“Just fucking tell me, for God’s sake. What? I don’t have anything. The businesses are crap, every dollar I invested gone. I’m wiped out. But then, you already know that.”
“True, but there is something much more precious to you. Isn’t there?” I moved closer, giving him a polished smile. His confusion fueled the ache in my loins. “Your daughter.”
“I… I don’t understand.” He darted his eyes back and forth across mine.
“Caroline. She’s mine. Completely and forever to do with anything I damn well please. You’re going to help explain to her that she’s been sold to me. Now, you can do that in any manner that you like, but in forty-eight hours, I’m coming to collect.”
He spit, coughed, and his entire body began to tremble. “You aren’t serious. I can’t sell my daughter. I won’t. You’re a lunatic!”
“Oh, I’m very serious, Drummand. You’ve fucked with my family and my businesses for long enough. It’s time I f*uck with you. This is entirely your choice. If you want to run for president, thereby accepting my offer, then I’ll be the first to applaud your announcement. If you don’t show up at the press conference or simply give an innocuous announcement, then I’ll understand, and my men will be coming to collect every dime you owe me. And that money will be collected, punishment given for your infractions. And the pictures? They’ll arrive at the police station sent anonymously. I think that’s clear. Don’t you?”
Closing his eyes, he rubbed his jaw, the glass almost falling out of his hand. “You are worse than your fucking father, Dominick. You’re a demented bastard.”
“Thank you for the compliment.” I finished my drink and patted him on the shoulder. “I’ll be looking forward to your speech.” Chuckling, I dropped the glass, moving toward the door. I stopped just long enough to offer one last incentive. “I suggest you heed my warning and my request, at least if you’d like to keep your daughter alive.” I knew the words would haunt him, keeping him in line. I had no intention of harming Caroline, but I would have no trouble destroying the asshole.
Without saying another word, I walked out of the room, closing the door in order to give him some privacy. What I didn’t bother telling him was that I planned on tasting the merchandise before the deal was even finalized. The beginning of her submission. I already enjoyed the game.
As I walked back into the ballroom, I headed immediately for the lovely Caroline, bypassing her friends. They acknowledged my presence with murmurs of appreciation. I ignored them. Caroline was my prize. Tonight, I would taste her one way or the other. I waited as the girls flocked around her, fawning over her as if she could singlehandedly alter their lives.
“Where is the gallery?” the redhead asked, smiling in an alluring manner as she noticed my advance.
Caroline shrugged. “The Reynolds Gallery.”
“That’s fantastic!” the buxom blonde squealed. “I’m so proud of you.”
“We’ll see,” Caroline said under her breath.
She was very talented, but Jim Reynolds, the owner of the gallery, was a pig and had no doubt underpriced her paintings; his commission also unacceptable. The man was the king of porn, the gallery merely a front. His private art collection was his bread and butter, selling for hundreds of thousands on the overseas market. Dark kink was all the rage.
The crowd grew livelier, wait staff coming from all directions with flutes of champagne.
“I’m certain you’re very proud of your father,” I said casually.
She darted her eyes in my direction, chuckling under her breath. “He’s a brilliant man and yes, I am.”
“Who is he?” the redhead whispered, her eyes shimmering with lust.
“Fuckable,” another answered.
Caroline laughed with her friends, pretending not to pay a damn bit of attention. I wasn’t put off in the least. She had no idea what was in store for her.
I grabbed two glasses of champagne as a waiter passed, handing her one. At first, she attempted to wave it off then allowed herself to look into my eyes. When she accepted, our fingers touched and while I was no romantic by any means, there was a keen electricity jetting into my heart. My mind moved to the vile and ungodly things I wanted to do to her. “To your father’s success.”
“I appreciate that, but he’s already successful,” she stated, the command in her voice sexy as fuck. “I didn’t get your name. Are you one of his… followers?”
“Dominick Lugiano and I don’t follow anyone.” I turned my attention away from her on purpose.
“Oh. Interesting. Most people do.” There was no name recognition of any type, or if there was, she was a consummate actress.
She obviously had no idea I wasn’t ‘most people.’
“He’s hot.” The small blonde moved closer to Caroline, whispering in her ear.
“In a way,” Caroline said, yawning as if on cue.
I resisted commenting. The game was far too enticing. The crowd seemed jazzed, the music increasing in volume. Drummand was almost ready to make his appearance. My heart twitched once again, hungry for more than just a taste.
“Father is late.” Caroline had a disgusted tone in her voice.
“Only by a few minutes. Greatness takes time and I know this is a tremendous decision for him,” I offered.
“Yes, it has been. My father is a true believer in democracy.” She almost choked on her words.
“And you don’t believe?”
Caroline laughed, the sound bitter. “There is very little I believe in any longer, Mr. Lugiano.”
“Dominick. Please.” Her friends crowded around me, no doubt checking off a tick list regarding my worthiness. “And I’d be fascinated to learn more.”
A blush crept up from her neck, adorning her lovely cheeks. “Dominick,” she repeated. “And a Hargrove doesn’t air their dirty laundry. Not for anyone at any time.”
Her first subtle but very telling gesture. My dark desire was off the charts. I envisioned her naked body writhing under mine, her lovely wrists and ankles shackled.
“A wise move.”