“We’re almost there, sir.”

Carter sighed heavily. With each turn of the town car he felt the weight lifting off his shoulders. Soon, soon it would be his turn for revenge. Soon he would own everything.

The town car was long and sleek, much like its owner. It was a pure shade of black, so deep that it appeared to be blue, much like the hair of the man riding in the back. Carter Braxton’s eyes however, were a bright blue set in a deeply tanned face. His Greek origins were easy to see, not only in his features, but also in his frame, tall and lean with sculpted muscles. In a different era, he would have been a Greek God. Hell, he still felt like he was.

The town car glided to a stop in front of the entrance where Carter’s Personal Assistant and bodyguard exited the vehicle first, holding open the door for his employer. He was a huge, muscular man with dark black skin, a smoothly shaven head, and tattoos running down both arms.

Carter could feel Darren’s presence as he followed him up to the door and rang the bell for him.

“I have an appointment with Mr. Terini,” he told the maid in his low gravelly voice.

The young maid trembled when he spoke. She took his trench coat and Darren’s jacket while bowing her head, apparently eager to avoid looking at his face. Fear, of course she was afraid. Rocco probably treated his staff horribly. “I’ll announce you right away.” She led them into a extravagantly decorated study. “Mr. Terini will join you shortly.”

Carter took a seat in a wingchair in front of a massive mahogany desk rolling his eyes at the extreme lavishness of the estate. Stupid old man, spent all of his damn money.

Darren remained standing a few feet from Carter. When the door opened, Carter watched intently as his hand fell automatically to the gun in his holster, but he stopped short of drawing it, clearly deciding the situation had not become hostile yet.

Rocco Terini was a man of average height with the beginnings of a paunch, well concealed by his tailored Saville Row suit. Carter watched as he surveyed his guests for a moment before stepping confidently into the room. He was an idiot for being so confident, but Carter allowed him to have this moment. At fifty-seven, he was still imposing, even if his hair had turned an iron shade of gray and his stomach protruded. “Mr. Braxton.” He extended a hand to his visitor, his gaze not leaving the silver mask Carter Braxton wore.

The hand was coldly disdained as Carter fixed a pair of burning, blue eyes on Terini. “Rocco.” His voice was smooth, with an underlying hint of steel. This was going to be fun.

Frowning, Rocco took a seat behind the desk. “I’m afraid my secretary didn’t give me any details of this meeting, Mr. Braxton. Her only note is urgent, so you’ll have to tell me what this is all about.”

A grimace flashed briefly across Carter’s mouth, while he allowed just a hint of his hatred to show in his dark eyes. Rocco shivered slightly, and his smile grew. “It’s about Terini Electronics.”

Looking puzzled, Rocco said, “I don’t have much to do with the day-to-day operations anymore, Mr. Braxton, but I’ll try to help you.”

“Yes. I’m aware of your lack of interest in the company, Terini. Is it not strange that ten years ago you were willing to kill for the company but today, you can’t be bothered to stop by your office more than once or twice a week?” Carter observed Rocco carefully.

“Excuse me?” Rocco grasped the arms of his chair with white-knuckled fury as he surged to his feet. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, and unless you can get to the point, this meeting is terminated.”

“Terminated—what an interesting choice of words. Very well. I won’t draw this out. As of this afternoon, I have acquired ninety-percent of the shares of your company, Terini. I’m well aware of your financial troubles—that you’ve been discreetly selling your shares for years. Each time they became available, I purchased them by any means necessary…short of murder and intimidation, of course. That’s really more your style, isn’t it, Rocco?”

Rocco sagged back into his chair. “Why have you come?”

Carter smiled, feeling genuine warmth in his stomach that did not reach his eyes. “To inform you that you are no longer the CEO of Terini Electronics. In fact, you are nothing in the company. The other ten-percent you own is not enough to oppose me or my plans for the company.”

“My father built that company.” Rocco turned a furious scarlet. His eyes moved to Darren, and he leaned back in his chair. “I’d always planned to purchase the stocks again, once things were straightened out,” he added cooly.

