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“Why are you so familiar with these men?”
“It’s my business to be familiar with them.” When I joined her on the sofa, she moved as far to the end as possible. “Luckily, you didn’t just stumble onto any stranger’s property. As fate would have it, I’m one of the very few people in this town who can get you out of this mess your father inserted you into.”
“How?”
“If you leave here, they will come for you. This sort of event they are planning is quite entertaining for them. You will be put on display and auctioned off to the highest bidder.”
It sickened me to think this was even a thing, but the people I dealt with were merciless and immoral. I might not be much better when it came to business, but at least my proposition kept her safe and under my care.
“Why would you pay off my father’s debt?”
“I’ll get you in return.”
“The catch.” She closed her eyes. “I knew there had to be one.”
“There’s always a catch. Nothing in life is free.”
“What you’re doing is no better than what they want to do to me.” The anxiety caused her voice to climb an octave. “How does this help me? Either way, I have to stay with a man I don’t know. A man who wants to own me. If I leave, I can get away. I can start over and be free.”
I smiled.
“What?”
“Your innocence is intriguing.”Arousing.
“You’re no better than these men who want to hurt me.”
“That’s not true.” I didn’t blame her for not understanding the dynamic of this situation, but I didn’t appreciate being put in the same category as a man who wanted to auction her off for entertainment. I found her sleeping amongst my horses. What did I expect? “Have you ever heard the expression the devil you know?”
She nodded.
“Well, I’m the devil you do know.” I moved toward her. “I took you in, gave you a warm bed and food. I bought you clothes, and now I’m offering you a solution to your problems.”
“You’re very generous, but I didn’t ask for any of that.”
“Have I done anything to hurt you?”
“No,” she whispered. “Not yet.”
“That’s fair.”
She appeared to always be on the verge of tears. Her life had been difficult. Luke had done some digging. What he found, I didn’t like. If I ever met her father, I wouldn’t even give him time to explain before I made him suffer.
“I’m a busy man,” I continued. “I don’t have time for relationships. For feelings. For drama. I work late most nights. I’ve grown tired of the women who want to keep company with me.”
I didn’t want hassles or strings attached. I wanted something in my life to be uncomplicated. She had nothing and no one. We could help one another. I was an expert at breaking hearts, so why even go there? If this was business, she couldn’t get hurt. She wouldn’t retaliate later. I wouldn’t find myself being bashed all over social media, and in those ridiculous women’s circles. They all hated me when I refused to take things further with one of their friends, but it never stopped any of them from turning down an invitation to spend a night with me.
“If I pay off the men your father owes, you will be unburdened. As you can see, I have more money than I know what to do with. Would it be so bad to stay here with me until you figure out what it is you want to do with yourself?” I stretched out my arm, resting my hand next to hers until our pinky fingers touched. She glanced at our hands, but didn’t pull away. “I’ll give you anything you want.”
“And in return?”
“I’m sure we can think of something.”
“Sex?”
“Companionship, conversation, someone to come home to after a long day.” I circled my thumb over the back of her hand. “Yes, sex would be part of the arrangement.”
“I don’t think I’m the right person for this deal.” She clenched her fingers into a fist. “I can’t do what you want.”
