Monza (Formula Men #1) (11 page)

“
The finance department wasn’t notified until an hour ago. The security team wouldn’t have known that, Monsieur Xavier. Our men follow protocols, never fear of that.”

They did. Of course, he was right. He was the one who made sure everything was perfect. Batard.

“
Where’s this man now?”

“
He’s in one of the rooms next to the finance office, Monsieur.”

“
Meet me in the casino in the elevator lobby in ten minutes.” I nodded, nose flaring as I put down my cigar, wondering how unlucky I was to be dealing with such bullshit so early in the morning.

Chapter 2

Hugo

“
My daughter—she’ll work the debt off,” the man before me said in such a temperamental tone it somehow set me off like a rocket.

“
I beg your pardon? I don’t do this sort of negotiation, Monsieur Callas—you must be mistaken.” This pompous ass of a man was telling me that his daughter—
his very own daughter
—was to pay off his debts. What a disgrace! The likes of him didn’t deserve any love and support from a daughter he would unthinkably offer like they were chopped meat from a butcher’s stall.

My subtle decline of his “generous” offer seemed not enough to get my point across because he pulled out his phone before sliding it towards me. “She’s willing to pay the debt off for me,
if
you let me walk out of the door without charges.”

Mon Dieu!
This man was beyond appallingly dense. “And what do you suppose she’d do, Monsieur Callas? I am fully staffed. Paying off three hundred thousand euros would take her years—I don’t have such time to waste. I’m running an empire,
not
a trade show.” I ignored the phone before me, unwilling to even consider the most absurd of ideas.

This wasn’t the first time a man had written bad checks. In fact, this sort of atrociousness happened all the time. Rich men who couldn’t afford to bankroll their expensive lifestyle anymore were willing to auction off their best assets; heirlooms, paintings, cars, yachts—name it, I’d taken them all. I was ruthless in the business arena and every time a man offered their wife or daughters to “pay the debts off,” not only was I harder to negotiate for terms after, but I simply lost respect for them as a person, as a man.

A knock on the door interrupted us.

“
Oui
?”
Barking at the mahogany door, I loosened my tie as I felt my temper rising. Truly, this day was outrageous.

“
His daughter is here, sir. She’s requesting to see her father.” Benoît’s voice came through the slit of the slightly ajar door.

“
Merde!” I muttered through my gritted teeth as I glared at the overly confident man before me. “You invited her here?” I said accusingly.

Dark, detached eyes met my own. “I alerted her the second the security team asked me to step aside. She lives close. Besides, you might find her a gem.”

This was becoming a circus. Was this man’s gambling a family affair then?

“
Let her in—”
This better be worth my time
, I thought the second the words left my lips.

Constantin Callas was known to be a brash, unscrupulous womanizer and a degenerate gambler. This was the first time I had met the man, and I disliked him on the spot.

Both of our heads turned towards the door when we heard it creak open. Upon entering, a slim figure of a woman with ink black hair and the most fascinating eyes with a small, delicate face captured my undivided attention, striking me like I had never been before in my life. My throat and my groin constricted at the same time, spellbound by the beauty and confidence she exuded. What a sight she was….

“
I apologize for interrupting your meeting, Mr. Xavier, but my father said it was urgent I join you both.” Her voice was soft, yet it hinted of enough force to mean she was to be taken seriously. Well, the woman walked into the right room because things truly just became serious.

“
Leave us,” I commanded, eyes unwavering at her while the rest of the party in the room, including her father, started to retreat behind the doors. The moment I heard silence, I decided I wanted a better view, therefore I stood up, face not giving away my thoughts, as I sized the would-be prize. My eyes roved over her delicate figure, admiring her beguiling beauty. “What’s your name?”

Her eyes snapped to mine, enthralling me for a second. A heartbeat. “Isobel,” she stated proudly as those blue eyes with hints of violet struck me within. It was immediate. The rush so potent it left me reeling. I felt it in my gut, fueling the heated fire in my groin all the way to my cock.