“I’m afraid that is no longer an option,” Carter said. “Your company is going to be dismantled with each part sold to the highest bidder. I’m only taking one thing from your company—the memory chip that I invented that you stole from me ten years ago.”

Rocco’s eyes widened fearfully. “Oh, my god. You can’t be serious, Mr. Braxton.” His tone was perilously close to pleading. “Don’t do this to a family business out of some childish desire for revenge.”

“Childish?” Carter rolled up his one sleeve so his opponent could take a closer look. “I certainly have my reasons, Terini, and they are not the least bit childish.” He saw the sick look on Rocco’s face as he gazed at the scarred flesh. “You had no compunction about destroying my business, and I certainly have no concern for yours.”

Rocco squared his jaw as Braxton replaced the hat, ignoring his queasy stomach. “I see. I’ll simply use the proceeds from the sale of the shares to rebuild my empire.” He waved a hand, as though unconcerned.

Carter laughed. “I do believe you’re forgetting your rather substantial debts to the various casinos in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Reno, Terini. You’ve found it incredibly easy to obtain credit in the past, and every last cent of the money you’ve made is going to be necessary to cover your debts. In fact, I believe you used this lovely home for collateral just last month.”

Rocco’s complexion had gone ashen, but he turned stark white when Carter removed a contract from the briefcase Darren handed him. “You have three days to exit the property, Mr. Terini. As of this morning, I now own this house. I suspect you’ll have to sell all your lovely antiques and family heirlooms just to cover the difference on your debts versus your assets.”

“You son of a bitch.” Rocco jumped from his chair again. Darren stepped forward menacingly, causing him to collapse back into the seat. “Not my home.” His voice had lost all hint of strength. “I have three daughters to provide a home for. Think of my children.”

“I have no concern for your children,” Carter snapped. “They are all of legal age and should be living on their own anyway.” He knew it was cold, but he didn’t care. They deserved to learn who their father truly was.

Sweat poured from Rocco’s face as he visibly strove to find some desperate way out of this. “Can’t we reach an agreement?”

Carter’s eyes narrowed. “Gambling once more, Rocco?”

“Give me a few months to scrape together enough to buy this house, at least. It’s been in my family for two hundred years, and you have no right to it,” he said sternly, as if trying to shame Carter into backing off.

Carter raised an eyebrow at the older man. “Why should I agree to such an absurd request? I would have no recourse against you if I agreed to this, and I would lose a substantial amount of money if you skip out on me.”

Rocco shook his head. “I’ll give you something for collateral.” His brow furrowed. “I have a Mercedes, and my daughters each drive nice cars.”

Carter laughed, sharing a look of amused disbelief with Darren. “I have more cars than I could ever drive as it is.”

Forehead wrinkled, Terini seemed to rack his brain furiously, searching for something to appease Carter. His head lifted slowly as his eyes filled with tears. “I’ll give you one of my daughters,” he whispered. “She’ll stay with you for the time you give me. If I don’t get the money together, you can do as you wish to me.”

Carter’s eyes narrowed. “You’re giving me one of your daughters?” He was unable to believe the depths to which Rocco would sink. This man was clearly desperate, but still his own family? He really was scum. So now Carter would dangle his own issues in front of him. This would be so easy to show his daughters what a creep he was. Just another wine for Carter. Tonight was going even better than he expected.

“How long would this arrangement last?” The game continued, he decided with a small smile of satisfaction. Dangle hope, then withdraw it—always amusing entertainment.

“A year?”

Carter laughed. “Ridiculous. A month.”

“Nine months,” Terini shot back. “It’s going to take awhile to recoup my loss.”

“Three months,” Carter countered, starting to enjoy himself.

“Six months,” Terini said, and Carter nodded. “If I haven’t recouped the money on this house in six months, you can kill me. In exchange for your lenient terms,” he said with a mocking growl, “You’ll be in possession of one of my daughters for the duration of the contract. You must promise not to hurt or compromise her,” he said, blushing despite his age.

Carter shook his head, marveling at Rocco’s nerve. “I’ll do with her as I please.” He allowed the words to sink in before continuing. “That is if I agree to this. And you have to convince your daughters.” That seemed unlikely.

