What the hell did Knox want? Maybe he did this all the time. Checked in on his businesses. Maybe he liked lording it over the masses foolish enough to borrow money from him.
“Who are our guests?” he asked.
Guests? More like prisoners. He never spared her brother a glance even once. Knox kept his rapt attention on Leah. She hated herself for looking away first. Leah stared her hands, suddenly finding them way more interesting.
“Larry Taylor. This fucker owes us twenty grand. We gave him an opportunity of a lifetime. If he wins this one game, his debts are considered paid. He only has ten grand. Said his sister Leah will pay us the rest,” Shane said. “He claims she’s a virgin. We haven’t checked to see if it’s true, but we’ll find out soon enough.”
“Hmm.” Knox’s tone and expression were hard to read. His tanned face looked like it was made of marble.
“Yeah, boss. Look at the little shit squirm,” Guy said, obvious glee in his voice.
Guy was milking it all—Larry’s misery. Leah’s suffering and anger. If only she had a gun and knew how to use it. She would gladly put holes in his body.
“Cards, Larry. Don’t make us ask again.” Shane reminded Larry.
With shaking hands, her brother placed his cards down on the table. Shane and Guy did the same. Leah grimaced. A royal flush from Shane.
“The game’s rigged,” Leah blurted.
“Shut your trap, bitch,” Guy said, shoving the bills on the table into a bag. “We’ll find a better use for that mouth.”
“No. She’s mine.” Knox didn’t need to raise his voice. “Keep the cash. The money doesn’t interest me.”
Guy and Shane traded each other looks then shrugged.
“The bitch’s all yours, boss. Enjoy,” Guy said, rising to his feet. No questions asked.
Unease grew in the pit of Leah’s stomach. She didn’t know what was worse—being given to Guy and Shane or being under Knox Carter’s complete mercy.
“Wait, this wasn’t the deal,” Larry blurted, rising from his seat.
“Throw that piece of trash out,” Knox said in the same cold and deadly voice.
Fear raced down her spine. Leah couldn’t move a muscle. She had trouble drawing air into her lungs. She could only watch Guy and Shane haul Larry by his armpits. Larry didn’t give them much of a fight after Guy socked him in the ribs.
Helplessness filled her as she watched her brother disappear into the double doors that led topside, back to the real world.
Leah suddenly felt alone. Vulnerable. Larry wasn’t much help but at least, while he was playing poker with Guy and Shane, he acted like a barrier. The one last line of defense between Leah and her awful fate.
Maybe part of her hoped that the brother she once knew and trusted would have her back. That Larry would somehow find them a way out of there. The last shred of hope she’d kept alive inside her all this time wilted.
“We’re leaving. Come,” Knox told her.
He was suddenly standing in front of her. Knox had the gall to offer Leah his arm. The bastard moved so much faster than she thought was possible for a man his size.
She shook her head, despite knowing it was futile refusing a man like Knox.
“Don’t try my patience, Leah. I’m used to having my way.”
The sound of her name on his lips felt like a jolt to her system.
“Oh, I bet,” she murmured.
Knox didn’t look annoyed or pissed. That smile looked sexy and wrong on him. Leah had a feeling a man like him didn’t often smile but when he did, something bad was going to happen.
“You prefer to remain here?” Knox gestured to the rest of the room.
Everyone else was busy playing cards at their tables, going about their usual business. Still, Leah had a feeling Knox’s people were watching them. Waiting for her next move. There was no way out of this mess.
Leah hastily stood up only for Knox to eliminate the distance between them. Their bodies made contact. Her pulse raced when he hooked a finger under her chin and brought her face closer. He settled his lips against hers, a mere brush. Knox ran his tongue over her bottom lip. She could feel her nipples tighten against the thin material of her sweater. Moisture gathered between her legs.
She couldn’t believe the way her body was reacting. Leah shouldn’t be attracted to this man.
The next words he uttered nearly stopped her heart.
“You’re my property now. You’re mine to do as I please, but don’t worry. I’ll take good care of you.”
End of sample chapter
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