Cunning Vows: Enemies to Lovers Dark Romance (Lethal Vows Book 3)

“Miss, his men have come around three times this week already,” Clay says, more insistent than usual. I offer him my best eye roll as he hands me my red leather jacket.

“We have an auction tonight, Clay. You know I can’t be fucking around wondering if I’ve upset River Bently. I couldn’t care less about that fuckhead.”

The truth is, I read every message and email he sent. And deleted them. Because he’s a fuckhead. I’ve never known someone so bold to continuously demand my attention without understanding the repercussions.

Clay simply nods as I shuffle into my jacket and look into the mirror to reapply my red lipstick. I look hot tonight. It’s no surprise since I do for every occasion. I run a hand over my tight bun, ensuring no hair is out of place.

Some of my top buyers are in attendance tonight, so everything needs to go smoothly as usual. I remain unseen with Clay and Vance in a private room until only a few minutes before the auction begins. This is so I can scout those who are in attendance and show my appreciation as I sweep the room, yet not leave enough time for someone to think they’re an exception to private dealings and can speak with me.

I have no need to converse with anyone here. After all, they’re here to purchase unique packages only.

A knock comes at the door, and my eyebrows furrow at the intrusion. Vance and Clay exchange a look before Vance checks the security camera.

“River is here, miss.”

I feel the tic in my temple jump. This guy.

“Shoot him,” I say, tired. That’s one way to deal with this thorn in my side.

“Miss,” Clay ever so lightly reprimands, “if you were to shoot someone at your own auction, it won’t go well with the patrons.”

I sigh, tortured by their lack of understanding of my dry humor.

“It was a joke.” I shrug. But not really. I want nothing more. “Kick him out.”

“I can’t. He paid to be here. He plans to bid,” Vance says.

I bite the tip of my nail and murmur, “Sneaky bastard.” Who does he think he is? The only ways to receive an invitation to our auctions is through private screening by Alek and me or only a few privileged members are able to invite one guest every decade.

I ponder whose pocket he filled just to be here, but I’m also mildly impressed he could corner someone to do it within two weeks.

“The auction starts in ten,” Vance says, cautious around what commands I might have. Because if I did tell them to kill River now, they would.

While I don’t emcee the auctions, I am always there to make sure they go as smoothly as possible. And this is already a complication I would rather not face tonight. So I won’t. I’ll do as I’ve always done when it comes to River Bently. I’ll ignore him.

“He’s gone, miss,” Vance reports. That was faster than I thought. Maybe I do have some charm after all. “He’s sitting at his table.”

Or maybe not as much as I’d hoped. I’ll be fucked if I’m going to let him intimidate me at my own auction. He’s more of an annoyance I simply can’t swat away.

“The auction stops for no one, even a fuckhead,” I say dismissively as Vance opens the door.

I follow my men out to the large, dome-shaped seating area. Our lady auctioneer stands in the middle of the podium and is the center of attention. I have worked with her for over five years now, and pay her very generously. Might I say I even like her. I don’t like many people, but she gets the job done and doesn’t fuck around or take anyone’s shit. And you have to be able to get your job done here and not think of the wrongs we are doing.

She’s wearing the pearl necklace I recently gifted her. A smile dares to lift the corner of my mouth as I admire it.

As my men escort me to my table, I look around the room. I note servers walking around amongst the many familiar faces. When one server bends over, their ass cheeks peek from beneath the short skirt. It’s all very intentional. Especially at my auctions where I sell sex.

However, if anyone were to lay a hand on one of them, they’d be kicked out immediately. This room is reserved for those who can refrain from impulse. Well, until they secure the winning bid for their item of choice at the auction.

I dabble in a lot of things, but the auctions are one of my favorites. While Dawson specializes in virginity auctions and we take our cut, it doesn’t mean we don’t sell other types of sex. In fact, it’s what were known for.

