As if he was inconvenienced and untrusting, Forrest pulled out his phone. He slowly tapped at the screen. Taking his time.
His other eyebrow rose. "Thatisa healthy sum of money, but I can't accept."
"Of course you can," the senator said scathingly. "The deal is done. Money has changed hands. So has Miss Kohl."
After a beat, he smiled and added, "Can I offer you some refreshments? The back of this establishment is much more…appropriate than the front." He smirked like he wouldn't be seen dead with a tattoo, not even a purple unicorn.
"This isn't protocol," Forrest said firmly. "It isn't how things are done."
"Rules are meant to be broken," the senator said smoothly. He turned his face to look at me like I was a plate of truffles waiting to be devoured. "And so are women like this."
Leif grabbed Woody before he lunged at the senator. All four of his thugs had their guns out, pointing at them, ready to use them if they tried anything.
"What I don't understand," the senator said, looking me up and down like I was a prized marble statue, "is what's so special about her? Why would you take the time to follow her here, then decline the payment?"
"She's my asset," Forrest said. He tucked his phone away. "Perhaps I could get more for her than youroffer."He accentuated the word, making it clear it wasn't accepted. It wasn't a done deal.
"Come on now," the senator said. "We both know my payment is generous. Anyone would accept it graciously and walk away."
"I'm not anyone," Forrest pointed out. "Perhaps this is about more than her." He strode toward us, unhurried. "Perhaps she was intended for someone else. A gift of sorts."
If I didn't know him, his tone would have chilled me. Cold. Methodical. As if he'd done this a million times before and never regretted a moment of it. Never gave the woman a second thought.
I could attribute the same to the senator. This was clearly not his first rodeo. How many women had he done this to? How many had he broken?
I remembered the guys telling me about the phone call Forrest received while I was with Savannah. What had the caller said? Pay attention to everything? Was this what he was talking about? That we should keep an eye on the senator?
We were pawns on a chessboard. Someone was out there pulling the strings. Did they want us to come here so we could take care of this man and his associates. Why us and not whoever called?
"Why are we wasting time?" Leif complained. He glanced at me, disdainful. Annoyed at my continued existence. His gaze slid away like I was nothing. Less than nothing.
"Let her go and let's get to the auction. We're missing the fun."
The fun? They could be auctioning Savannah off as we spoke. While we stood here and talked, she could be sold to the highest bidder. She could be taken who knew where. I may never see her again.
"Yes, why are you wasting time?" I found myself saying. "I'm guessing there's no refunds."
I wanted to be sick at the triumphant, greasy expression on the senator's face.
"You're correct, there are no refunds."
"Except under particular circumstances," Forrest said. "Somebody removing an item from the auction before it begins would be considered unusual."
"Unusual but not unheard of," the senator said. "It seems to me this works out well for everyone. I'm sure you'll have no trouble coming up with another 'special gift.'" Yes, he used air quotes when he spoke.
He gestured toward the door. "There's a city full of women out there. I can give you a few names. The girlfriend of your sons, Harlow St. James. She'd make an interesting lot."
Forrest's cheek twitched with a hint of anger. If the senator was trying to score points, he'd managed a direct hit. Forrest was quietly protective of his sons. As he should be. They seemed like good men.
Leif yawned dramatically. "Can we get out of here now?"
"Mr. Larsen is wise," the senator said. "Perhaps I should hire you to re-decorate one of my homes."
"I'd love to," Leif said, almost sincere. "Give me a call on Monday morning. We'll see what we can arrange."
"I'll have my assistant call you," the senator said.
Of course he wouldn't deign to make his own phone calls.