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I’ve learned that lesson the hard way.
She’s standing in the middle of the stage next to the MC in her tight little server skirt and black top with red heels. She’s holding her hands clasped together in front of her, looking way out of her comfort zone. I almost feel bad for her.
After an awkward introduction and some goading from Geo at the bar, they start the bidding, and I have every intention of only being a spectator. A couple people I know end up getting it going.
I find myself scrutinizing the people placing bids—low bids, if you ask me. One is a lawyer in his thirties, another, a younger guy I’ve spotted in the voyeur hall a lot, and then a new guy I’ve never seen here before. I shift in my seat.
I trust Emerson and the rest of the team to vet their members harshly, but there’s something about seeing a new face at the club that gives me pause. He looks like something the stock market spit out. Cocky expression. Cheap suit. Big attitude. And I can’t help myself.
“Fifteen,” I call. I figure it's my fault she’s up there in the first place. The least I can do is save her from the misery of having to spend an hour with one of these guys.
Daisy’s eyes land on my face with her eyes wide as saucers.
“Ronan Kade bids fifteen thousand,” the announcer exclaims. “Do we have a challenger? Can I get sixteen?”
“Twenty,” the young guy returns. The other two stay silent.
My spine stiffens when I watch his eyes cascade over Daisy. He’s sure as hell not looking at her face. And something about him just gives me a bad feeling.
“Twenty-five,” I say with certainty.
This time, the kid in the suit turns to glare at me, adjusting the tie around his neck, clearly uncomfortable. As our eyes meet, I watch the fight in his expression die. He’s not going to outbid me, and he knows it. So it’s all a matter of how much he’s willing to risk and how badly he wants to get this fear-stricken girl alone.
But I promise, I’m ready to gamble more.
Pressing my shoulders back, I wait for his next bid.
“Do I hear twenty-six from the young gentleman up front?”
He swallows, then turns toward the stage. Daisy is starting to look a little green as she waits for the next move. Hesitantly, he raises a hand.
“Twenty-six!”
All eyes are on me as I nod to the announcer. “Thirty.”
Daisy bites her lip.
My competitor laughs, looking cocky.
“Forty thousand,” he calls out, trying to appear brave.
“Fifty,” I say, without even blinking.
The young guy comes back with another bid, and another, and another. I outbid each one until he nervously stammers, “Seventy-five.”
“One hundred thousand dollars,” I proclaim, my fingers thrumming against the leather of the chair.
There are stirrings of surprise in the crowd. Daisy’s already pale skin takes on a new shade of porcelain, like the keys of a shiny new piano.
“One hundred, going once…going twice…”
Her eyes dance back and forth between me and the young guy.
“One hundred thousand to Ronan Kade!” the MC announces, and Daisy looks about ready to faint.
I watch the young guy’s jaw click as he clenches it in frustration. The crowd cheers, staring at me in fascination as Daisy makes her way down from the stage, meekly walking in my direction, but then pauses when she reaches me.
I stand, putting out a hand, in which she places her delicate fingers. Her eyes don’t leave my face as she gazes at me with intrigue. Within moments, the crowd disperses and loses interest. So it’s now just me and a nervous-looking waitress.
