Don't Promise (Don't 3)

“You’re staying?” Ash whispered.

“Shut up.”

The bidding started at twenty-thousand.

I waited for the fifth bid before I raised the crest in the air. “One hundred thousand,” I shouted.

“Accepted tender is one hundred thousand,” Malcom stated. “Any other propositions?”

It was dark, but I stared at my competition. I dared any other man here to make another offer.

“One-fifty.”

I turned to see the House of Roux’s crest illuminated. Fuck. Sebastian Roux.

“You might have a problem.” Ash leaned over.

“He’ll let it go. He’s just trying to raise the tender. He likes to make things interesting. Gives the bastard something to do.”

“One seventy-five.” My baton flickered in my hand.

Sebastian jumped in after me. “One ninety-five.”

Malcom’s eyebrows arched. “The House of Roux has submitted a tender for one ninety-five.”

I gritted my teeth together. “Take her. She’s yours,” Ash baited me. “Don’t let Sebastian win.”

“Two hundred.” My hand shot in the air again.

From here I wasn’t sure if her eyes were blue or green. They were light and airy. She looked less afraid, and more bewildered about what was happening. The challenge for her was unmasked in front of everyone.

“Two twenty,” Roux barked.

“Mother fucker,” I groaned. How high was he going to let this go? There was a point where I could annihilate him. Rub his face in my wealth. Make him regret his decision to steal my first tender in months.

“Come on, Damon. You aren’t afraid of a little proposition war, are you?” he taunted. I heard the men at his table chuckle.

“Never am.” I grinned in the dark. I could end this now. I would.

“Five hundred thousand.”

The room was shocked into silence.

I waited for Sebastian to say something, but he didn’t have the balls to challenge me again.

“The tender is complete for seven-seven-seven and has been awarded to the House of Sauvage.”

I rose from the table, straightening my jacket. “Congrats.” Ashford shook my hand.

“Thank you. I think I’ll collect my tally and get out of here.” I slammed my empty glass on the table. “Gentlemen, enjoy your evening. Good luck with your prospects.” I nodded to the nearby tables. I stopped as I passed by Sebastian.

I leaned toward his shoulder. “Don’t fuck with me like that again.”

“In here, you’re like everyone else,” he snapped.

I patted him as I began to stroll away. “You’re mistaken, Roux. I’m not like anyone else.”

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