GiovannivfgnovelsGo
I sip whiskey from my place at the back booth of the auction floor. It's the quarterly draw, a party I throw for my associates, for lack of a better word.vfgnovelsGo
We've had a good quarter, and this is their reward.vfgnovelsGo
Every man who's walked into this room is captured by the many cameras. Every name noted. Every bid recorded in the ledger.vfgnovelsGo
Piano music sets the backdrop, the collection of voices loud over it even though most speak in whispers during the breaks in entertainment.vfgnovelsGo
These, too, are recorded, and they'll be dissected later.vfgnovelsGo
Pretty women serve drinks and anything else required of them as the stage is readied, the next girl taking her place on the raised dais.vfgnovelsGo
This one, her name is Diana or Donna or something. She looks young, but I'm assured she's legal. They like young, the men gathered here.vfgnovelsGo
She's on offer for one night only, and from the look of her, she'll bring a high bid.vfgnovelsGo
I study her face on my screen from the cameras installed behind the curtain. She's hesitant, to say the least, but Marcus handles it.vfgnovelsGo
Marcus' loan comes due tonight - and I've been more than patient so he's got some incentive to make sure she gets her sweet little ass on that stage.vfgnovelsGo
Besides, she'll be paid handsomely for her time. For the use of her body.vfgnovelsGo
I watch as she's situated on the dais that's set at the very center of the stage. The auctioneer, an old English man, takes his place behind the podium. The gong sounds as the curtains are raised and a hush falls over the room.vfgnovelsGo
The spotlight shines on the girl and she squints into the bright light, momentarily blinded. Two women peel the cream-colored cloak from her and let it drape at her feet.vfgnovelsGo
There's a swell of approving sounds from the men who are probably all sporting hard-ons for the pretty, young blonde.vfgnovelsGo
I admit, she is magnificent. Not my type, but magnificent.vfgnovelsGo
The auctioneer takes in the response and starts the bidding high.vfgnovelsGo
Good.vfgnovelsGo
Flesh comes at a cost. One these bastards can afford to pay.vfgnovelsGo
The elevator doors slide open, drawing my attention. Axel steps out and turns his gaze only momentarily to the stage. He's about as interested as I am in that girl. These women, it's too fucking easy with them.vfgnovelsGo
Donna, or whatever the fuck her name is, is probably creaming herself as she's turned, bent over, and the numbers being shouted out grow higher and higher.vfgnovelsGo
I'm more interested in the woman who's following Axel.vfgnovelsGo
Well, following isn't quite the word.vfgnovelsGo
She's got a man on either side of her and, for as small as she is, she's struggling to free herself of them.vfgnovelsGo
She turns her head this way and that as she takes in the scene. I think she gasps when her gaze falls on the exposed woman on the stage about whom the auctioneer is embellishing the virtues of a virgin ass.vfgnovelsGo
He's good.vfgnovelsGo
He's very good.vfgnovelsGo
Because her price just doubled.vfgnovelsGo
The word virgin never disappoints. I get it. There's something about being the first man to sink your cock into virgin territory.vfgnovelsGo
Marcus catches my eye from the side of the stage. He raises his glass to me.vfgnovelsGo
I raise mine back because this puts me in a good mood. It means I'll get my money tonight and I won't have to get my hands dirty for it.vfgnovelsGo
Contrary to my reputation, I don't like getting my hands dirty. I will when I need to, but this is easier. Cleaner.vfgnovelsGo
Axel reaches my table and clears his throat.vfgnovelsGo
I turn to him. He gestures to the girl to be brought forward.vfgnovelsGo
"Ms. Williams. Ciara's sister," he says, sounding almost bored.vfgnovelsGo
I shift my gaze to meet the girl's frightened one and all I can think for a moment is how her almond-shaped eyes match the color in my glass so perfectly.vfgnovelsGo
Whiskey eyes.vfgnovelsGo
Pretty. Very pretty.vfgnovelsGo
With smooth olive skin and hair so dark it's almost black.vfgnovelsGo
The photo I saw didn't do her justice.vfgnovelsGo
"Let her go. She's not going anywhere, are you, sweetheart?"vfgnovelsGo
I don't expect an answer.vfgnovelsGo
When they release her, she brings the huge bag that was apparently on her shoulder in front of her.vfgnovelsGo
She's clutching it like armor between herself and me.vfgnovelsGo
"Get rid of that." I gesture with a quick nod of my head to the tote. I want to see the rest of her.vfgnovelsGo
When one of the men reaches to take it, she pulls back, hisses at him.vfgnovelsGo
Actually hisses.vfgnovelsGo
I chuckle, sip from my glass, and watch, surprised to be entertained.vfgnovelsGo
In the background, I register the gavel coming down once. Twice.vfgnovelsGo
The number is making me very happy.vfgnovelsGo
When the bag is gone, she looks back at me, her face flushed. She doesn't seem to know what to do with her hands but eventually closes her fingers over the back of the chair in front of her.vfgnovelsGo
At least she's not making a spectacle of herself. Not yet, anyway. Not that anyone here would help her if she made a run for it.vfgnovelsGo
She's wearing a heavy jacket.vfgnovelsGo
Too heavy for this time of year.vfgnovelsGo
"Sit."vfgnovelsGo
"Are you Mr. Giovanni? I think there's been a mistake."vfgnovelsGo
"Sit."vfgnovelsGo
Axel mutters a curse under his breath, takes her arm, pulls out the chair she's gripping and puts her in it.vfgnovelsGo
"That's better," I say.vfgnovelsGo
He stands to the side, leaning against the wall, arms folded across his chest. His eyes narrow as he scans the crowd and they fall on one man in particular.vfgnovelsGo
I look at the man, make note of who it is.vfgnovelsGo
"Errand?" I ask him.vfgnovelsGo
He turns to me, gives me one brief nod.vfgnovelsGo
"I'll take care of this," I say to him. "Go."vfgnovelsGo
He looks at me. "You sure?"vfgnovelsGo
I glance at the pretty girl sitting stiffly across from me and give him a one-sided grin. "I don't think Ms. Williams will give me any trouble, will you?"vfgnovelsGo
She just stares at me.vfgnovelsGo
Axel chuckles. He makes his way through the crowd and it's like the parting of the sea as he approaches.vfgnovelsGo
Which is why he works for me. He's one mean son of a bitch. It's good to have him on my side.vfgnovelsGo
Makes a lot of things easier. Keeps leeches at bay.