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So much so that the bodyguards who sit on either side of him reach for their weapons, sensing danger. Their stares are trained on James and me, along with the two security men the firm has for these types of occasions.

I’m far less surprised to find the older man in one of Hawthorne Morgan’s—soon-to-be just Hawthorne—conference rooms. James prepared me for this last night, right before we went to bed.

Being railed against his desk earlier didn’t wipe out my memory. Nor did getting pampered by a hairstylist and a makeup artist an hour later.

I remember everything he tells me. He scheduled this meeting on purpose, my sneaky man. So that I’d be here. Sothat the man who’d been invested in buying me would get the message that I was off-limits.

I’m James’s.

Forever.

Click-clack.

His bodyguards load their guns.

The firm’s security does the same.

Alessandro huffs a laugh, patting their shoulders. “Stand down. I’m okay. Confused, but otherwise okay.”

He’s amused.

I’m less so. Memories of that terrifying night have bile rising in my throat. The hopelessness. Worrying about Baylor. About my chances of survival once James disappeared. The humiliation.

Nothing amusing about any of it.

“So.” Alessandro pushes his chair back so he can stand up, smoothing over his dark suit.

James senses my unease. Has to. That’s why he takes a half-step forward. Nothing major. Definitely not noticeable. Just enough to shield me from the world without being overbearing.

After all, he’s been training me for a reason. To be able to stand on my own two feet. With him, though, I’ll never be alone. Ever.

“Miss Monroe.” The mobster outstretches his hand. James gives me the briefest nod, telling me not to worry. So I don’t. I shake Alessandro’s hand. “Nice to meet you again.”

“Thank you.” I push out the bad thoughts, concentrating on James’s cum dripping out of my pussy, soaking my tights. “James tells me you weren’t disappointed for long.”

“Indeed.” His satisfied smirk widens before Alessandro lets go of my hand.

James did him a favor. It’s another lesson my man has taught me. Threatening people will only get us so far. If they hate us, they will find a way to retaliate against us.

We all take our seats at the table. I don’t miss how hot James is when he undoes the two buttons of his suit jacket with his big, strong hands.

“It’s usually Oliver handling the girls’ side of your business. While I’m pleasantly surprised to learn it was you who was the anonymous buyer who sent me my consolation prize, I can’t help but wonder.” His eyes go to James. “Where is he? His assistant said he was out for the day.”

“He took a day off.” James looks almost bored. Like Alessandro isn’t asking about the man we killed last night.

He’s mastered the art of keeping a straight face.

Just like he’s perfected the art of being a cruel, calculating bastard.

When he was done fucking me in his office this morning, he put his mouth to my ear and told me about his plans for baiting Topher. Tonight, he’ll be leaving the doors to his home unlocked, counting on his son’s short temper to try to break into our home.

Giving us the perfect excuse to kill him and hopefully Camden, if he joins him.

It’s an open-and-shut case of self-defense; that’s what this trap is.

And just in case things go haywire, I have a backup plan of my own. A secret.

“Good for him.” Alessandro nods, his gaze no longer creepy. I won’t ever trust this man, but at least he keeps his pervy eyes to himself. “He’s been working himself to the bone. A week off wasn’t enough for him.”