Page 8 of Her Double Desire

I carefully start inching backwards towards the front door. “Your friend is right, it's better if I get out of your hair. This is clearly a big mistake. I'm not a slave, and sorry for your situation, but I can't help.”

Shawn scrubs at his cheek, growling in irritation. “Just accept that we wasted Seventy grand on someone who isn't even fit to lick our shoes, Jared.”

Jared doesn't spare a glance at his companion. There's something cunning about him, like he's able to predict what I'll do before I do it. My blood heats up as his lips form a satisfied smile. “Maybe we can make this work. Veronica, you said you were quitting your job, right?”

“Yes, that's right.”I'd have to, now, with this huge neck tattoo. Christ, will anyone hire me ever again?

“Then,” he muses, standing in front of me, so near I can see the flecks of black in his green eyes, “why not take us up on our offer? After all, if you walk out and break your contract, your debt to us will be extensive.”

Ice creeps up my spine. “Wait. What debt?”

Jared snaps his fingers at the blonde man. Shawn digs into his charcoal jacket pocket, stepping forward with the fluid grace of a jungle cat. “Don't call me like I'm a dog,” he mutters, handing some papers to Jared.

“This,” Jared says, showing me the stack, flipping until he points at my scribbled name, “is the contract you signed last night. Of which you do remember signing. Am I correct?”

Ready to start swearing and screaming, I force a single nod.

“I hate to break it to you, I really do, but if you read through this...” He spreads them so I can easily scan the fine print. “It explains that ifyouend the contract, you'll owe us your share of the payment plus the percent Brander's takes off the top. I'd guess that's around Twenty grand when it's all said and done. Do you have Twenty grand?”

My eyes fly wide. “Of course I don't!”

“Then what would you like to do? Work here for us, or...” He hands the papers back to Shawn, wrinkling his forehead at me sympathetically. “Would you rather be smothered by debt? We have very good lawyers, I should add. And with that ink on your throat, I doubt any high-paying job will give you a second look. Paying that money back will be a tremendous task.”

I grit my teeth. “I didn't know I was dealing with bullies.”

“Little lamb,” Shawn says, his tone dropping low. “You're dealing with something far worse than that. In this house, we don't hide the fact that we're monsters.”

Jared is emotionless as he faces me down. But when Shawn saysmonsters,I see him frown. Then it's gone. “Veronica,” he says patiently, “This isn't meant to be a threat.”

“Except itis,”I argue.

“Think of it as you scratching our back, and us scratching yours.”

“That implies I get anything out of this arrangement!”

“You do,” Shawn says, shrugging. “Many people would be grateful to work for Stone House.”

As he says the name, I brush the ink circling my throat. “Then why can't you go find someone else, if it's so glorious.”

Shawn's eyes narrow, his blue irises becoming pure shadows. “Because the auction is once a month, and the event we need you for is in two weeks.”

I cock my head higher. “That makes it sound like I have some leverage. You both are terrified about what will happen if I walk away, aren't you?” Neither of them respond. “Instead of threatening me with this contract breaking shit, start by telling me what working for thisStone Houseor whatever means.”

Jared is quiet. I sense that we're in some unspoken contest of wills. I don't think he's used to people standing up to him.

As he starts to smile, my heart thuds again. His lips spread apart, and when he talks, it's like he's purring into my ear. “Becoming a pet under this roof means many things. You'll be the subject of constant attention... of extreme pleasure like you've never imagined in your life. Your existence starts and ends with filthy sex.”

Arousal licks at me, making my skin glow.

“But,” he goes on, the velvety sin vanishing from his voice, “The biggest fact is you'd belong to Oliver Vox, the head of this house, and the owner of Stone Vineyards.”

“Stone Vineyards?” I ask dubiously. “Wait. Like the actual winery?” I've seen their bottles, they're always priced out of my reach.

“Yes, Oliver is the CEO. This mansion belongs to him, we're on miles and miles of his private property.”

“Jesus,” I laugh in disbelief, marveling at this information. Oliver has been in Forbes as one of the richest men in the country. I didn't know he was into kinky stuff likeslavesor whatever.

Are these guys his friends? Employees? Some mix?

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