Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 21139 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21139 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
What in God’s name is happening to me?
Women don’t do this to me. As a matter of fact, they bore me. The ones outside are here for my men, not me.
But when I stare at this girl, hypnotized by her beauty, I realize that my whole life has changed.
I feel a spark in my heart—the heart I was sure was dead. This girl is my future. And like CPR, she’s brought me back to life.
“Boss, this is Isabella,” Anton says. “Isabella, this is Viktor Morelli, the boss—”
In a flash, I’m on my feet, grabbing Seth by the neck, ready to snap it. What kind of father could offer up his angelic daughter as collateral to a devil like me?
“You fucking serious?” I growl. “You got no money so you come to me with her?”
The doors are still open. My voice is loud. My men can hear me, and I’m drawing glances from the girls too.
I want to curse Seth out for being a slimeball, but I’ve got a reputation to protect. As the boss, you have to be ice cold, or you end up with a knife in the back.
Slowly, I let go of his throat, despite every urge in me wanting to crack his skull.
“I’m sorry, Viktor…” he whimpers, unable to look at me. I may make money off betting, but these gambling scumbags really chap my ass. “I don’t mean no disrespect, but I just don’t have it. I thought maybe—”
This is it. The crucial moment.
Everyone’s eyes are on me, and despite the fact that I want to tell this son of a bitch off, I can’t. There’s only one move I can make here.
“You want to give me your daughter? Is that it?”
I glance over at her, and her eyes nearly level me.
Being top dog means making sacrifices, and one of those sacrifices has been women. I’ve never had one in my life that I could trust—that I could start a family with.
I’ve gotta be careful who I let in. But as I stare at this angel in front of me, my heart is waking from its coma and screaming at me.
She’s the one…
Her tiny hands are trembling. So is the rest of her.
Of course she is. I run this town, and her despicable father is trying to sell her to me.
“Hey, angel,” I whisper, tilting her chin so her eyes meet mine. Gorgeous. “Don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you.”
Seth starts to speak, but I raise a finger, and he folds like paper.
Isabella’s features are too wholesome for this office—for the entire penthouse. She’s like a fairy out of a fantasy book, wide-eyed and innocent. I know my men are looking at her too, which already has me raging.
Get your goddamn eyes off her!
None of them deserve her. Shit, I don’t even deserve her.
But that won’t stop me. I’m going to have her. No matter what.
“How old are you?” I ask softly.
Her voice is like windchimes on the breeze. “Eight—eighteen, sir.”
Sir? The word sends blood rushing to my center.
Her dad must have told her to say that—to address me with respect. But knowing that doesn’t change the effect it has on me.
“You don’t have to call me sir, sweetheart,” I assure her. She nods, her hair falling across her beautiful face. Compared to this bombshell, the works of art on my wall are complete trash.
I can’t believe what’s happening. No woman should be able to have this effect on me. But I can’t take my eyes off her. She may be sexy, but it’s her innocence that sits on top like a cherry, making my mouth water—
Fuck. I bet she still has her cherry…sweet and ready for me to claim.
Like a shock, my mind floods with thoughts of boys her age hitting on her, trying to get her to come over, get in the backseat of their car, send them naked photos of her, and rage swells within me.
I open my mouth to whisper to her, but then I hear Anton clear his throat, and I’m slapped back to reality.
“Done deal, Seth,” I snarl, my eyes fixed on his daughter. “Your daughter as collateral. But don’t think your debt’s forgiven. Understand?”
“Yes, sir!” Seth blurts out, sounding way more excited than he should.
This man just sold his daughter to me, and he’s happy about it. What a pathetic piece of human garbage.
“Now get the fuck out of here.”
“Come on,” Anton snaps, shoving Seth out the door.
“Shut that behind you!” I shout. The latches snap closed, and a sense of relief hits me.
No more eyes on my goddess.
I’m a man with answers. I solve problems. And if it looks like there’s not a solution, I make one. That’s why I am where I am today. But for once, standing here in front of Isabella, I don’t know what the hell to do.