CHAPTER 8 A Scared Kitten

　　Damon's POV

　　When the auction came to an end all I was thinking about was that young woman with her trembling body standing on that stage. She was dehumanized, humiliated, and most of all, scared.

　　I couldn’t stand her look of fear and it was beyond my understanding how breathing human beings were able to perform such cruelty on others! One thing I knew for sure, she didn’t want to be here so only one possibility was real…she was forced to do this.

　　The idea alone makes me sick and I feel rage awaking deep inside me. Newfound anger that when I visit me nothing god comes from it! All I could think about was her, I wanted to take her away from here, take her home, where she’d be safe far away from all those twisted people!

　　As I stood up my father did the same but of course, we couldn't just leave quietly!

　　Richard approach us with his stupid yet half-annoyed smile.

　　Richard: The great Damon Tenner bid for a virgin? That's something you don't see every day! Who would have thought that you had such wicked taste!

　　Damon: Listen to me you motherfucker—

　　As soon as the words leave his mouth I want to grab him by the neck and strangle him without having to think of it twice. I honestly don't think I can restrain my anger since I am a step from beating him to death, but my father stops me placing a hand on my shoulder keeping me at a safe distance from him.

　　Michael: Please Damon. Don't cause a scene. Not now.

　　Richard: Yeah listen to your father, bank man! No hard feelings anyway! I prefer experience, so I wouldn't care less for your little pet!

　　He points at the exit where the two whores wink at him as soon as he lays his eyes on them. But I won't leave it at that. Not again, not this time!

　　I take a step closer to him and lightly grab the collar of his shirt, enough for him to understand I am not playing!

　　Damon: If you ever again insult me, my family, or the girl I bid for, I will destroy you, Leone. Don’t think for a moment I will hesitate, because I won’t. You could bring all your goons and your toy guns if you must, but if you mess with me again even those won’t be enough to protect your pathetic ass. Did I make myself clear?!

　　Before I grabbed him he had taken in a sip from his cigar and he literally chokes in his own saliva trying to release the smoke.

　　Richard: Fuck you, Tenner!

　　He scoffs at me as I let him go and he takes some stumbling steps backward regaining his balance and his breath. He cursed under his breath while leaving but I knew he was scared. As he should be! I wasn’t a man who used threats money, or power to control others. But when I did they’d better listen, cause my word was as worthy as a contract, and nobody would want theirs to be a dead one.

　　My father approaches me with a sigh as we watch Richard retreating away.

　　Michael: You need to control your anger son. It's up to no good.

　　Damon: How am I supposed to? When he comes at my face like he owns the world! He is fucking sick! Like everyone in this fucking room! And we need to go take that girl and leave this place!

　　Michael: I know...This was off-limits. Stillman shouldn't have allowed that. We will need to have a word with them.

　　Damon: James would never allow that. We both know who did.

　　Michael: Unfortunately we do.

　　But right now even that doesn’t matter!

　　Damon: Enough of that. Let's go take her.

　　Only she does!

　　He nods and we go to the "reception" where we are supposed to make the deal regarding the money.

　　As for Stillman's? They are tycoons. They own car companies and some hotels all around America. The head of the family, James Stillman, is my father's best friend. They decided to succeed together. James wanted to invest and my father wanted to receive.

　　The results? All of James's money is in our banks. James had three children. And we grew up practically like siblings. Jason, the oldest, is my age. We used to be inseparable, just like real brothers. Until we weren't anymore. Until things changed and so did he.

　　I focus my attention back at the reception only to notice a door half open behind it and see the back of the presenter almost ready to yell at her.

　　I burst without a second thought into the room to see the girl standing up looking at the ground with one hand protectively around her chest.

　　Damon: I am here to take what I paid for.

　　She lifts her head and for the first time, I see her eyes. Damn even scared like his they are beautiful. So beautiful dark brown eyes, a deep, earthy brown...the colour of the earth after a torrential rain but there was something else in them. A redness, exhaustion, and confusion all at once.

　　Her eyes were still glistening from crying, but I could tell she has yet to give up the fight!

　　Presenter: Oh! And here he is! The man of the night! The highest bidder!

　　The presenter approaches me and I flinch in disgust at that charlatan of a human being even standing near me!

　　Damon: The last thing I want is fake flatteries. I left the money at the reception. Get out!

　　The man nods his head with a typical smile never leaving his face.

　　Presenter: Enjoy then, sir!

　　Sarcastic piece of shit!

　　He leaves the room and as soon as he does, I glance at my father waiting outside. He nods his head in the direction of the girl, urging me to approach her. And I want to. But she looks like a scared kitten afraid to come closer because in her eyes I am the bigger threat.