Rocco shook his head. “I’ll give you something for collateral.” His brow furrowed. “I have a Mercedes, and my daughters each drive nice cars.”
Carter laughed, sharing a look of amused disbelief with Darren. “I have more cars than I could ever drive as it is.”
Forehead wrinkled, Terini seemed to rack his brain furiously, searching for something to appease Carter. His head lifted slowly as his eyes filled with tears. “I’ll give you one of my daughters,” he whispered. “She’ll stay with you for the time you give me. If I don’t get the money together, you can do as you wish to me.”
Carter’s eyes narrowed. “You’re giving me one of your daughters?” He was unable to believe the depths to which Rocco would sink. This man was clearly desperate, but still his own family? He really was scum. So now Carter would dangle his own issues in front of him. This would be so easy to show his daughters what a creep he was. Just another wine for Carter. Tonight was going even better than he expected.
“How long would this arrangement last?” The game continued, he decided with a small smile of satisfaction. Dangle hope, then withdraw it—always amusing entertainment.
“A year?”
Carter laughed. “Ridiculous. A month.”
“Nine months,” Terini shot back. “It’s going to take awhile to recoup my loss.”
“Three months,” Carter countered, starting to enjoy himself.
“Six months,” Terini said, and Carter nodded. “If I haven’t recouped the money on this house in six months, you can kill me. In exchange for your lenient terms,” he said with a mocking growl, “You’ll be in possession of one of my daughters for the duration of the contract. You must promise not to hurt or compromise her,” he said, blushing despite his age.
Carter shook his head, marveling at Rocco’s nerve. “I’ll do with her as I please.” He allowed the words to sink in before continuing. “That is if I agree to this. And you have to convince your daughters.” That seemed unlikely.
“I can do it,” Rocco said. “I’ll go talk to them now.”
“No. I haven’t even agreed yet. If I do, I pick the girl. You will have no say in the matter except to persuade her.”
“No.” Rocco fumbled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe off his forehead. “You can’t do that.”
“It was your idea. I’m perfectly content to dispense with it and move on to your eviction.”
Swallowing audibly, Rocco nodded and stood up. “I’ll have them assembled for your inspection.”
He sent the maid to fetch the girls as he took Carter into the sitting room, with Darren in-tow. They sat on an expensive sofa while they waited. Rocco was fidgety which only annoyed Carter even more. The first girl appeared, a pout on her face. “This is Lecy. She is twenty-three.”
Carter dismissed her immediately. “She looks stubborn. No.” He shared a look with Darren, who briefly smiled. None of the girls would end up being suitable, and he’d have Rocco squirming again within moments.
The second girl came into the room, and Carter rolled his eyes. “No, who’s next?”
It was several moments before the third daughter came into the room, carrying a book with her. “I hope this is important.” She finally looked up from the text. “I have a test tomorrow.”
“It’s important, Scarlett.” Rocco wiped the sweat from his brow once more.
Carter’s mouth had fallen open of its own volition, and he closed his gaping maw with a snap. She had delicate features and a perfect body, as far as he could see through the dark navy sundress she was wearing. She was so much more poised than the other two, Carter wasn’t even sure they were actually related. He admired her dark hair that was tossed up in a bun on top of her head. She eyed him curiously with astounding purple eyes, having finally closed her book. Her lips were so plump and he immediately imagined them on his. She was trouble.
“She’ll do.” He surprised himself with the cool words, since he hadn’t planned to agree to Terini’s insane suggestion. He’d only meant to play with him a bit longer before executing the final maneuver for the kill. “Six months.” He ignored Darren’s look of shock. He knew it was crazy but he didn’t care, he had to have her.
Scarlett looked curiously at her father, obviously not quite understanding what Carter was talking about. “What’s going on?”
“Tell her, Rocco,” His made his amusement obvious.
