Page 3 of Sold to the Silver Foxes (Forbidden Hearts #6)

NICO

No matter how early you start preparing for the end-of-year holidays, you’ll still be drowning in last-minute tasks when December rolls around.

It’s a law, I think. At least, that’s how it always goes at the Moretti offices—quarterly reports, final contracts, year-end bonuses, product launch teasers for next quarter, and all sorts of other loose ends that pile up on my desk like an avalanche of corporate nonsense.

A headache is throbbing behind my temples, probably from too much coffee and not enough real food. But if I can finalize these numbers today, it’ll make for a smoother new year.

Across from me, my analytics lead, Kelsey, is seated at the small conference table, double-checking a few columns of data.

Two other team members are perched at laptops, inputting last-minute figures.

Their hushed whispers and the rhythmic clack of keys fill the room.

We’re on a roll, and if luck is on our side, we’ll be done before evening.

The entire Moretti headquarters will shut down for the holidays in a couple of weeks, and I’m determined that we’ll return in January to find everything under control.

Salvatore—my older brother and the CEO—shares that mindset.

Even now, he’s here, thumbing through something on his phone, no doubt another spreadsheet.

He’s done his best to line up each department so we’re not scrambling. But inevitably, the real scramble starts now, especially in finance. That’s my domain as CFO, and I won’t let him down.

Suddenly, the door to my office bursts open without a knock.

Dante strides in like a whirlwind—grinning, energetic, practically vibrating with excitement.

A twinge of annoyance spikes through me, like always.

Nothing personal against my younger brother, but why now?

He’s exactly the kind of distraction we don’t need.

“Kelsey, you and the rest—out!” Dante says, waving a hand as if he owns the place.

Kelsey glances at me, eyebrows lifted. The other two employees exchange puzzled looks. My jaw tightens. “Ignore him,” I say firmly, turning to Dante. “We’re in the middle of something important. Whatever it is, Dante, it can wait.”

Dante shakes his head. “Nope. We need everyone out, pronto.”

I scowl at him, shoulders tensing. “This is my office, Dante. If you have something to say, say it.”

But Dante just winks, then glances at my staff. “Seriously, guys, time to step out. Family emergency.”

None of them believe him. Neither do I.

Exasperation flares in my chest. He’s not exactly giving me a choice, unless I want to stage a showdown right here in front of my employees. My gaze flicks to Kelsey, who’s still perched with her notepad in hand, looking uncomfortable.

With a sigh, I concede. “Fine. Everyone out for a few minutes, please. I’ll text you when we’re done.”

Kelsey and the others gather their papers, saving spreadsheets, then slip past Dante, shooting curious glances. That leaves me, Dante, and Sal. He’s silent, but there’s a stormy glare in his eyes. He hates when Dante’s like this—all balls and no brains. It’s not my favorite version of him either.

Once the door closes, I fold my arms on the desk, trying not to let my frustration boil over. “Alright, Dante, what’s so urgent that you interrupt us during holiday prep? Some new skydiving stunt? A half-baked plan to summit Mount Everest in winter?”

He laughs, and it’s a sound I haven’t heard from him—lighter than it’s been in a while. His eyes are bright. He’s in a good mood.

What is that going to cost us?

He smirks. “Not exactly. But it’s definitely an adventure.”

Next to him, Sal stands rigid, his expression unreadable except for a faint scowl. “We’re waiting.”

“Check your phones, both of you. I sent an invitation.”

Sometimes it’s a rave in Ibiza, sometimes it’s an extreme sports retreat in South America. Whatever it is, I’m not going. He should know that by now.

On my phone, a minimalistic black-and-silver webpage opens, referencing an auction taking place this weekend at The Armory.

I don’t recognize the name. “Some kind of art auction?”

Sal lifts an eyebrow and glances from the screen to Dante. He doesn’t say anything, but his expression clearly demands an explanation.

Dante slides into one of the chairs opposite my desk, crossing his legs casually. “A virginity auction.”

I snort a laugh, but Sal doesn’t. He just stares at Dante.

Our little brother continues, “This club—The Armory—hosts an annual event. People bid on virgins who are offering up their first time. I paid our entrance fees, so we’re all set.”

For a moment, my mind goes blank. “You can’t be serious.”

Dante’s grin widens. “Yeah. This Armory place is up-and-coming, even competing with Black Fox. The difference is, The Armory’s bigger on secrecy, and they focus on lavish one-off events. I figure it might be exactly what we need—a break from the usual.”

