Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104532 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 523(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104532 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 523(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Taking out his wallet, he pulls out a couple of bills and pinches them between a forefinger and thumb. “Can I buy you another one?”
I look between the money and his face. He’s neither young, nor old. If I do have another slammer, I may even see him as handsome.
Lifting my left hand, I wiggle my ring finger. Our marriage isn’t real, but I may as well use the rings on my finger for a purpose, even if their only purpose is chasing away unwelcome attention.
“Two slammers,” the guy says to the barman.
The barman shoots me a look, but he pours the shots.
“No thanks,” I say when the blond guy pushes one of the glasses toward me.
“You heard the barman. You look like you need it.”
What does he see when he looks at me? A traitor? An enemy? A quick lay? Someone to degrade and punish? A hundred bucks or a thousand? Can I pull off three thousand? How much am I worth? I know what Leon’s answer will be.
Laughing softly, I cup the glass between my palms. “Why did you buy me a drink?”
The guy frowns. “What?”
“You didn’t do it out of the goodness of your heart. Are you hoping for a quick hump against the wall outside? Or are you thinking for the price of a drink I’ll go home with you?”
He raises a brow. “You’re very direct.”
“How much will you pay me per hour?”
For a moment, he looks taken aback, but he recovers quickly. Taking another hundred from his wallet, he pins it onto the counter with a forefinger and slides it my way.
“One hour.” Leaning closer, he says, “For this price, I’m going all the way.”
“A thousand,” I blurt out. “All you’ll get for a hundred is a flash of my boobs.”
He throws back his head with a laugh and downs the drink without slamming it. “Honey, why will I pay a thousand if I can get pussy for the price of a drink? Besides, for a thousand, I expect a little more.”
My already battered ego takes another knock. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I saw you when you walked in. You’re a cripple.”
Brutal anger fills my veins. “You’re an asshole.”
“Hey, you’re the one who’s selling your goods. It’s my right to negotiate after evaluating said goods.”
I open my mouth to tell him to go to hell when a large shadow falls over us. Too late, I register that the owner of that shadow is in my personal space. The voice that thunders over the music is chillingly familiar.
“I’ll fucking kill you.”
Leon.
Confusion follows. I think he means me, but then the guy next to me is lifted off his seat and thrown through the air. He hits the floor on his back, sending the crowd behind us scattering.
Leon steps over him, taking a wide stance. I only come to my senses when Leon grabs the front of the man’s shirt in a fist.
“Leon,” I exclaim, jumping to my feet.
The sudden movement sends a rush straight to my head, making me dizzy. It’s a fine time for the alcohol to kick in, but the look on Leon’s face is enough to sober me. His jaw is taut and his eyes gleam with fury.
“If you touched her, you’re dead,” Leon says, dragging the man up by his shirt.
From the corner of my eye, I notice two bouncers making their way over.
Grabbing Leon’s arm, I try to pull him off the man. “Let him go. Nothing happened.”
“Go downstairs, Violet,” he says in a voice so calm it scares me more than his violence. “Take my key and wait for me in the car.”
The man fights Leon’s hold, but he’s no match for Leon’s strength.
“What the fuck?” the guy yells. “You’re crazy.”
“Leon, he didn’t touch me.”
The bouncers stop short of us.
“Sir, ma’am,” the meatiest one of the two says. “I’m only going to tell you once to leave. After that, you’ll be removed by force.”
Leon looks at me as if the bouncer hasn’t spoken. “Tell me the truth now, and do not fucking lie to me.”
“Nothing happened,” I repeat. “Not that you’re in any position to claim exclusivity.”
Leon lets the guy go with a shove. “What did you say to me?”
“Outside,” the bouncer says.
When the other bouncer reaches for me, Leon grabs his wrist.
“You don’t want to make the mistake of laying a finger on her,” Leon grits out.
“You heard my colleague,” the bouncer says. “Take your fight outside. If you break anything, we’ll press charges.”
“You’re lucky I’m not laying charges,” the blond guy says, straightening his jacket. “You and whatever this woman is to you are both nutcases.”
Leon puts himself in the man’s face. “My wife. She’s my wife.”
“You’re unbelievable,” I say to Leon. “You’re so full of shit with your double standards.”
Ignoring me, Leon continues, “When I’m done with you, you lowlife motherfucker, you’ll regret the day you were born. No one touches my wife.”