TWO.

Someone grabs me by the arm and leads me off the stage. Stunned into silence with my gaze penetrating Ace Ripleys’, I subconsciously allow them.

“Birdene, I need you to pay attention.” Fingers snapping in front of my face pull me out of the bubble I created around me.

Shaking my head; ridding the fog that clouds my mind. I look at the lady with the clipboard in her hand.

“I’m sorry, you were saying?” I ask her after clearing my throat.

She sighs with a slight roll of her eyes. I assume she’s the type of woman that doesn’t like to repeat herself.

“I said… you are very lucky to have Mr Ripley. He is a generous man, and I believe you are the third girl he has placed a bid on since he joined us back in 2015.”

I release a shuddering breath, raise my hand, and wrap my fingers around my throat.

“I’m sorry. But there’s been a huge misunderstanding. When I was asked by the doorman if I was here for the auction, I thought he meant-”

Her brows pinch together as her phone dings, and she swipes her finger across the touch screen. “If what you are saying is true, there is nothing that can be done.” She replies, turning her phone around to face me. “Mr Ripley has already wired the money to the charity of your choice. Save The Children.”

“I…” My words fade from my lips as my heart plummets into the pit of my stomach.

“Look, it’s only for a month and all you have to do is warm up to him before you sleep with him. I’ve heard he is a very generous lover and anything you need, he will supply.”

My jaw clenches. If only it were that easy to spread my legs and let him have his wicked way with me. Ace Ripley is the type of man you are warned to stay away from. 

He is the devil who likes to dress in Prada. Taking what he wants, when he wants it, with no shits given.

My father hates him with a passion, and he has good reason to. The second my grandfather took his final breath, Ace came crashing through our lives like a tornado, destroying everything my grandfather had spent his entire adult life building.

If my mother wasn’t born from old money. They would be dead broke.

“I know who Ace Ripley is, and he is anything but a generous man.” I spit out with an icy chill riding the fine line of my spine, causing me to shudder.

“Hello, Little Bird…” His voice is like silk caressing the hardshell of my ear as he uses the pet name he has given me from the first day we met. “It’s been what…”

“Ten years,” I reply, lifting my chin as I straighten my back. “Ten years since I begged you not to take my grandfather’s pride and joy.”

“Ahhh, yes,” he chuckles, walking around to stand in front of me. “You have grown.” He says with a lopsided smirk tarnishing one corner of his mouth.

“And you’ve gotten…”

“Powerful. Richer.” Leaning in closer to me, his lips are a whisper away from grazing mine, “devilishly good-looking?”

“Old,” I reply through gritted teeth as I turn my head away from him.

He lifts his hand, taking hold of my jaw, and he forces me to meet his gaze once again. 

“Such a pretty little mouth you have, Little Bird.” He growls darkly. “I can find one use for it and if you’re not careful, I’ll have to demonstrate what I mean. Right here in front of all these people, watching. Is that something you want, Little Bird?” His fingers squeeze my jaw harder, forming an O-like shape with my lips.

Unable to reply with my words, I shake my head with tears brimming my eyes.

Aces’ brows arch as he lifts his other hand and sticks two fingers into my mouth; shoving them down my throat.

“Fuck me…” He hisses, adding another finger. “Your gag reflex… you will take my cock like a good little slut, won’t you, Little Bird?” Removing his fingers from my mouth, he wipes them on my dress, deliberately grazing them over my pebbling nipples.

I internally gasp as a surge of desire rides my body, encircling my clit.

“I asked you a question, Little Bird.” His voice is harsh and clipped as he releases my jaw.

Licking my lips, I take a step back from him, needing to create some distance between us. 

“Unless you wish to end up dickless, Ace. I double dare you to try to force me to suck you off like a needy little slut you so desperately want me to be, for you.” My voice slightly trembles, matching the tempo of my heart.

A look of amusement flashes in his eyes before it is replaced with something else. Something sinister. He raises his arm, looking past me, and he waves someone over.

“Boss,” a man dressed in all black says from behind me.

“Escort Ms. Black to my sedan. It should be out front waiting for me.”

“Yes, Mr Ripley.”

“Hurt a hair on her head, Holden, and your entire family will feel my wrath.” Ace hisses, rubbing his right hand over his left knuckles.

Panic seeps into the branches of my heart as this all starts to feel very real. “Ace…” I whisper. “Please… just let me go?” I beg.

Sighing, he steps forward until he is towering over me. He lifts his hand to caress the side of my face, but I flinch, turning my head away from him.

“Take her.” He snarls, turning away as he runs his fingers through his hair.

After being handed a long trench coat to slip on, Holden silently escorts me out of the building. As we exit the twin doors, we come to an abrupt halt when Ross and Caleb step out in front of us.

Ross wraps his thick fingers around my upper arm and drags me behind him. “You have forced my hand, Ms. Birdene. You must be punished accordingly.”

“Let me go!” I exclaim, using my other hand to hit him. “I’m twenty years old. You cannot force me to return home to my parents.” My voice cracks and I start to panic.

Looking over my shoulder, I watch Caleb strike Holden across the back of the head with the handle of his gun. I do my best to plant my feet on the ground, struggling against Ross as he desperately tries to force me into the back of the SUV.

“No…” I cry out as his fingers dig into my arm, leaving a bite of pain in their wake.

Two gunshots reverberate through the cool air, causing both myself and Ross to freeze. Slowly, we turn our necks to the side to find Ace with Caleb in his grasp and a gun pressed against Calebs' head.

“You have something that belongs to me,” Ace claims in a calm but fierce tone that screams trouble. “If you value the life of your colleague, I suggest you release Ms. Black from your clutches.”

Ross pulls me in front of him, using my body to shield his. “Ms. Birdene has been summoned home by Mr. and Mrs. Black.”

Tilting his head, Ace closes his eyes as he uses the heel of his hand that’s holding his gun to rub the side of his head. “I’m a man with little words, and when I tell you to release what is mine, I expect you to do it.” Lowering his head, he meets my gaze. “Do you wish to return home, Little Bird?” His voice is cold and stern.

I shake my head.

“Words, Little Bird. I need to hear you say it.”

Inhaling sharply, “no. Please don’t make me return home, Ace.”

Raising his brows. “Does that mean you want to come home with me?”

Hesitantly, I nod my head.

It's not like I have much of a choice if I don't want to end up barefoot and pregnant with my Uncle.

“Words,” Ace growls with frustration, pressing the tip of his gun against Calebs' temple once again.

“Ye…yes.”

He nods his head and pulls the trigger, killing Caleb in cold blood.

I scream, falling to my knees while covering my ears with my hands and closing my eyes. The sound of a second gunshot causes my body to jolt, and the sensation of Ross falling behind me consumes me.

A pair of large hands pick me up, crushing me against a warm wall of pure muscle, compelling me to open my eyes. I lift my gaze to meet Aces’ as he effortlessly carries me in his arms.

“You're safe, Little Bird. No one is going to hurt you.” He says in a soothing tone that makes me want to believe him.