Page 24 of Ruthless Billionaire Daddy

“No.”

I sighed with relief.

“We wore laced panties and bras, but the touching was never really sensual. Maybe a slap on the ass or a quick feel of my breasts, but it didn’t go any further than that. The men who wanted hand jobs were taken to a private room. Men who demanded more or tried to force us to do other things were thrown out immediately.”

That information didn’t stop me from being pissed.

“Do you still work for them?”

I knew the answer was no, because I had been following her, but I needed her to tell me herself.

“No. Three months ago, I escaped,” she sighed heavily, “They wanted me to lure other women into it. But I couldn’t do it. The other girls and I were stashed in a hotel, but one night the police raided the place, and I was able to escape. And I’ve been hiding ever since because I couldn’t afford to make the loan payments.”

“Delilah, even after you paid that debt, they weren’t going to let you free. Things may have actually gotten worse if you stayed.”

She sniffled, her shoulders slumped. “I know. But now they’ve found me, and I have nowhere to go.”

As the tears began to fall, I pulled Delilah against me. Dean didn’t only fuck up his life; he also fucked up Delilah’s.

“I think you should tell Dean that they’re after you.”

She shook her head. “I can’t. He’ll try to leave rehab, and I want him to finish the program. I’m afraid if he doesn’t, he’ll relapse. He’s the only family I have. I don’t want to lose him.”

The words were coming out of my mouth before I realized it. “I’ll pay the debt. Whatever it is, I’ll pay it.”

Her eyes widened. “I can’t let you do that.”

“I can and I will. These thugs will keep coming after you, especially if the other girls know you escaped. They’d think they had a chance, too, and it wouldn’t go down well with the men keeping them captive. So I’ll pay the debt, protect you, and keep your secret, if you marry me.”

I heard her gasp, and her eyes widened.

“Marry you?”

“Yes, and you’ll never have to worry about them again. So what will it be, Ms. Malone?”

Chapter 10 - Delilah

I pulled myself out of Sebastien’s arms and searched his face for a glimpse of a smile to let me know that he was joking.

Girl, have you heard Sebastien Quantum crack a joke since you’ve been working for him?

“Let me get this straight. You want to pay off my debt, protect me and keep my secret, but you can’t do it because you’re just a good person at heart, so the price I’ll have to pay is marrying you?” Bitterness was laced in my tone. “How are you any different from the men who promised me a better paying job and lured me into prostitution?”

Did Sebastien think that because I was poor I could be bought? Him paying the debt equaled paying a bride prize in my books. What made him think I’d allow him,himof all people, to claim me as his wife? And why the fuck had I babbled everything to him? I should’ve just let him throw me back out on the street. But no, now he knew my secret, and if I don’t go along with this stupid plan of his, he’d probably tell the whole world about what I did or hold it over my head for the rest of my life.

“Ms. Malone, what other options do you have, at the moment?” His voice was calm, but his eyes darkened slightly.

I glared at him. He didn’t have to be so smug about it.

When I didn’t answer, he continued, “I’m pissed that Dean thought he couldn’t come to me for help, and I’m even more pissed that you were dragged into this. But the reality is, paying off Dean’s debt isn’t going to stop those men from coming after you.”

As much as I hated to admit it, Sebastien had a point.

“However, once they realize you’re taken by a powerful man, like myself, and they know you’re protected, they’ll back off. And besides, this situation is a win-win for both of us.”

“Pray tell, oh powerful man. How is this a win-win for both of us?” I crossed my arms over my chest and lifted an eyebrow.

Sebastien’s eyes glinted with amusement. “As a married man, it'll mean that I’ve now settled down. Investors love to throw money behind married men…something about stability makes them give in. Plus, we’ll both be invited to exclusive events reserved for married couples, and me, other events just for married men. It’ll bring in more business for both of us. I’ll get new clientele, and you’ll get to show off your amazing event planning skills. Of course, this will just be temporary.”

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