“I can do it,” Rocco said. “I’ll go talk to them now.”

“No. I haven’t even agreed yet. If I do, I pick the girl. You will have no say in the matter except to persuade her.”

“No.” Rocco fumbled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe off his forehead. “You can’t do that.”

“It was your idea. I’m perfectly content to dispense with it and move on to your eviction.”

Swallowing audibly, Rocco nodded and stood up. “I’ll have them assembled for your inspection.”

He sent the maid to fetch the girls as he took Carter into the sitting room, with Darren in-tow. They sat on an expensive sofa while they waited. Rocco was fidgety which only annoyed Carter even more. The first girl appeared, a pout on her face. “This is Lecy. She is twenty-three.”

Carter dismissed her immediately. “She looks stubborn. No.” He shared a look with Darren, who briefly smiled. None of the girls would end up being suitable, and he’d have Rocco squirming again within moments.

The second girl came into the room, and Carter rolled his eyes. “No, who’s next?”

It was several moments before the third daughter came into the room, carrying a book with her. “I hope this is important.” She finally looked up from the text. “I have a test tomorrow.”

“It’s important, Scarlett.” Rocco wiped the sweat from his brow once more.

Carter’s mouth had fallen open of its own volition, and he closed his gaping maw with a snap. She had delicate features and a perfect body, as far as he could see through the dark navy sundress she was wearing. She was so much more poised than the other two, Carter wasn’t even sure they were actually related. He admired her dark hair that was tossed up in a bun on top of her head. She eyed him curiously with astounding purple eyes, having finally closed her book. Her lips were so plump and he immediately imagined them on his. She was trouble.

“She’ll do.” He surprised himself with the cool words, since he hadn’t planned to agree to Terini’s insane suggestion. He’d only meant to play with him a bit longer before executing the final maneuver for the kill. “Six months.” He ignored Darren’s look of shock. He knew it was crazy but he didn’t care, he had to have her.

Scarlett looked curiously at her father, obviously not quite understanding what Carter was talking about. “What’s going on?”

“Tell her, Rocco,” His made his amusement obvious.

Rocco nodded nervously. “Chrys, Lecy, you can leave,” he dismissed them, but they made no move to the door. “Go,” he shouted, and with wide eyes, they hurried from the sitting room. “I have a problem.” His tone had softened marginally.

“What’s wrong, Father?” Carter watched as she placed a comforting hand on her father’s arm. “Can we be alone?” she asked Carter and Darren impatiently.

“No. I have too large a stake in this.” She may not know it yet, but he would be sure Rocco would follow through on his promise.

Tossing her hair, Scarlett turned from him as Rocco began speaking. “I’ve lost the business, and maybe this house.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. What happened?” She was genuinely concerned, and for a moment Carter felt sorry for her.

“That’s not important.” Rocco waved a hand. “Mr. Braxton has generously offered me an extension on the deal.” His bitterness was blatantly evident. “But he wants some assurance I won’t back out.”

“What sort of collateral can you offer?” Scarlett asked. “If the house and the company are gone, what else is there besides the villa in Greece?”

“That’s gone too.” Carter offered. “He sold it last year to cover gambling debts.”

“That’s a lie,” Rocco shouted.

“Of course it is, Father.” Carter knew he wouldn’t believe her, even though it was true. It was a test, he was trying to determine her level of loyalty to her family.

“What do you want?” She turned to Carter, looking exasperated.

Carter smiled coldly. “You, my dear.” Ignoring her outraged gasp, he continued, “Your father offered one of his daughters for collateral, and I’ve chosen you.”

Scarlett shook her head. “No,” she whispered. “You can’t mean to do this, Father. You can’t expect me to agree to this. You just can’t.”

Rocco looked ashamed as he slid his gaze from hers. “We have no choice, Scarlett. If you don’t agree to his terms, we have to give him the house and sell everything to pay off the remaining debt.”

Scarlett shook her head again, more fiercely this time. “I won’t do it. Forget the house and the stuff in it. I’m worth more than that, Father. How can you pimp me out like this?”

