by Ella Miles
I stare down at the ring I could easily sell to give me all those things now in order to assist me this round and the rounds after.
No, I won’t sell it. Only if my life depends on it. It means too much to Enzo. I could never hurt him like that. I still don’t understand his compassion when he gave me the ring, but I know I have to keep the ring safe until he accepts it when I return it to him.
I can find a way to make this happen. I’ve spent my entire life with nothing and I more than survived.
There is a library a couple of blocks from here. I’ll research everything I can on him and then form a plan. But I already know what that plan will have to involve. Milo Wallace is a man. I’m sure he’s a powerful, rich man. There is only one way to ensure I can get close to him. Use my body to seduce him. It makes me sick to my stomach to think about flirting with a man after I just had a different man in my bed, but what choice do I have?
I don’t know if I want to win. I don’t know if I want to become Black. But if I lose, I’ll end up with nothing. If I win, I’ll have an entire empire at my disposal. If I win, I could change things. If I win, I could stop another woman from being sold. If I win, I could end the pain.
20
Enzo
Kai could win this.
And it scares the crap out of me. I’ve worked too hard, for too long to give her a chance at winning a single round. Everything would be destroyed if she won. I can’t let it happen.
I sit in the passenger seat, while Zeke rides in the back, already on his computer looking things up about Milo Wallace. Langston is usually better at surveillance, but Zeke is too hurt to drive. And I need to be free to focus on formulating a game plan.
Zeke starts rambling everything we know about Milo, “He’s wealthy—a one billion dollar fortune. He got all his money selling weapons. He’s single, a perpetual bachelor. He lives in France but loves to sail his yacht. He’s actually in Miami; he’s throwing a big party tomorrow night on his yacht.”
I take in all the information Zeke just gave me. In some ways, it would have been better if Milo was in France. Kai has no money to buy a plane ticket, and by the time she came up with the money to buy a ticket, I would have already flown my private jet to steal the stupid ring and be back.
But he’s not in France, he’s here, on his yacht. That’s the second best news. Kai is afraid of yachts and the water. She won’t go near him. That gives me an advantage. I’m not sure if he’s the kind of man to step foot in Miami, or if he prefers the luxury of his yacht. I can’t imagine a man like him ever leaving his yacht. So if she wants to win, she will have to face her fears.
I smirk. I know she’s capable, but she might stall. Waiting him out to see if he will come to land first. That will give me a day’s advantage.
“Where is he now?” I ask Zeke.
“He’s anchored a few miles off the coast. They won’t dock until tomorrow evening just before the party. He’s a paranoid guy and feels safer on his yacht than on land.”
I smile. Perfect.
I can easily get an invitation to this party. If I weren’t already so focused on this game and Kai, I would have probably already ensured I had an invitation. This is the kind of man I want control and power over. I would have learned everything, found his weakness and exploited it until I was sure I could control him. That’s what I do.
My mind spins with ideas of what I should do. But I know there is only one fool-proof way to get Milo alone—a woman.
If I was allowed a gun, I could easily persuade him to talk to me, but I’m not allowed one. Something I’m very pissed about. Kai should have never allowed that stupid penalty. I don’t care about my life, but I will not put my men in danger.
“What’s the plan, boss?” Langston asks. I share everything with him, and he’s usually more involved in the planning and plotting process, instead of being stuck behind the wheel.
“Get an invite to the party tomorrow night,” I answer.
“Already done,” Zeke says.
I grin. Maybe Zeke is as good at plotting as Langston and I are. I just always think of Zeke as brute force, instead of brains.
“Then make sure I have the hottest date on my arm so Milo will want to talk with me. If for no other reason than to steal my date.”
“Good plan, but then what? Do you know how to steal a ring without him noticing you are taking it?”
I shake my head. I don’t have a clue. I’ve never stolen a wallet, let alone a ring. A ring seems impossible to steal.
“Kai might try to steal it from his finger in broad daylight, but that’s not my plan. I could never take the ring from his finger without him noticing. No, my choices are to get him to bet it during a poker game. Or have my date take it during sex.”
Langston raises an eyebrow. “Do you have a girl in mind that would be up for the task?”
“Yes,” I sigh. I just hate asking her, because I know she’ll say yes. She would do anything for me. And she’s hot enough that Milo will be dying to get his hands on her.
Get him drunk.
Try to get him to play a poker game.
If that doesn’t work, send in my date to seduce him.
Fuck, I hate the plan. But right now, it’s all I’ve got.
“The invitation allows for a plus one. I know Milo won’t allow you a security detail. But Langston and I will watch guard from the shore,” Zeke says.
I don’t know how to say this, but I have to. “You aren’t coming, Zeke.”
“What? You are not going by yourself.”
“I won’t. Langston will come and watch from as close as he can get, but I’m not putting you at risk.”
“I can handle myself.”
“You can when you are healthy. But you aren’t allowed a weapon, and I don’t want to be worried the entire time someone will shoot you again. You stay; I’m not going to discuss it anymore.”
