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That should tell you enough.

“Is that so?” Tilting his head, his eyes threw grenades across the table at Virgo. “You're full of shit. How can we trust you if you lie to us?”

“What goes on in my life is none of your fucking business.” Cocking his head, Virgo snarled. “Ethan, what the fuck is this shit? I'll end this whole thing right now if you can't keep your dog on his leash.”

“Dog?” Machi growled, his body stiffening, muscles flexing into stone.

Ethan held up his hands, bouncing them in the air to settle the testosterone that was clearly starting to take over. “Gentlemen, gentlemen, this is not what we're here for.” Dancing his eyes between them, he stopped on Virgo. “What Machi is trying to say is that we need to be cautious. Some of our clients are high-end, they're already taking a huge risk making this type of purchase. We don't need anything else to draw attention on us or them.” Tapping the long ash off the end of his cigar, he smiled big. “We're putting our faith in you, and we want to make sure the product is worth our efforts. Sylvan won't settle for anything less, we need top of the line.”

“But not children, no fucking children.”

Virgo and Machi were staring at each other, their pupils as small as pinpricks as if they were having a silent battle. Machi balled his fists, his knuckles turning bright white as he bared his teeth.

“Look, you came to me for a reason,” Virgo finally said, his voice low and firm. “I won't deal with any bullshit, and I certainly won't deal with some asshole that I don't know, coming into my home and questioning me.”

“Of course, Machi is sorry.” Ethan cocked his head and looked at Machi. “Apologize to the man, you're disrespecting him in his own home.”

“Fuck that, I won't apologize for shit.” Leaning back, he folded his arms across his chest. “You brought me because Sylvan respects my judgment. I don't think we need this shit. Foreign women, who might carry some shit we're not aware of—is that what Sylvan really wants? At least we know what our girls have before we do anything. This is a risk, Ethan, a huge risk. It's like finding out your puppy is sick after you already bought it from the pet store.”

Ethan's face tensed as he spoke through clenched teeth. “This is not the time nor the place, Machi. This is what Sylvan wants, so this is what we're doing.”

“Did you forget about the Russian girl ? How do we know she didn't come from this prick?”

Virgo slammed his fist down, pushing out his voice across the table. “I don't deal in Russian whores.” Taking in a deep breath, he ran flat palms down the front of his suit. “Look, I can get you what you want, and it won't be shit. My girls are top of the line.” Slipping his hand down Val's head, a devious smile spread across his face. “Sylvan knows this, which is why he sent you to me.” Bouncing a hand in the air, he rested back in his seat. “Gentlemen, I'm willing to do this deal, I'm willing to take a risk on this, because I think it can work for all of us. But I won't tolerate any bullshit.”

“Understood,” Ethan said, glancing back at Machi. “Do you think you can shut your fucking mouth, Machi?”

“As long as I don't see anyone under the age of eighteen, we won't have an issue. We're all aware of the danger in that, right?” Arching a brow, Machi peered at Virgo, bringing his chest right against the edge of the table.

“Do I look like a fool?” Virgo asked.

“Well, there is a fifteen year old girl sitting right behind you. So, you tell me.”

“She's none of your fucking concern. I won't tell you that again.”

Machi flicked his eyes to me, but this time I didn't look away. His face had softened, as if he was hoping I could read his mind. He looked like he wanted to say more to me, but he didn't, simply nodding his head as his eyes floated back to Virgo.

“Can we get down to business now?” Ethan asked as he smoked his cigar.

The two talked numbers, going back and forth until they both seemed satisfied with the end results. I sat in shock, fully aware that the man I had been living with wasn't just hiring prostitutes for himself or holding women against their will. . .

He was selling them like livestock.

“I'll be in touch soon.” Virgo said with a smile as he stood up and shook Ethan's hand. “Let me walk you out.” Looking back at me, he nodded his head. “Come, my sweet child.”

Standing up, I followed a little behind the men. Virgo and Ethan were talking and laughing as we made our way to the front door. My eyes were itching to see that door as temptation to run out it the second it was opened rushed through my brain.

My blood began to pump hard, my heart beat faster and faster as that temptation twisted into a viable opportunity.

He'll kill you if you try that. You'll never make it, one of them will grab you.

Talking myself out of it, I realized how stupid of an idea it was. There were four grown men between me and that door, there was no way in hell I'd make it through.

Watching my feet as I walked, I felt the weight of someone beside me. Looking up, Machi had trickled back, his pace matching mine.

Keeping his head forward, he softly whispered. “If you need my help, just say the word.”

The way he said it made me almost believe him. He seemed sincere, real, like the thought of a child being in this home made him concerned.