THREE

August
“You are a bastard.”
The second picture was much more devastating, exposing a secret no one knew. He’d failed miserably. His desire for young women would be his undoing.
His mouth twisted, his body swaying.
“Yes, that may be true. Here’s the thing, Drummand. I don’t give a shit what you think. I don’t give a shit about you at all, but I do believe you care about your reputation, the various businesses you’ve turned into an empire. And I am certain that you don’t want to go to prison.”
“Damn you,” he struggled, wheezing. “What do you want from me. What?”
I slipped the photographs back into my pocket. “Simple and in agreeing to my demands, the gambling debt will be wiped off, the pictures secured in a vault meant for my eyes only. Just in case you try and betray me.”
“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.
“Sasha. 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 fuck 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, August. 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 Sasha, 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 Sasha, bypassing her friends. They acknowledged my presence with murmurs of appreciation. I ignored them. Sasha 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.
Sasha shrugged. “The Reynolds Gallery.”
“That’s fantastic!” the buxom blonde squealed. “I’m so proud of you.”
“We’ll see,” Sasha 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.
Sasha 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 cock. 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?”
“August Gonzalez 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 Sasha, whispering in her ear.
“In a way,” Sasha 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 cock twitched once again, hungry for more than just a taste.
“Father is late.” Sasha 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?”
Sasha laughed, the sound bitter. “There is very little I believe in any longer, Mr. Gonzalez .”
“August. 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. “August,” she repeated. “And a Morales 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.”
She exhaled in an exasperated fashion. “I’m much more intelligent than my father. But of course, don’t tell him that.”
I’d heard she was spoiled. The confirmation only added fuel to the fire.
“Touche, Sasha,” I said under my breath. She was becoming more fascinating by the minute. My hunger for her had originally been about crushing her father. Perhaps the end game would be more intriguing than I’d thought.
I noticed Drummand waiting in the hallway, flanked by his chief of staff and several other minions. He appeared to be having a difficult time, pacing back and forth, peering into the room every so often.
I moved closer to Sasha. “You look stunning tonight. You are your father’s daughter.”
Another blush.
Another darted look.
Only this time, I noticed a twinge of desire in her eyes.
My cock was throbbing, my balls tight as a drum. I leaned even closer, inhaling. The exotic scent of her perfume was a sensual and very powerful aphrodisiac, increasing my animalistic hunger.
That was the exact moment Drummand found me, his anger evident on his reddened face. He backed away from the door.
She didn’t seem flustered by my rather forward actions, merely offering a sarcastic smile, her hand fluttering over her mouth. She had an air of arrogance, something I would remember. “He’s never late. I wonder what the problem is,” she stated for all her friends to hear.
“He will be right with us.” My command was off hand, as if I didn’t give a shit.
And I wasn’t wrong.
I was never wrong.
Senator Drummand Morales strutted into the room, a huge smile on his face. If there was anything bothering him, not a single soul in the room could tell. He was a damn good actor. However, I did notice he slipped me a single look before approaching the platform, planting both hands on the podium. The crowd gathered closer, ready to glom onto every word.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Drummand began, his cool expression polished. Professional. Everyone in the room leaned forward, the entire crowd silent as church mice. The only sound was the constant clicks of cameras. The influential senator would certainly be tomorrow’s headliner on the New York Times. I couldn’t wait to read the toxic banner.
He cleared his throat, daring to take another glance in my direction. I wondered just how many people noticed the two beads of sweat oozing down both sides of his face. “Thank you so much. Your support means everything to me.” The crowd cheered again. He waited until the noise died down, milking the audience. “I’m here to announce my candidacy for the president of the United States.”
The roar of the crowd was deafening, cheers and whistles drowning out everything else in the room.
But his heartbeat.
I heard it from where I was standing.
I took my time finishing my champagne before clapping and by then, at least ten people glanced in my direction.
Including the senator.
I gripped Sasha’s elbow, lowering my head as he continued to watch. “I’m certain your father has everything under control. Why don’t we grab a drink elsewhere?” I asked the question just loud enough for her friends to overhear. I waited exactly five seconds for her answer. When it didn’t come promptly I headed for the door.
“Mr. Gonzalez . August.”
Her lilting voice was right behind me. I resisted adjusting my throbbing cock.
“Yes?” My question was asked without turning around.
“I’d love to take you up on that offer. These types of events bore me to tears.”
I lifted a single eyebrow, satisfied with the outcome of the evening thus far. I said nothing as she walked past me, tilting her head and giving a sultry gaze, the stunning scarlet dress hugging her rounded curves. Every move was provocative, tempting, only she had no idea she’d met her match.
After all, I was the big bad wolf.