Zeke huffs but doesn’t argue anymore. Langston gives me a look of thanks.
I turn to Langston. “You will carry a concealed weapon.”
“What?”
“No one will know what you choose or where you hide it except you.”
“But that’s breaking the rules.”
“Your life is more important than the rules. I won’t carry anything, but I want you safe. Under no circumstances will you use it to save my life. Only yourself. Understand? Otherwise, you can stay back with Zeke.”
“Understood, boss,” Langston says, only calling me boss when he knows I’m serious.
I pull out my phone knowing I need to get my date figured out as soon as possible. I need to prepare her for the task so we practically share the same brain because I won’t be able to change the plan very easily otherwise.
I scroll through the contacts until I find the one. I haven’t called her in a few months. I’ve been too busy dealing with Kai, but there was a time when this girl was my everything. And that’s exactly how she’s listed in my phone.
My everything.
I hit the contact and wait.
Liesel’s voice shines through the phone making it impossible not to smile at her light voice even though I know I’m risking her life by doing this.
“What does my favorite guy want?” she asks immediately, but her voice isn’t mad. She’s happy I called.
“Why do you assume I want something?”
“Because I know you. You are all business. If I want to see you outside of work, I call you. So what do you need?”
God, this is why I can always count on Liesel.
“I need you to be my date,” I say the words I know will make Liesel’s year. Because even if the date is fake, it won’t feel like that to either of us.
21
Kai
I’ve spent an hour in the library learning everything I can about Milo Wallace.
He’s rich.
He’s single, but always has a hot woman on his arm.
He lives in France.
But he’s going to be here in Miami, tomor
row night.
And of course, he’s throwing a party on his fancy yacht.
Shit.
Why does it have to be on a yacht?
This will be my only chance to get the ring. Flying to France would be an automatic loss. Enzo will have a private jet fly him before I can even figure out how to buy a ticket myself.
I need an invite to that party. I need a dress. I need the best hair and makeup. And then I need to seduce this man.
I could go to my father for help. But even if he wanted to help me, he has no money. And I don’t want his help. He had twenty years to try and help me; he chose not to. He chose to keep me in the dark.
I could go back to Enzo’s place, but I hate that idea. I’m sure there is a fancy dress in the closet I could wear, but I don’t want his help either.
I want to do this myself.
My wheels turn in my head trying to figure out a plan. Think, think, think.
I hate stealing things, but I don’t have much of a choice.
I could use the gun tucked into my pants that Zeke gave me to rob someone, but that seems too dangerous. I should just stash the gun somewhere, because I know I’m not going to use it.
I stare down at the ring.
Sell it, pawn it.
No.
I turn the ring, trying to come up with a plan that doesn’t make me a thief.
Ring!
I have my mother’s ring in my jewelry box at my father’s home. He gave it to me when she died. It won’t get me as much money as Enzo’s ring, but it will be enough to buy a slutty dress, some makeup, and a cab ride to the pier.
Two hours later, I have my mother’s ring in my hand. A ring I never thought I would sell, even for food. But here I am standing outside the old pawn shop I've sold things at before, considering doing just that.
Sell Enzo’s instead, the devil says in my ear.
No.
I don’t need my mother’s ring to remember her. And I will not betray Enzo by pawning his mother’s ring off the first chance I get.
I take Enzo’s ring off and slip it into my pocket. I don’t want Jim to see it and try to convince me to pawn it to him.
The door chimes as I step inside, warning my heart of what I’m going to give up for a chance at winning. I’m selling a part of my heart I will never be able to get back. Then I’m going to dress like a slut so I can get let into a party I’m not invited to. All for a chance to seduce a man, so I can get close enough to steal a different ring. Maybe I’ll be able to pawn Milo’s ring in order to get this one back, but I doubt it.
I have to think of the real reason I’m sacrificing my heart in order to win: to keep other women from getting hurt. Because once I’m Black, I can change everything.
22
Enzo
Damn.
That’s all that goes through my mind when I pick up Liesel in my Ferrari.
She descends from the doorway of the condo building she lives in in a black dress with a low V-neck down the front and shiny, sparkly shoes. Her hair is down in long curls, and she’s wearing the expensive necklace I bought her years ago when we were dating.
“You look good,” I say as I lean against my car.
She eyes my tux, practically undressing me with her smoldering eyes. “I know.”
I grin.
Liesel always is one of the most confident women I know. She knows what she wants and she goes after it. And she won’t settle for less than. Which is why we aren’t together. I know she wants me, but I couldn’t give her what she needed or deserved, so we broke up.
Looking at Liesel now, most men would say I made an error not giving her everything she wanted, marriage included, but looking at how Liesel is dressed just confirms to me I made the right decision. She’s dangerous.
Dangerous in a different way from Kai. Kai unnerves me; she makes me think twice about my decisions and actions; she makes me want things I never knew I wanted. Makes me want to protect her even when she doesn’t need my protection.
