"Twelve million," Dominic throws back and a rush of whispers ripple over the crowd.
Dominic just bid twelve million dollars for me.Twelve million dollars.
What was that he said yesterday?
He'd be the guy who will show me what I'm worth.
He's showing me now. He's definitely showing me, but conflict tears at my mind because I needed Jacques to win.
"Thirteen," Jacques throws back, and that's when I give up.
The only other man here who would never allow another to outbid him is standing in front of Jacques.
Two years. Dominic D’Agostino has been away for two years and he blows back into my life for one week and ruins my carefully orchestrated plans.
“Fifteen million,” Dominic roars and does exactly what I knew he'd do next when he pulls his guns from his back pocket and aims them at Jacques.“Go ahead Belmont, make my fucking day.Fucking do it. Outbid me. We can go all night if you want and bid every last coin in the bank, but you aren't having her.I'll kill your ass first. Piss on me and I will piss back.You come aboard my boat and challenge me for my girl?Clearly, you have a death wish.”
My God, this is a nightmare.
“Mon ami, it looks like we have a misunderstanding?” Jacques replies.The fact that he doesn’t look in the least bit phased by the sight of Dominic’s guns is a testament to the kind of man he really is.
I’m looking now and I’m scared.
“I don’t think so mon ami. I don’t have time for shit or misunderstandings.I’m always clear about what’s happening and what is not.So… if you want to impress me I think you know what to do.Capisce?”
The look in Jacques’ eyes at that comment is what shifts his mood and I realize they’re talking about something I’m not privy to.
When Jacques holds up his hands in surrender and a fake as hell smile inches across his face my head feels light and fuzzy.
“Capisce. She’s all yours,” Jacques announces, loud and clear.A quick glance at Cynthia who is stunned confirms he’s done bidding and my plan has gone to shit.
“Sold,” Cynthia announces, not bothering to announce that I’m going once or twice.I’m just sold.
Sold to Dominic D’Agostino for fifteen million dollars.
Now, what the hell does that mean?
Dominic lowers his guns, turns to face me and I meet his gaze.When he packs his guns away, he walks on stage, whips off his jacket, and throws it around me to cover me.Then like I’m a petulant child, he slips an arm around me and marches me away in the opposite direction.
I'm still in shock that he bid so much, and for me, and then there was what he said to Jacques.Dominic told him he couldn't have me.The shock has my head spinning.This is supposed to be the guy I could never have, yet he just treated me like some priceless possession.He came here and shocked the hell out of me.
But... how did he know I'd be here at the auction?
Rage suddenly grips me when the thought tumbles into my mind and I realize he was being classic Dominic and probably spied on me or some shit like that.
Damn him and damn me too for being enamored.This is not a good thing. Everything is a mess.How am I going to ask Jacques about Richard Fenmoir now?Fuck... I didn't even know how I was going to do it before, but I hoped the idea would have come to me as I got closer to Jacques.
I wait until we get to the bottom of the stairs before I pull away from Dominic.
“How dare you do this?” I snap.
The glare he gives me tells me to watch my tone.
“Are you kidding me? You and I have a lot to talk about,” he snarls.“What the fuck are you doing, Candace?What in the ever loving fuck are you doing?”
The question makes anger and embarrassment collide in my soul.A wave of heat cascades through me, thickening my blood.It makes my head feel light and scrambles the thoughts in my mind.I can't think of what to say to him to explain myself.
What in the ever loving fuck was I doing?