Rocco nodded nervously. “Chrys, Lecy, you can leave,” he dismissed them, but they made no move to the door. “Go,” he shouted, and with wide eyes, they hurried from the sitting room. “I have a problem.” His tone had softened marginally.
“What’s wrong, Father?” Carter watched as she placed a comforting hand on her father’s arm. “Can we be alone?” she asked Carter and Darren impatiently.
“No. I have too large a stake in this.” She may not know it yet, but he would be sure Rocco would follow through on his promise.
Tossing her hair, Scarlett turned from him as Rocco began speaking. “I’ve lost the business, and maybe this house.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. What happened?” She was genuinely concerned, and for a moment Carter felt sorry for her.
“That’s not important.” Rocco waved a hand. “Mr. Braxton has generously offered me an extension on the deal.” His bitterness was blatantly evident. “But he wants some assurance I won’t back out.”
“What sort of collateral can you offer?” Scarlett asked. “If the house and the company are gone, what else is there besides the villa in Greece?”
“That’s gone too.” Carter offered. “He sold it last year to cover gambling debts.”
“That’s a lie,” Rocco shouted.
“Of course it is, Father.” Carter knew he wouldn’t believe her, even though it was true. It was a test, he was trying to determine her level of loyalty to her family.
“What do you want?” She turned to Carter, looking exasperated.
Carter smiled coldly. “You, my dear.” Ignoring her outraged gasp, he continued, “Your father offered one of his daughters for collateral, and I’ve chosen you.”
Scarlett shook her head. “No,” she whispered. “You can’t mean to do this, Father. You can’t expect me to agree to this. You just can’t.”
Rocco looked ashamed as he slid his gaze from hers. “We have no choice, Scarlett. If you don’t agree to his terms, we have to give him the house and sell everything to pay off the remaining debt.”
Scarlett shook her head again, more fiercely this time. “I won’t do it. Forget the house and the stuff in it. I’m worth more than that, Father. How can you pimp me out like this?”
Rocco’s mouth dropped and Carter remained amused. “It’s not like that. Mr. Braxton will treat you well—just like a guest. It’s just a safety net for his substantial investment.”
“How long is this arrangement of your supposed to last?” She asked angrily.
Carter liked how feisty she was. She would be hard to tame, but it would be worth it. He answered for Rocco. “Six months.”
She shook her head. “My classes—” She trailed off. “Where do you live?”
“About thirty minutes outside of San Francisco,” Carter said. “You can return to school when the six months are over.”
In a daze, Scarlett sank into a chair. Carter had the urge to go to her, to explain that it wouldn’t be as horrible as he was sure it sounded. He knew it was, in fact, horrible. But he wanted her. In ways he could hardly imagine.
“Please, Scarlett,” Rocco begged, grasping her hands as he bent forward. “I’m too old to start over completely. You’re only twenty, and I’m not asking you to sacrifice your life. It’s only a few months, and you’ll be well cared for.”
Carter watched as she sat up straighter with resolve. “I’ll do it.” He was impressed. Loyal to a fault.
“Go pack,” Carter commanded, not asking. “And hurry back. I want to leave this Godforsaken mausoleum as soon as possible.”
“If you hate it
that much, why did you buy it?”
“I have my reasons.” He saw her lips purse as she stormed from the room.
Rocco paced nervously, finally saying in a rush, “I need more money to cover my debts. I’m still almost a million short. How can I possibly get that much together and still have enough to buy the house from you?”
“That’s your problem.” Carter’s voice was as cold as his heart. “I’m definitely not giving you the money, if that’s what you’re thinking, and I’m not extending the time limit either.”
A sly smile contorted the other man’s features. “She’s worth it, I’m sure.”
Carter gave him a blank look. What the hell was he going on about now?
“What she assumed—well, it is a logical assumption that a man like you would expect that. She’s still a virgin. I’m sure of that. She hasn’t been allowed to date many boys, and the approved ones all feared me. Wouldn’t that be worth a substantial amount?”