I stare at him, trying to process. Black Fox is the kink club that the three of us occasionally go to, strictly off-the-grid and hush-hush. We’re no prudes, and we’ve indulged in some unique experiences, but a virginity auction? That’s a step beyond anything I’d expect, even from Dante.

“And by we , you mean you , right?” I say, flipping my phone around. “Because I have no intention of participating in such an unsavory event right before the holidays.”

Dante holds up his hands in mock surrender.

“Hear me out. You’re drowning in work, which means you haven’t relaxed in months, maybe years.

Sal’s about to drop dead from stress—no offense,” he adds with a sideways glance at Sal, who just snorts.

“And I’m itching for something new. This is a weekend thing, a chance for us to blow off steam together. Like old times.”

Sal’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t contradict Dante’s summary.

That alone is surprising. Typically, Sal would be the first to shut down anything that might cause a scandal, especially where the Moretti name is concerned.

Instead, Sal stands there, arms crossed, giving me a look that says, Let’s see how you handle this .

Great. I get to be the grown-up in the room. Just what I always wanted.

I try to keep my composure. “Dante, do you realize how insane this sounds? I have a mountain of tasks to finish before we close the offices for the holidays. If I leave now, the entire finance department might riot.”

“This is exactly why you need to get away. You’re letting the job consume you. If you don’t come up for air soon, you’ll drown.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” I shoot back. “You flit around the globe and never face the day-to-day grind. Some of us actually have to keep the business running.”

Dante lifts one shoulder in a carefree shrug.

“And that’s exactly why you should take a weekend for yourself.

The business will survive. It’s been around for over a hundred years.

You think one weekend without you, and it’ll crumble?

What do you think the business did before you were born? You gotta unwind.”

I let out a humorless laugh. “Is sleeping with a virgin who’s up for auction your idea of unwinding?”

Dante’s mouth quirks. “Oh, come on. We’re all into kink.

This is just a new spin on things. We can bid or not bid, watch or participate—no one’s forcing you to do anything.

Come up for air, Nico. Live a little.” He adds, “And, because I’m a generous brother, I paid the VIP entrance for all of us.

So we have every option available to us.

Besides, I miss my brothers. We haven’t done any real bonding in months. ”

I glance at Sal, searching for backup. He’s no stranger to our more hedonistic hobbies behind closed doors, but there’s no way he’s on board with this. “Tell me you’re going to tell him to scrap this insane plan so we can focus on year-end business.”

Sal’s dark eyes lock on mine. For a moment, I expect him to say it. But instead, his jaw shifts, and he grumbles, “We’re going.”

My eyes widen. “Excuse me?”

“I said, we’re going,” Sal repeats. Then he pushes off the doorframe, crossing into my office with slow, deliberate steps.

I stare at both of them, dumbfounded. “But you—both of you—know how dangerous a scandal could be, right? If the press gets wind that the Moretti brothers are attending a fucking virginity auction, can you imagine the headlines?”

Sal stops by my desk, and his mouth twitches. “He’s right. You worry too much.”

Dante laughs triumphantly as I rub my temples, feeling the dull headache intensify. “This is insane.”

Dante teases, “That’s a funny way of saying thank you.”

“Don’t push it,” I say, leveling a warning look. “Just…keep this under wraps. The last thing we need is half the city finding out we’re dabbling in some questionable event.”

His expression softens slightly. “Relax, Nico. I might be reckless, but I’m not stupid.

Discretion is my middle name, especially when it comes to protecting the family.

Now, if you’ll excuse me…” He tilts his head at the door.

“I’ve got a million calls to make, ensuring everything’s lined up for Saturday. ” He heads out right behind Sal.

For a long moment, I stare at the closed door, still half-convinced this is some bizarre dream. A virginity auction. An entire weekend spent at a secret club with my two brothers, presumably bidding on…women who’ve never been touched. Normally, I prefer women with some experience under their belts.

It’s like going to a doctor. I don’t want the one who’s never seen a patient before. I want an expert.

And yet, I can’t deny the spark of intrigue that stirs in my gut. Maybe I’ve been too locked into my routine and my responsibilities, ignoring the other parts of life.

Since when is Sal down for whatever craziness Dante’s into?

Weird day.

I guess I’ll find out soon enough if this is a clever idea or a ticking time bomb.

As my team and I get restarted, I do my best to look attentive.

But in the back of my mind, I can’t stop replaying Sal’s final words: We’re going.

Just two words, heavy with finality. I know that once Sal’s decided, there’s no going back. Whether I like it or not, I’m in.