Chapter One
Eli
I pace the luxury apartment, draining Jack like an open tap. I shouldn’t be nervous. This is nothing new. I’ve gone undercover a dozen times, but this investigation is different. It’s not a sting to take down drug dealers or uncover corruption. This op involves innocents. Young girls being exploited. When the case landed on my desk there was no passing it up. There was so no saying no.
I had to investigate. I just didn’t bank on becoming so taken with a stranger in a picture. A dark-haired beauty with piercing blue eyes. Eyes that trapped me, called to me, ensnared me. With a face like an angel, and a smile so pure the thought of someone taking advantage of it made my blood boil.
I’m not supposed to get emotionally involved. But how can I not? Some scumbag is auctioning off women’s virginity like it’s cattle, and I’m here to make sure it stops.
A soft knock on the door makes my heart stop. She’s here.
In order to gain information, I had to get on the inside. I had to pose as a buyer. So, I set up a front, created a fake online profile, and bid. Bid until I won the beauty consuming my mind. It wasn’t cheap, and it wasn’t easy. But like they say, if it was easy, everyone would do it, and no one was getting a leg up on me.
She’s mine.
I mean, she’s mine to save. To use, to bring down this auction ring.
I open the door to a fresh-faced girl I immediately recognize as Manda. I’m not even sure if that’s her real name, but I’m going to find out. I’m going to find out fucking everything.
She stands there stoically, her long black hair a shiny river of gorgeousness. Her striking blue eyes large and round and inquisitive. I swallow thickly, my saliva a million tiny razor blades. Her online picture did her no justice. In person, she’s divine.
“Eli?” she utters, and I could deteriorate right on the spot. I’ve encountered a lot of women in my life, but none that have affected me in such a way. On an elemental level. On a primal, paramount, primitive level. The desire to protect is immeasurable.
I clear my throat and step aside so she can enter.Keep it fucking together.
Manda breezes by me into the apartment. It’s not mine. It’s all part of the cover. I need to portray a persona. A wealthy businessman with more money than sense, and this outfit and these digs definitely scream that. I’m more a jeans and t-shirt, beer drinker kind of guy. The last time I put a dress shirt and slacks on was my younger sister’s wedding over a year ago.
But today, I’m all crystal rocks glasses and stylish shoes.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I offer. I want her to feel comfortable, I want her to trust me.
“Yes, please.” She fiddles with the belt of her coat. A navy-blue trench that touches just above her knees.
“Wine or whiskey?” I hold up each bottle.
“Whiskey, please. Straight up.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I knew there was something special about this girl. I pour two more drinks and hand Manda hers. She’s nervous, clearly. This situation is stressful. She doesn’t know me from a hole in the wall, and here she is, offering herself up for an obscene amount of money.
I watch as Manda downs the brown liquid. She guzzles it quickly, no doubt trying to take the edge off.
Dropping the tumbler on the glass coffee table, she rips open her coat revealing a skimpy, skintight dress that leaves little to the imagination.
“Where are we doing this?” she asks boldly, and my jaw drops.
“Um...” I immediately pump the brakes. “No small talk first? Or formal introductions?” I try to make light.
Manda cocks her pretty head. “Small talk?” She searches my face. “I didn’t realize I was here for small talk.”
“You’re not....exactly. But...just jumping into it seems so...seedy.” I think fast on my feet. I wasn’t expecting the girl to throw herself at me.
It makes me feel a multitude of things. Sad for her situation, but surprisingly aroused as well. I get my hormones in check. There’s no denying I’m attracted to her. I have been since the moment I saw her. But I’m here for a purpose. And not a personal one.
“A woman as beautiful as you is meant to be savored. Appreciated. Worshiped.” I run my middle finger through a piece of her dark hair—the strands silky to the touch—and her facial expression twists into confusionTrust me beautiful, we’re in the same rocky boat.I have no idea where all that even came from. Maybe it’s my true feelings bleeding through. If I was ever lucky enough to have this girl in my bed, it wouldn’t be just some lickety-split fuck. It would be an experience, a drawn-out encounter. A portrait of lust come to life.
“Why don’t we sit?” I motion to the contemporary red sofa dominating the decor.
“Do you mind if I have one more drink?” She picks up her empty glass unnervingly before she sits. Even when uneasy, she’s so demure, so feminine, so beguiling.