“
Isobel,” I tried her name on my lips, unsure what to make of it. “So… Isobel…
What
are you doing here?”

She met my gaze, brazen and painstakingly beautiful. “I’m here to help my father.”

Ah, the old man. He was a man who knew quality, and he was certain I would get entranced the moment I laid eyes on his daughter. He knew how to bargain, I’d have to give him credit for that.

“
How do you plan to help your father, Isobel?” I raised my brow, wanting to see where and how far she’d take this conversation. “Three hundred thousand euros is not a small number.”

Determined, she only lifted her chin at me. “I can work for you—be a secretary, a cook, a companion,” she rasped out. “I could be whatever you like…” She trailed off at the last bit of the sentence.

My mouth quirked when she couldn’t utter what she truly meant. No, she didn’t blush, but I could tell it made her uncomfortable. As it should. No right-minded woman should offer herself to pay off her father’s debts.

“
I have three girlfriends—well, two at the moment.” I retracted the second I recalled what Dana had been up to. “I can get a woman without having to pay her that hefty amount.”

She looked confused then panicked when my words finally sunk in. “Please, Mr. Xavier—
I beg you
—I can fill in the third position.”

She seemed desperate, making me more curious as to why she was doing this. There had to be a good reason. “Now, why would I do that? Do you have any special skills to please me that Sherry and Chantel can’t do?”

Beautiful eyes blinked blankly at me. “No.” She shook her head dejectedly. “I do not.”

Gazing at her luminous skin, I felt almost tempted to touch it before common sense took over. “Very well. So tell me again,
why
should I hire you?”

“
Because you’re a good man, and you’d take pity on me.” Her voice was strained. “My father is a hard man, and I’m sure you have no ounce of remorse towards him, but my brother and I—my brother most especially needs him. If father decides to cut him off from his monthly allowance from my grandfather’s estate, things could get very ugly and difficult for the both of us.”

“
So you’re saying you’re willing to sell your body to secure your brother’s lifestyle and yours? Did I get that right?”

My heart turned cold. How often did I see these demure, beautiful women and think them angelic, only to be proven wrong when they turned out to be after one thing? Money was a powerful thing to behold. It turned gentle souls to cruel, ruthless beings. It bred selfishness and greed, but most of all, it propelled more evilness in this world. And yet, without it, there would be no system. It was disappointing to learn Isobel was in the same pond as the rest; however, I couldn’t really say I was shocked by her admission. After all, if your father was Constantin Callas, could one really expect more of you?

She opened her cherry glossed lips to protest, but shut them instead and made a small nod, agreeing to everything I threw at her. “I suppose, if you put it that way, then yes, I am selling myself to you.”

There was something in her voice that tugged at me, as if her sadness was something I should take notice of… care for. It was odd.

Remaining mum, I strode towards the silver tray, took the carafe, and poured myself some red wine. “Would you like some?” I offered before taking a sip, eyes still watching her, taking in every expression that crossed her beautiful face.

Biting her bottom lip, she shook her head to decline my offer before stepping closer to me, brows furrowing. “What will happen to my father?”

Precisely like the rest. Since the fool didn’t want to offer anything else apart from her, it said a lot about him and how much he cared for his children. Some people weren’t fit to be parents. But that problem wouldn’t ever be mine. I supposed I could be grateful for that.

Gazing into the remaining liquid in my glass, I paused before answering her. “He’s going to jail. As expected.”

“
No. No. Please—help me,” she persisted. “Let me be at your disposal. I promise I won’t let you down.”

Very well. I shall test her resolve…
“Come tonight. And no, I won’t do anything to you, but I want you to watch how I take a woman. Then you can decide if this is something you want.”

She licked her lips before nodding nervously at me.

Striding towards the door, I gave her one last, lingering look. “I’ll have someone come get you tonight. Until then… Isobel.”

Now Available for FREE in all ebook platforms.