Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
The sight of her on her knees does something unexplainable to me.
A sob bursts from her as she holds her hands in a praying gesture, and her voice is thick with shame and desperation. “Please, I’m begging you.”
An idea pops into my mind, and when I take too long to reply, she cries, “Then how am I supposed to survive?” Kneeling in front of me, sobs begin to shudder from her.
I crouch down, and as I take in the tears wetting her cheeks and how they make her light blue eyes shine, I say, “I’ll make you a deal.”
Hope sparks to life in her stunning irises. “What kind of deal?”
Knowing she won’t be able to resist, the corner of my mouth lifts. “You will get twenty thousand dollars right now and ten thousand per month for as long as the deal lasts. You come when I call.”
A frown forms on her forehead, and when she stares at me with parted lips, I wonder how they’ll taste.
“And what do you expect me to do whenever you call?”
A grin forms on my face as my eyes devour every inch of her. “Anything I want.”
Laurie gasps, and a myriad of emotions play out over her very expressive features. Everything from terror to embarrassment to hopelessness.
Finally, with a defeated expression in her baby blues, she whispers, “Okay.”
The longer I stare at Laurie, the more my obsession grows, and knowing I’ve just caught my little butterfly makes satisfaction creep through me like a dark shadow.
Mine.
All fucking mine to do with whatever I want. I could tell her to marry me right now, and she’d probably agree.
I’m bombarded with all the things I’m going to do to her, but they’ll all have to wait.
First things first. I want to know why she’s on the fucking streets.
Chapter 7
Laurie
After I agree, Adriano stares at me for such a long while, it unnerves me completely and makes my tears come faster.
I still can’t believe the attractive man I’ve seen twice the past week owns this club. I know because I asked the old man who he is.
I almost had a damn heart attack when Adriano shouted at me. I assumed he got my name from the man with the clipboard, and he was upset because I’m up on stage in jeans and a T-shirt.
As my eyes lower, they land on the back of his hands. Seeing the word ‘KNEEL’ tattooed beneath a star with a skull, a shiver runs down my spine.
I’ve never kneeled to anyone, but God, I didn’t know what else to do.
My pride shrivels, and my self-worth takes one hell of a hit as I stay on my knees in front of this man who’s just made me a deal I couldn’t refuse.
Slowly, I dare meet his gaze again, and more shivers rush over my skin.
What the hell did I agree to, and why does he keep looking at me like he’s about to rip my throat open and drink all my blood?
Suddenly, he moves, and I startle so badly, I jerk backward and scoot on my ass across the plush carpet to get away from him.
Instead of going for me, Adriano rises to his full height and orders, “Come back here, Laurie.”
Dear God.
His voice sounds deep and rough, and just from the way he speaks, it’s clear he’s used to being obeyed.
I climb to my feet and slowly inch closer, my eyes locked on the devil I just made a deal with.
When I stop within reaching distance of him, he shakes his head and murmurs in a tone that sounds very threatening, “Closer.”
I take another step.
This time he narrows his eyes and gives me a look of warning that makes trembles rack my body.
Even though I’m shit scared, I meet his eyes and say, “First pay me the twenty thousand.”
Atta girl. Get the money before he fucks you six ways to Sunday.
The corner of his mouth twitches, and keeping my gaze imprisoned with his, he pulls his phone out of his pocket. After he unlocks the screen, he says, “Bank details.”
I give him what he needs and even repeat my account number to make sure he gets it right.
“I made an instant transfer so the funds should reflect soon,” he states as if this is a normal business transaction for him.
Shit. My phone.
I glance over my shoulder, then say, “My handbag is backstage.”
“Stay right where you are,” he orders while he types something on his device.
Silence falls in the office, and feeling more uncomfortable than I ever have in my entire life, I glance around the room.
When Adriano just keeps staring at me, I begin to fidget, twisting my fingers together while I take in the black and gold bound ledgers on the shelves and the large piece of art right behind his oak desk.
I dare a quick glance at the unnervingly attractive man, and when he still doesn’t say anything, I look at the blue water and lilies on the painting, my heart hammering anxiously against my ribs.