Rocco’s mouth dropped and Carter remained amused. “It’s not like that. Mr. Braxton will treat you well—just like a guest. It’s just a safety net for his substantial investment.”

“How long is this arrangement of your supposed to last?” She asked angrily.

Carter liked how feisty she was. She would be hard to tame, but it would be worth it. He answered for Rocco. “Six months.”

She shook her head. “My classes—” She trailed off. “Where do you live?”

“About thirty minutes outside of San Francisco,” Carter said. “You can return to school when the six months are over.”

In a daze, Scarlett sank into a chair. Carter had the urge to go to her, to explain that it wouldn’t be as horrible as he was sure it sounded. He knew it was, in fact, horrible. But he wanted her. In ways he could hardly imagine.

“Please, Scarlett,” Rocco begged, grasping her hands as he bent forward. “I’m too old to start over completely. You’re only twenty, and I’m not asking you to sacrifice your life. It’s only a few months, and you’ll be well cared for.”

Carter watched as she sat up straighter with resolve. “I’ll do it.” He was impressed. Loyal to a fault.

“Go pack,” Carter commanded, not asking. “And hurry back. I want to leave this Godforsaken mausoleum as soon as possible.”

“If you hate it that much, why did you buy it?”

“I have my reasons.” He saw her lips purse as she stormed from the room.

Rocco paced nervously, finally saying in a rush, “I need more money to cover my debts. I’m still almost a million short. How can I possibly get that much together and still have enough to buy the house from you?”

“That’s your problem.” Carter’s voice was as cold as his heart. “I’m definitely not giving you the money, if that’s what you’re thinking, and I’m not extending the time limit either.”

A sly smile contorted the other man’s features. “She’s worth it, I’m sure.”

Carter gave him a blank look. What the hell was he going on about now?

“What she assumed—well, it is a logical assumption that a man like you would expect that. She’s still a virgin. I’m sure of that. She hasn’t been allowed to date many boys, and the approved ones all feared me. Wouldn’t that be worth a substantial amount?”

Darren coughed suddenly, and Carter sat there in shock, disbelieving what he was hearing. He didn’t even know how he’d found himself agreeing to this, but he hadn’t purchased a sex slave for the next six months. Her own father was trying to sell her virginity to him. His hatred of Rocco intensified, and Carter swore to himself that he would completely destroy him. “I’m not interested,” he said with admirable control.

With a furtive leer, Rocco directed a glance at Darren. “Perhaps your tastes run to other areas?”

Already grim, Carter’s mouth compressed even more. “I don’t happen to find the idea of a virgin sacrifice particularly appealing. Even a man like me has standards,” he said with a mocking inflection.

Rocco’s shoulders slumped. “Do you promise not to impede my attempt to get the money?”

“As long as it has nothing to do with my company,” he stressed, “Or this house, then I agree.”

Carter was saved from having to make further conversation with Rocco by the arrival of Lecy, avenging Carter. Her countenance was frozen and her eyes glittered as she snapped, “You aren’t taking her, you—” She seemed to struggle to find a word before settling for stomping her foot. “It’s barbaric and medieval. I won’t allow this to go any further.”

“We have no choice,” Rocco said firmly. “Save the theatrics, Lecy, and be grateful he didn’t choose you.”

She screamed in outrage before turning storming from the room. Darren covered a laugh with a discreet cough, but Carter grinned unabashedly. Thank God he hadn’t chosen that one, he thought.

Scarlett, cold and fiercely proud, came back into the room, lugging a heavy suitcase. “Will you send more of my things, Father?”

“Don’t bother.” Carter and Darren rose to stand beside her. “As she is my responsibility for the next six months, I’ll provide for her.”

Darren took the suitcase from Scarlett with a soothing smile. Carter envied how he could do that, he had never been the warm type, and then the scars. They certainly made things more difficult for him.

Carter followed behind him, saying to the still-motionless Scarlett, “Come along before I have to carry you.” She started walking immediately, without even a goodbye for her father.

As she walked all that Carter could think about were her full lips and the way her hips sashayed as she moved.

Scarlet was a spit fire beauty.

And for the next six months, she was all his.