We have men, we have women, we have men who are now women, women who are men, anyone and everyone. We respect them all and give them what they want. But we also protect them by giving them the means to live out their fetishes and fantasies. In return, we make a lot of money.

I watch as the auctioneer calls our first offering to the stage. It’s a woman with long legs and raven-black hair. I know her story. She’s a sex addict but refuses to work at a brothel. I didn’t find her; she found us. She’s a regular here and very respected. She has on a black wrap dress, and she walks in circles around the auctioneer as she describes what she’s after—a man who is willing to fuck her every day for two weeks straight. Looking around the room, I see a few men smile and nod approvingly.

Before I drag my gaze back to her, I spot River sitting at his table. He pays no attention to the beautiful woman on stage because he’s watching me. A slow and steady smirk touches his lips as we lock eyes. I’m unable to look away. Those eyes of his are mesmerizing even from a distance. I wonder, if I plucked them out and put them in a glass jar, would they still have the same effect?

Probably not.

Could I sell them for a fortune?

Most likely.

We stay in this heated staredown, neither of us moving first. The bidding continues around us, and when a winner is announced for the raven-haired woman, the next person comes on stage. I’m about to break contact when he suddenly stands, his eyes never leaving mine as he makes his way over to where I am. My chin angles slightly higher as he comes to a stop in front of me. I can sense Vance’s and Clay’s restlessness behind me. However, they remain stoic and have their hands clasped in front of them.

Even with my heels on, River towers over me, but I’m not one bit intimidated. I’m just pissed off by the way he looks at me. As if it’s some honor to have drawn his attention.

I hate him.

“Pleasure to see you again, Tanya.” He smirks, and I grind my teeth at his use of a name that is not mine. I say nothing, just stand there with our eyes locked. “You don’t greet people?” he asks with a hint of sarcasm. “You’ve been avoiding me even after I paid my dues,” he says, and again, I say nothing. “What does a man have to do to get your business?”

“You have a business, if I’m not mistaken,” I finally say. He steps up a little closer, and smelling his musky cologne sparks my senses. Fuck, he smells good. Pity the man wearing it is an asshole.

“I do; a very successful business, which seems to be impacted by a certain redhead with an ill temper.”

“She sounds like a hoot,” I bite back.

“More problematic than most,” he’s quick to shoot back. “But one thing that can be agreed on is money. This is now impacting my money, so I wonder what other avenues I might have to take.”

“Is that a threat?” I ask.

He smiles, then leans in and whispers near my ear, “No, dear. It’s a promise.” He pulls back and looks over his shoulder at the stage.

I sneer and turn my back to him as Clay pulls out my chair.

River cocks up a smile, as if expecting my rude dismissal. I watch the stage for a minute, trying my hardest to ignore him before shooting a foul glare in his direction.

“You plan to bid?” I ask him.

“Isn’t that what we’re all here for? But my tastes are a little more fine-tuned,” he says, looking down at my breasts. It unfurls a certain amount of satisfaction through me, and I hate it immediately. “How much for you?” he asks.

I throw my head back and laugh. His gaze is on me as I wipe away genuine tears. This fucker is more deranged than I gave him credit for. I calm myself and stand so we’re only inches apart, our bodies almost touching. Those cold autumn eyes seem amused.

“You couldn’t afford me, Lake. Now, go and sit down, or I’ll have you escorted out for not bidding.” I take a seat again and cross one leg over the other as I stare at him pointedly.

Unfazed by my guards who stand close by, he rests his hand on the table and leans into me. I don’t move.

“It’s such a shame, Tanya. The only thing I can imagine right now is those flushed cheeks of yours as I bend you over this table and stuff you full with my cock.”

My jaw clenches, and my nails dig into my arms as heat floods my stomach, the visual more stimulating than it should be.

He then casually leans back with his hands in his pockets, that arrogant smile cocked as he takes a few steps back and turns for his table.

Fucking asshole.