Page 13 of Ryker

“Two million, one-hundred thousand.”

The last bidder puts down his paddle.

It infuriates me.

Tara is perfection and if they can’t spare her one more hundred grand, then fuck him. Fuck them all.

“Two million, two hundred thousand,” someone says, shaking me to my core.

That someone…

Is me.

Chapter 5

Tara

“How dare you.” Stella storms over and slaps me across the face. “You fucking cheated!”

“Dmitri, please remove Stella from the property.” Mr. Hudson casually strides over to us with his head down. None of the contestants have made it past the foyer of the club, and I’m still naked, clutching my dress to my chest to hide myself from all the dagger eyes aimed at me.

“What? No!” Stella back tracks as Dmitri closes in on her. “You can’t kick me out.”

“We have a strict no violence policy here, Stella.” Mr. Hudson’s back hides her completely from my view as he shields me. The elation of becoming the Butterfly has already morphed into fear and guilt. Stella and the others might be upset that I won, but that’s the way it goes. And as far as I know, there’s nothing that says you can’t go up there naked. Instead of playing on the mystery of what’s under my gown, I showed them exactly what I’m built with.

If that’s cheating. Oh well. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Sex clubs are the same as any other business. You’re either a lion or a mouse.

I’m not a fucking mouse.

Besides, it’s not like the members were bidding to fuck me. They were donating to a charity and gifting me the chance at a few nights of fun with someone else.

I hardly see why my winning is such a problem. Swiftly stepping back into my dress, I safety pin together the straps I’d cut on purpose for my bold move on stage.

Mr. Hudson shoves his hands in his pockets and remains fixed on Stella. “Had anyone laid a violent hand on you, without your consent, they would suffer the same consequences you are right now. Get the fuck out of my club.”

Stella argues and screams and cries as Dmitri escorts her to the door. “My husband will not stand for this bullshit, Ryker. Fuck you!”

There’s tension in Mr. Hudson’s shoulders when she calls him by his first name. That’s a major rule here—He’s Mr. Hudson or Sir. Not even his friends call him Ryker that I know of.

The door shuts, cutting off Stella’s screeches as Dmitri escorts her off the property. The rest of the room plummets into icy silence.

“The Butterfly’s boldness will cost her,” Mr. Hudson says to the other women. His dark gaze cuts to me and I almost shrink back. “Thank you for putting yourselves on display tonight, ladies. The money you raised is tremendous and will make a great impact on others less fortunate than yourselves.”

No one says a nasty word. In fact, their attitudes lighten.

Then they all start purring and flirting, smiling and melting. “Of course, Mr. Hudson. It’s a privilege to be a contestant at all.”

“I’ll happily try again in six months. This was so fun.”

“What a wonderful cause. Tonight was great, Mr. Hudson, thank you so much.”

I’m sure no one else wants to risk Stella’s fate, but the ass kissing is giving me second-hand embarrassment for them.

Deseri sidesteps Mr. Hudson and comes straight at me. “Congratulations, girl.” She gives me a hug that’s about as fake as her eyelashes and tits. “Enjoy being the Butterfly.”

“Yeah,” says Jessie with a pouty lip. “Guess it’s good you can’t compete again, so maybe I’ll have my shot next time.”

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