Darren coughed suddenly, and Carter sat there in shock, disbelieving what he was hearing. He didn’t even know how he’d found himself agreeing to this, but he hadn’t purchased a sex slave for the next six months. Her own father was trying to sell her virginity to him. His hatred of Rocco intensified, and Carter swore to himself that he would completely destroy him. “I’m not interested,” he said with admirable control.
With a furtive leer, Rocco directed a glance at Darren. “Perhaps your tastes run to other areas?”
Already grim, Carter’s mouth compressed even more. “I don’t happen to find the idea of a virgin sacrifice particularly appealing. Even a man like me has standards,” he said with a mocking inflection.
Rocco’s shoulders slumped. “Do you promise not to impede my attempt to get the money?”
“As long as it has nothing to do with my company,” he stressed, “Or this house, then I agree.”
Carter was saved from having to make further conversation with Rocco by the arrival of Lecy, avenging Carter. Her countenance was frozen and her eyes glittered as she snapped, “You aren’t taking her, you—” She seemed to struggle to find a word before settling for stomping her foot. “It’s barbaric and medieval. I won’t allow this to go any further.”
“We have no choice,” Rocco said firmly. “Save the theatrics, Lecy, and be grateful he didn’t choose you.”
She screamed in outrage before turning storming from the room. Darren covered a laugh with a discreet cough, but Carter grinned unabashedly. Thank God he hadn’t chosen that one, he thought.
Scarlett, cold and fiercely proud, came back into the room, lugging a heavy suitcase. “Will you send more of my things, Father?”
“Don’t bother.” Carter and Darren rose to stand beside her. “As she is my responsibility for the next six months, I’ll provide for her.”
Darren took the suitcase from Scarlett with a soothing smile. Carter envied how he could do that, he had never been the warm type, and then the scars. They certainly made things more difficult for him.
Carter followed behind him, saying to the still-motionless Scarlett, “Come along before I have to carry you.” She started walking immediately, without even a goodbye for her father.
As she walked all that Carter could think about were her full lips and the way her hips sashayed as she moved.
Scarlet was a spit fire beauty.
And for the next six months, she was all his.
2
Scarlett
At the door, Scarlett took her coat from the maid before following the two men, practically kidnappers, from her home. She looked back wistfully, seeing her sisters waving from Lecy’s balcony. She raised her hand in a brief wave before she was urged into the town car.
The man who had taken her sat down next to her, shadows playing on his chiseled features. He was a large man, muscular underneath his jacket. The one thing she couldn’t deny was how sexy he was.
She turned her eyes to the man across from her. It seemed ridiculous not to know their names if she was going to be spending the next six months in their company. “What’s your name?”
“Darren, Ms. Terini.” He flashed her a bright smile.
Responding to his kindness, she said, “Please call me Scarlett.” He inclined his head as she returned her gaze to the man beside her. “Who are you?” Her voice lost any shred of warmth.
“My name is Carter. Carter Braxton.” He didn’t bother to look at her, and the conversation faltered.
She knew she had heard that name before, but she couldn’t place it. And with his coldness towards her, she didn’t press him for more information. That would come later she guessed.
Scarlett had been up late studying the night before, and she yawned. They had a two-hour trip ahead of them and she dozed off despite her attempts not to. She was barely aware of her head falling against Carter’s shoulder, and she didn’t see the slight softening of his eye. It wasn’t until she awoke within a few miles of their destination that she realized what had happened, and only because Carter had not moved her head from his shoulder.
Embarrassed, she sat up quickly to peer out the window, knowing she wouldn’t see anything except the lights of San Francisco. When the driver turned off the road they were traveling, it was onto a steep driveway with a gated entrance. After a few seconds, the gate opened smoothly and Scarlett couldn’t help looking back as it closed, feeling as if she’d just been locked in forever.
