Page 7

What in the fuck? I only landed in Milan a short time ago, the arms deal going off without a hitch.

I thought I could grab a quick meal before meeting up with my uncle to get a report on Mila’s whereabouts, but instead, Eldar called me to a bar on the outskirts of the city. I had no idea what awaited me.

Certainly not this.

The place was small, but packed. Bright lights swirled, and music blared over the sounds of shouting men. And then I saw what they were all so excited about. Pushing my way through the throng, I had to throw a few elbows to make it to the front.

My eyes roamed Mila’s curves. Almost every beautiful inch of her was on display, and all the fantasies I’d been trying to shove to the side over the last few days rushed to the surface.

Her lush lower lip trembled as she backed away from the men’s reaching hands.

Both fear and anger flashed in her eyes as she scanned the crowd, finally settling on me. Fear won.

The terror written all over her face should have satisfied me far more than the sight of her body, but it only enraged me.

Breaking free from her gaze, I shoved back through the crowd of men who were shouting and waiting for their chance to …

what? Nothing good. I found Eldar and tore him off his barstool, gripping his collar until his eyes bulged and letting his feet dangle off the floor.

“What in the hell is going on?” I demanded. We weren’t even supposed to have Mila in custody yet. This wasn’t part of the plan because there wasn’t a plan. Certainly not this.

“It’s an auction,” he said, confirming my suspicion. “We’ll make money and humiliate our enemies at the same time. What could be better?” Despite being half-strangled in my grip, he crowed with victory.

No. Hell no. Mila was mine. Mine to do with as I pleased. I did not share. “Shut it down,” I said, letting Eldar go so he could call everything off.

“It’s not that easy,” he informed me. “There are some very powerful men here. They won’t be pleased to have their chance at a new toy ripped away. And by that, I mean they’ll definitely retaliate.”

As if I needed more enemies. God, I never realized how depraved Eldar actually was before this. His level of greed disgusted even me, and it must have shown on my face.

“Go ahead and leave if it offends your sensibilities,” he sniffed. “As for me, I’m going to enjoy the show. Maybe even throw out a few numbers to hike up the bidding.”

It was then that it registered that numbers were already being shouted out left and right. No one was holding back; each of these degenerates determined to win my woman.

That wasn’t going to happen.

Rushing back to the front, I shouted an amount that caused the other bidders to go silent for a moment. Good, that was easy. And well worth it.

And then some bastard decided to test me, raising my bid a staggering amount.

After I countered, I turned and sought him out in the crowd, giving him a look that would have anyone shriveling with fear and remorse for crossing me.

He only put up his chin and ignored me, shouting yet another bid.

It hit me that I recognized him—a minor prince of some defunct monarchy who still clutched onto his inherited wealth and bit of power.

It could be done, but it would be difficult to just make someone like that disappear. I’d do it, though, if he didn’t keep his damn mouth shut after I raised his bid.

Another fool joined, raising before I could. Fuck this.

“Two million,” I called, doubling the current amount.

A murmur passed through the crowd like a wave, then curses, but no more shouts. I won because, of course, I would. Mila was already mine from the start. The music stopped, and someone announced it in several different languages, letting the others know.

Mila Fokin belonged to me. The most beautiful woman I’d ever seen should have never been cowering on a stage in front of this pack of wolves. I jumped onto the raised platform and swept her into my arms, both shielding her from their view and yanking her lush curves against me.

“I’ll kill you for this,” she hissed.

Maybe she would. There was certainly enough fire in her blue eyes that I could believe she meant to try. And I was going to love every second of her attempts.

Raking my fingers into her soft tangle of blonde hair, I finally claimed the mouth that had been tormenting my imagination.

Mila Fokin belonged to me.