Chapter 19
Stefan
Fuck.
This was fucking painful.
Hours of playing cards. Which I normally wouldn't mind. If I was sitting down with the right people.
People I liked.
Not a bunch of assholes.
Namely Raul Ramiro.
Fuck, this guy was a real piece of work.
Surprisingly, he'd attached himself to me after a few tense moments. He'd asked, “Where's your brother? And Rosetti?” As he looked me over with cautious eyes.
I'd shrugged and answered back with, “Don't know. Don't care. After my little,” I sighed and crossed my arms, “accident, can't say I associate with either of them much.”
That news had delighted the hell out of him. A devious smile had crossed his face. “Good to know, Sovrano. Good to fuckin' know.” And then he'd slapped me on the back and invited me to sit beside him.
For hours, I made small talk. Lying about my relationship with my brother and Nick. Telling Raul how much I hated them. How they were the reason I'd almost died. How I didn't give a shit about them or their families.
Raul ate it all up with a fuckin' spoon. He couldn't get enough of my bullshit.
Nick's plan had worked. It was his idea to take this track with Raul. It was more than believable that I'd separate myself from my family and become a lone wolf of sorts. Carlo had agreed that was my best way into Raul's good graces as well.
While I had agreed to do this initially—I was now regretting my decision.
For one thing, Raul stunk like he'd bathed in his cologne. Which actually did absolutely nothing to mask the stench of his B.O.
Add that onto the fact that this guy constantly talked about women—in the most degrading way possible—and I was fucking done with his shit.
His penchant for virgins was on another level completely.
Raul was obsessed with taking women's innocence. To say it was disturbing would be a large understatement.
I was done.
I stood. “I'm done for tonight. I’ll see you later.”
Raul’s slimy hand grabbed onto my arm and yanked it. “Are you fuckin’ crazy, man? The main event is about to begin. And trust me. You don’t want to miss it.”
The guys around the table all laughed and nodded.
Then Raul slapped my arm and chuckled. “Sovrano. Sit your ass down. You ain't goin' nowhere.”
Had they gotten strippers? Because I was definitely not in the mood for that.
“Gentlemen, quiet down. The auction is about to start!” a man on the stage hollered into a microphone.
Everyone, including Raul, laughed again.
An auction?
What the hell kind of fuckin' auction were they having in this dump?
Likely not one for art.
“Help me welcome our first lady of the evening,” the man waved his arm out to the side. “She’s a nice, tight, stacked virgin, my friends. One hundred percent verified by our very own Dr. McKay.”
Jesus.
Are these guys serious right now? They were auctioning off—women?
“Fuck, me. I’m outta here.” Right as I stood again—I saw—
What the fuck?
Our eyes met.
And so many unsaid things transpired between us at that moment—that it almost leveled me.
Francesca.
My Francesca.
Here.
In the—practically bare—flesh.
The white bustier made her tits look even bigger. They were practically offering themselves to me.
And the real goddamn problem was—that I really wanted them.
And her white stocking-covered legs.
Christ.
I must have envisioned those gorgeous legs wrapping around my waist hundreds of times.
She'd cared for me. For weeks. Nursing me back to health.
She'd healed me. With her own two hands.
And right now, all I wanted to do was fuck her into next week.
“We are starting the bidding at fifty grand. Now, which one of you fine gentlemen will be the first to bid?”
Raul immediately put up his hand.
The auctioneer shouted, “All right! Raul is lookin’ for a new girl to break in!” The guys in the room all hooted and whistled.
Every guy in the room cheered.
I felt sick.
Francesca’s eyes—her gorgeous, frightened eyes—shot from Raul to me.
Fuck.
She was terrified.
I could feel it in my bones.
Just the thought of Raul’s disgusting hands on her made me want to rip his head off.
“One hundred thousand,” I said as I raised my hand.