But Liesel is just pure sex. She doesn’t want me to change. She would take me exactly as I am, dangerous job and all. She likes rough sex. She likes my fancy cars. My big beach house. She likes going to expensive parties. She’s likes being rich and flaunting everything she has.
Kai couldn’t care less about my money. She would trade her living situation for a second to get free. The only money she needs is enough to survive.
“Ready?” I ask.
Her eyes sear into me and her red lips plump. “You know it.”
I walk around to the driver’s side, not bothering to open Liesel’s door. I’m not an asshole to Liesel, but I don’t want her getting the wrong idea. She already will when I have to fake being into her.
The truth is, I look at Liesel as more as a sister than a potential wife. Yes, we used to date. Yes, I find her attractive. But she is also the only woman I could ever confide in. The only woman I could ever have real conversations with. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything. I will protect her and care for her all of my life.
We both climb in, and I start driving, with Langston trailing behind for protection.
“So I’m here. Dressed to the nines as requested.”
“You always dress to the nines, Liesel.”
She smiles. “I do, but why did you need me to?”
I sigh. I told her just enough to get her to go with me, nothing more. “Because you are my date.”
“Who am I trying to make jealous?”
“No one.”
“Then, why am I coming?”
“I need a hot woman on my arm to get a man to want you.”
“So I’m a distraction?”
“A hot distraction, yes.”
“And, why am I a hot distraction?”
“Because I need to steal a ring.”
She raises an eyebrow. “You could just buy a ring.”
I stare at her silently, and as usual, she can read my thoughts. “You found her.”
“Yes. Well technically, she found me. Kai came back.”
She nods. “What do you need me to do?”
“I already told you.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t want you to lose everything you’ve worked so hard to gain. Everything your entire life has been about. You were basically born Black. You have never been Rinaldi; I will do anything to help you retain the title. So tell me the truth. What do you need me to do?”
I sigh. There is no bullshitting Liesel; she knows me too well. “I will do everything possible to get the ring. Bet him in a poker game. Anything. But if I can’t…” I can’t say the words.
She smirks. “Say it Black.”
“I can’t.”
She shakes her head. “You always were a pussy. You want me to get him in bed and steal the ring.”
I nod.
She smiles. “Who is this man?”
I pull out my phone and pull up the image of him.
“Jesus! He’s fucking hot and rich!”
I nod.
“Done,” she says. “I’d fuck him for free.”
I exhale a deep breath. Thank God. If it came down to it, I wouldn’t be able to force her to fuck someone she didn’t want to. But Liesel likes men and sex. I figured this would be an easy sell. And even though I know she would do anything for me, she wouldn’t spread her legs only to help me.
She continues studying the phone on the ride to the pier. Learning everything she can about Milo Wallace.
“We’re here. I don’t think it will come down to it.” I take her hand and squeeze.
“Stop thinking about me as a girl. I like sex. And this man is hot. It wouldn’t really be a hardship if I had to. I might do it regardless of if you need me to or not.” She winks as the valet opens her door.
I step out and walk to her after talking with the valet. My eyes trail around in the dark looking for Langston, but I can’t spot him, which means he’s hidden well.
I hold out my arm, and she takes it. She leans
in and smiles, making it easily look like we are a real couple. We have that kind of connection.
We board the yacht, and everyone’s eyes turn to us. Between my powerful stance and Liesel’s sexy dress, we demand attention.
“We still got it,” I say leaning into Liesel’s ear.
She beams and squeezes my arm. “We do make a good couple.”
“Would you like a drink?”
“Do you even have to ask?”
I lead Liesel over to the bar. I get her champagne, not because it’s her favorite, but because it looks sexy as hell when she drinks it. And I get a scotch.
“So, this bitch, do you think she will show up tonight?” Liesel asks.
“She has a name and you know it.”
She shrugs. “I do, but I prefer to think of her as a bitch.”
“She’s not a bitch. She is as trapped in this situation as I am.”
She stops her drink inches from her lips and studies me. “Do you have a thing for this girl?”
“No, I just don’t want anything to happen to her. I protect her like I protect anyone else who is innocent.”
“You like her.” She shakes her head.
“No, I don’t. She’s my prisoner.”
She raises an eyebrow. “When did that happen?”
“When she lost a bet to me and ended up in my house. I will only let her go free when we finish this stupid game. That way I can control her and keep an eye on her.”
“So where is she now?”
I shrug. “Probably trying to figure out how to get her nerve up to get an invite to this party.”
She cocks her head, not understanding.
“She’s afraid of yachts.”
“Interesting.”
I shrug, and then I spot Milo.
He has a woman on each arm, a cigar hanging from his lips, and a scotch in hand.
“Game time,” I say, nodding in his direction with my eyes.
Liesel’s eyes cut over.
“Damn, he’s hotter in person.”
“And he already has two women you’ll have to compete with.”