn’t it true
that for the past six years your primary employment has been as an
exotic dancer?”
Gasps
and snickers come from the audience. The questioner looks pleased
with himself. So there it is. I glance over at Francesca. She looks
perfectly calm and untroubled. I straighten my back, so that my tits
thrust out a bit, and look the bald guy in the eye. I know what you
like, I think to myself. You like to dress up in your wife’s
lingerie when she’s working the late shift. That’s what I see,
though it might be my own imagination. Still, as I stare at him, he
begins to squirm and finally has to look away.
“Quite
true, Mister...?”
“Rostropovitch,”
he answers reluctantly.
“You’ve
done your research, Mr. Rostropovitch. I am indeed an exotic dancer,
as you put it. A perfectly honest line of work, and believe me, not
an easy one. Do you have some problem with that?”
“Well,
it hardly seems appropriate for a mayoral candidate to be associating
with hookers.”
Now
I am really annoyed. “A stripper is not a hooker, Mr.
Rostropovitch. In any case, I am what I said I am, a woman born and
bred in this city, who knows the problems working people here,
particularly women, face. I’m also a voter. I am definitely
qualified to give Ms. Pinelli advice and insight into these issues.”
I
give him a long cold stare that I hope makes him feel naked. “In
Francesca Pinelli’s Pittsburgh, everyone will be entitled to fair
treatment and respect—even reporters!”
Buy
Links (Ebook)
Kinky
Literature:
https://www.kinkyliterature.com/book/100-exposure-urban-erotic-noir/
Amazon
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09V19MLDR
Amazon
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09V19MLDR
Barnes
& Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/exposure-lisabet-sarai/1141122670?ean=2940165803093
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1136224
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/exposure-urban-erotic-noir
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60574045-exposure
Buy
Links (Audio Book)
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Exposure-An-Erotic-Murder-Mystery/dp/B079K627T3
Audible:
https://www.audible.com/pd/Exposure-Audiobook/B079K2828J
Be sure to visit the other authors participating in today's Book Hooks!