The blood rushes to my ears at the sound of Sam’s voice. This could only mean one thing.
“I’m not a man you want to fuck with, Samantha. You’re a smart woman. Don’t tell me I got it wrong. I rarely do.” I can’t believe she’d be dumb enough to cross me. No one crosses me and gets to stay in this town. Sam might be powerful, but I have a lot of secrets on people around here. I could make her life hell.
“Now is that any way to talk to someone who has the thing you hold dearest?” Her tone is scolding, almost like a mother speaking to a child.
I take a deep breath, holding back what I want to say. I want to tell Sam I’ll make sure she never works in this town again. I don’t fuck around when people fuck with things that belong to me, and Georgia most certainly belongs to me. She’s belonged to me from the moment I first saw her. Having that attitude is how I made a name for myself, but I also remember Sam is about the bottom line. Why start a battle over something that could easily be solved with money?
“Sold, Sam. Whatever the price you’re trying to get for her, I’ll double it.”
“Oh, Don, that was just a little too easy for my liking.” Sam’s tone sounds bored, like I took all the fun out of it for her. I bite back a growl. She thinks this is a game and that I’m not about to fucking explode.
“Sorry to rain on your fucked up parade.”
Sam laughs through the phone. “You forgot to tell me you owe me a favor.”
“Owe you a fucking favor? Sam, you’re one step from—”
“I’m going to cut you off right there because I don’t want you to say something you can’t take back. I saved your ass, Don. That girl was out the fucking door and would have been at the nearest train station if it wasn’t for me. I stopped her and got her. You’re fucking welcome.”
“I would have found her.” I half growl the words. “I’m not going to thank you for wanting to auction her off.”
“Why wouldn’t you? I just assured you have thirty days with her. If you can’t get her to stay after than then...” Her words trail off, and I can almost see that shrug thing she does when men annoy her or she can’t even be bothered with something.
“Is she okay?” I finally ask. I need to know. It’s driving me crazy, but if I know anything about Sam, she never lets anything happen to her girls. I grit my teeth at the thought that she’s now one of Sam’s girls.
“She’s a runner. I know the look.” Her tone sounds a little sad.
I hate that she ran from me. I want her to run towards me, but she barely knows me. She probably has a shit list of other men’s bullshit she’s been through. Should that be my problem? Yes. Others might think you shouldn't take out your own problems on other people, but I want her to take them out on me. I want to help her work through it. Show her I can do that for her. Would do that for her. If she would just let me in.
“I lied to her, Don. I said the things I needed to to get her to come with me. I don’t like lying to my girls, Don. I want my favor.”
I’ve never seen someone collect so many favors in my life. What she did with them all, I have no idea. I’m not even sure if she uses them or just likes having them. Being in a man’s world, I’m sure it’s nice to have something over all of them.
“Fine. Have your favor, but you’re going to do something for me.”
“Is that so?” I can hear the smile in her voice. She knows she’s won.
I’ve got a little plan of my own. There will be no more running after I get my hands on my girl. I’ll make sure there will never be a way to leave me again. Or at least I’ll make it damn near impossible.
I sit down in my chair and lean back. “This is how this is going to work.”
Chapter Nine
Peaches
I’m pacing backstage and trying to recall my pageant days. This is nothing like doing the Miss Teen back in high school.
Looking around the room, I see a few other girls getting dressed. I guess you could call it dressed; some of them are wearing only a pair of panties.
Clenching my fists at my sides, I try to close my eyes, breathing through the butterflies. This was totally the right decision. Right?
“First time?”
I open my eyes and see a woman getting ready in the mirror next to me turn around and raise an eyebrow.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m trying to remind myself that I don’t have a talent portion coming up.” I laugh nervously, and she winks at me.
“Thank God. I’d hate to hear some of these girls sing,” she says. Reaching out her hand, she introduces herself. “I’m Kim. The veteran Mistress, if you will.”