32. Lev
As if I’m determined to drive my point home to Brooke that I am not a very good man, when the auction starts, I let my darkness come out to play.
My blood is still boiling that Vlad is here.
So when the auction starts, and he makes a bid for a diamond choker, I decide to bid higher.
I have no need for diamonds.
Hell, with my money, I could buy a diamond mine.
But he wants this piece, so I’m going to make sure he doesn’t get it.
Let the mudak learn that he should never challenge me, or I will go after everything you have and everything you want.
I don’t know why I am letting him get under my skin like this. Probably because I saw him talking with Vadim at Boris’ birthday celebration, and I didn’t like it. Seeing them huddled together made me wonder if they are working together to take me out.
Although, my uncle would have to be pretty desperate to form an alliance with a street hustler like Vlad who has no alliances of his own, no experience, and absolutely no power.
But if Vadim is desperate enough, who knows what he is capable of?
“One hundred thousand dollars,” he bids loudly, holding up his paddle.
He glances over at me, a slimy grin on his face. Then his gaze shifts to Brooke and lingers. He licks his lips, and I can see the hunger in his snake eyes.
I hold up my bid paddle. “Three hundred and fifty thousand motherfucking dollars.”
The room erupts with gasps, and I don’t know if it’s because of my foul language or the fact that I just dropped more money in this room than everyone combined tonight.
I don’t need to look at Vlad to know he’s burning holes at me right now with his beady little eyes.
Bid again, motherfucker, and I’ll keep outbidding you until you’re broke.
But he doesn’t.
Because he doesn’t have anywhere near the resources and power that I do.
And now everyone in this room knows it.
The auctioneer slams down his hammer. “Sold to the very distinguished gentleman at table one.”
People clap and watch with fascination as the necklace is brought to me. The box it’s in is open, and the diamonds glitter brightly against the black velvet.
As everyone watches keenly, I take the choker from the box, slide it around Brooke’s slender throat, and secure it at the clasp. She gasps, and the room hums with murmurs of delight.
I look across at Vlad, who is watching.
Then I fix him with a dark gaze that reads one thing.
Mine.