Page 62 of Duchess

"I thought you'd never talk to me again."

"What do you want, Caleb?"

“Why’d you leave so early, baby. My cock missed you.”

Rhea started to say something and Obsidian quickly clamped her hand over her mouth. I looked at both of them, signaling them to keep quiet.

“What the fuck do you want, Caleb?” I asked, ignoring Rhea’s death glare.

"I simply want your services for an event."

"And you honestly think that I'm going to put my girls in jeopardy and send them to you?"

"It's a private company event. I assure you, nothing will happen to your lovely ladies. They will just need to keep some of my executives entertained."

"And what do you need me for?"

"Because I'd like for you to be my escort."

He had this way of instigating me, and my blood began to heat up as he spoke. "Iownthe Violent Delights, Mr. Killic. I don't offer the service."

"I just want a truce, Miss Winters. You are up for a truce, right?"

"I don't do truces with criminals."

He chuckled. "Then I'll pay you. How does twenty million sound?" Roulette reached out to the phone and pressed the mute button.

"Do it," she gritted her teeth as the words came out, seeming as though it hurt her more than it did me.

"You realize that what you’re agreeing to is to let him purchase me?"

She nodded. "The way I see it, this is our way in."

We stared at each other, and his voice interrupted us. " What do you say, Duchess? Twenty million, isn't that what you go for these days?"

"I'll fucking kill hi… " Obsidian leapt at the phone as I raised my hand to stop her.

I pressed my finger to my lips as I took him off mute.

“I go for thirty, motherfucker.”

His laugh filled the room, and it gave me a sharp thrill I didn’t expect. “Thirty million it is. Where do I wire the money to?”

“Obsidian will send you the account.”

"Perfect. It's nice doing business with you, Duchess."

"I wouldn't say the same."

"Oh, and wear a sexy dress. I want to make sure I'm envied by every man there."

I slammed the phone down, seething in anger.

“Don’t let him get to you, Steph. He’s just trying to get a rile out of you.” Rhea said.

"He's degrading her on purpose," Obsidian stated.

"It's what those men do. He wants to win and put you in your place. Don’t let him do it." Rhea said calmly.