Chapter 54

ASHER

Fennick ushers me into the back of his car, revealing an interior with four seats facing each other. Two burly men in black suits and white shirts occupy one side, looking like they’re ready for a business meeting. Fennick gestures for me to sit across from them with a firm push.

I slide into the seat, my heart pounding as he shuts the door behind me. Part of me wants to test the door, to see if I can escape, but something warns me against it.

I can’t shake the feeling that I’m in deep trouble, and I know I’ve walked into this situation willingly. But that doesn’t stop the anxiety from coursing through my veins, making me feel jittery and on edge.

The anxiety should be making me scared, filling me with dread and a desperate desire to escape. But that’s not what I’m feeling.

Instead, I’m drawn to the thrill of the unknown, the adrenaline rush it brings. That’s why I lean back in the seat, acting as if I’m oblivious to the danger lurking just around the corner.

Fennick slides into the seat across from me, spreading his legs wide as he pulls out a pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket. The car starts moving, and I know there’s no turning back.

“Do you remember our conversation before you took my girls?” he asks, taking a drag from his cigarette.

“Sure,” I reply, my gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window.

“Would you like to set a date for your first drop-in?” he continues.

“We’ll drop in when we’re ready,” I respond, keeping my tone casual.

“Hmm.” He chuckles, a smile spreading across his face before he speaks again.

I can’t help but turn toward him, his laughter hinting at some impending revelation.

“I heard you have another one of my girls,” he says, taking another puff from his cigarette.

“I do?” I feign ignorance.

“Mm-hmm, a slim brunette with a Southern accent and the looks of a supermodel,” he elaborates.

That description fits Maddison perfectly, although I wouldn’t classify her as model material. She’s more of the girl-next-door type, the kind you’d want to keep around.

Not like these high-maintenance girls who starve themselves to maintain an unrealistic body image. No, Maddison isn’t like those models plastered all over magazines and billboards.

“Ah, yes. Hope, wasn’t it?” I ask.

“Yes. Yes, Hope,” he repeats her name.

I nod, oblivious to the storm brewing within him. His words are the only indication of his anger about Maddison staying under my roof.

“My silent partner seems to think he can make decisions without my knowledge or consent. But as you might know, being the CEO of your own company means you get to call the shots. And that girl is MINE. So you see, dear boy.” He pats my leg with his own, drawing my attention back to him. “You don’t get what you don’t pay for.”

I swallow hard.

Of course.

It’s all about money. He’s here to collect payment for Maddison staying at my place.

And who is this silent partner, and what deal has Maddison made without my knowledge? I ponder these questions. His hand turns my face to meet his gaze.

“In this life, Asher, you pay for what you have. And she doesn’t belong to you, nor does she belong to Jonathon.” He releases my face, and I keep my eyes on him, waiting for his demand.

Money.

Something I used to have in abundance. Something my parents let me spend freely until I rejected the role they wanted me to play.

Looking back, maybe I should have asked for a gradual transition into the job. Maybe I should have told them I felt unprepared, or even gone back to school to buy myself some time.

But I didn’t think of that in the heat of the moment. Instead, I flat-out refused, angering them to the point where they cut me off.

They left me with no choice but to learn a hard lesson. And believe me, I’ve learned it.

I get it.

Once again, they were serving up my life on a silver platter, complete with all the trimmings. The business, the money, the drugs, the girls—all of it could have been mine with just a snap of my fingers.

But I chose to toss it all aside. I chose the danger, the uncertainty, and the chance to help girls with my last dollar, even if it meant my personal space was invaded.

My life is potentially at risk. But, you know what? I don’t think I’d have it any other way.

I have three girls in my apartment, two of whom have been violated by the man standing before me, and I am their protector.

I did it.

I proved I could be as good as my father.

“I’ll send you twenty thousand,” I mumble, reaching for the door handle.

That’s a fair offer, right? That’s how you negotiate, isn’t it?

A sudden punch to my gut sends me reeling back into my seat, my hand flying away from the door. Pain radiates through my stomach, causing my eyes to widen in shock.

“I know she’s used goods, boy, and she’s not the freshest face of the bunch, but you can do better than that, can’t you?” Fennick chuckles.

His laughter is choked by the smoke he exhales.

“Thirty,” I counter.

“One hundred thousand fucking dollars,” he drawls back.

“Thirty-five,” I respond, keeping my face impassive to hide the fear and excitement coursing through me.

“Ninety,” he counters.

“Forty,” I grit out.

“Come on; she can give just as good as she gets. Or have you not sampled that particular bit of flesh yet?”

His words disgust me. He’s talking about a living, breathing girl who has no idea that we’re bargaining over her life in this car.

“Fifty. Final fucking offer,” I spit out, sounding just like my father.

Just like Zach when he’s in a meeting and refuses to let things go any other way but his.

Fennick takes a final drag from his cigarette, and I watch through smoke-filled eyes as he shakes his head and laughs.

“Someone found their Daddy’s spirit,” he says. “Fifty it is; I expect it to be wired within the hour. And don’t fucking forget you’ve had those girls five days already, son.”

I’m not prepared when his henchman kicks me out of the car, and I tumble onto the sidewalk in a heap, hoping no one saw the commotion.

My bags are thrown at me, and my phone lands on my chest as the car speeds off into the sunrise.

I gather my bearings and realize I’m outside Daniel’s office.

Shit.

Another fifty bucks.

Idiot.

Today, I learned two lessons.

“Expect the unexpected.”

“And I’m being fucking watched.”