The house was several miles up the drive, and Scarlett gasped when it finally came into sight. Perched atop a cliff, the mansion was four stories or more. It was white and modern, unlike Terini Manor, and she liked it immediately. The chauffeur dropped them at the front, and Darren opened the door for them.
She followed Carter and Darren up the steps in front of the house, counting them as she went—twenty-four white marble stairs just to get to the front door. The door was opened for them by a stiff man in a black suit, who inclined his head. “Mr. Braxton.”
“Edward, this is Ms. Terini. She will be staying with us for a while. Will you please have a room prepared for her?” Carter handed the butler his coat and briefcase. As he took off his jacket Scarlett noticed just how muscular his was. Why the hell was he so good looking? He was a kidnapper. She tried to push the thought from her mind.
“Which room, sir?”
Carter cocked his head, clearly considering where to put her. Scarlett eyed him carefully before he responded. “The second room from the head of the stairs.” Edward inclined his head once more and disappeared from sight, taking Scarlett’s bag with him.
“Are you hungry or thirsty?” Carter inquired, turning back towards her.
She swallowed, briefly considering a hunger strike, but knowing she’d never stick to it. Food was her weakness, her safety net in times of trouble. With Rocco Terini as her father she spent many nights with her two favorite men, Ben and Jerry. “Yes.”
“What would you like? Zira can make just about anything you can ask for.”
“A turkey and bacon croissant with avocado, and an orange juice.” She knew it was oddly specific, but it was a test. To see how well he really would take care of her.
“That sounds good. Darren?”
“I’ll see to it.” He left Carter and Scarlett alone. She watched him closely, this was her new… roommate? That didn’t seem appropriate. She felt like owner was more of her choice of word. Her ridiculously attractive owner.
Quickly he began to move away from her. Scarlett followed Carter into a sumptuous breakfast room decorated in neutral colors, with thick carpeting, and a sturdy rectangular table. The chairs were captain-style, and upholstered in the same beige color as the cloth wall hangings. “I think we’ll eat in here.”
“What does Darren do for you?” Scarlett asked.
“He’s my personal assistant and bodyguard.” Carter sat down with a small sigh.
Scarlett quirked her brow. “Do you make a habit of pissing off people enough to want to kill you?”
“It’s
happened a few times,” Carter admitted with a small grin. “And believe it or not, I haven’t always provoked the person. Darren is just a precaution.”
The food was brought in by Darren, and he joined them at the table. Scarlett was a little surprised by Carter’s lack of formality with Darren, as her father maintained a stiff distance between himself and his staff at all times. She ate the sandwich amid almost continuous yawning.
“Darren, will you show Scarlett her room? She looks exhausted.”
“I’m not tired,” she countered, continuing to eat.
“Scarlett, go to bed.” He paused and she rolled her eyes defiantly. “You won’t miss anything down here and I promise you can continue your inquisition tomorrow. Fair?”
“Fine,” she huffed pushing herself back from the table. She didn’t like being told what to do, but now that she was his prisoner, she would have to pick her battles carefully.
Darren led Scarlett from the room. They walked up a spiral staircase covered in pristine white carpet. He took her down the hall, stopping before a pair of French doors to swing them open. “This will be your room.”
Scarlett surveyed the room, liking the warmth of the sand and peach coloring. It was no more or less impressive than her room at home, so she didn’t express any enthusiasm. “Thank you, Darren, and good night.”
“If you need anything, four on the phone will connect you to me,” said Darren before leaving.
Scarlett hefted her suitcase on the bed to begin unpacking. She’d brought a few clothes and toiletries, but the majority of the items were books. Books for school, and books she read for pleasure. She cleared a space on a standing shelf to display her books. After putting her clothes away, Scarlett looked around the room, feeling depressed that she’d already made her mark. She shouldn’t be here. This wasn’t right.
She threw herself across the bed, wanting to cry, but refusing to give in to the tears. How could her father do this to her? How had she ended up here, agreeing to this madness? What was in it for Carter to agree to such a deal, anyway?
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