Page 14 of Ryker

“That’s a good girl,” Mr. Hudson says, tipping Jessie’s chin up. “How about you and the others enjoy the penthouse tonight? My treat. I’ll send some of my staff to spoil you.”

That seems to appease her. “Thank you, Mr. Hudson.”

Well, now I want to know what the hell’s in the penthouse.

“Butterfly.” He turns and holds out his arm for me to take. “Allow to me escort you to your new quarters.”

After a shaky exhale, I loop my arm in his and we leave. He doesn’t say a word to me. Not when we cross the club. Not when we’re in the elevator. Not when we arrive at the Butterfly Suite.

But the instant the door shuts, he yanks off his bow tie and starts pacing. “You’re going to cost me a lot of fucking money, Miss Reed.”

Two million-two-hundred thousand dollars, to be exact.

I’m floored he bid on me, honestly. If he’s never bid on a Butterfly before, it makes me feel special that I was the one he had to have. “I didn’t expect you to—”

“Shut your fucking mouth and let me think.” He fists his hair, ruining its perfect style. Just before I can snap back, there’s a knock on the door. “Damnit.” He rushes over and swings it open. “Get in here. Fast.”

While I’m still trying to understand why Mr. Hudson’s making such a big deal about this, a line of men file into the room. Panic takes hold because although they’re all spectacular and here for me to choose from, none look happy about it.

My pussy dries up on the spot.

Victory only feels good when it’s rightfully earned. Shame assaults me. I should have never made that deal with Mr. Hudson.

And now I can’t back out of it.

Dmitri storms into the room last, taking his place at the end of the line. Seven men and two women stare at me, waiting for me to make a choice.

“As the Butterfly,” Mr. Hudson says, “the master, or masters, you choose will be who you obey for the entire month. You must live in this suite, and we’ll have all your personal effects brought here for the duration of your stay.”

Wait. Whoa. A month? I didn’t realize it was that long. And to admit how little I truly knew about being the Butterfly would only make me look like a fool now. “What about work?”

Mr. Hudson’s sinful mouth curls into a wry smile. “Surely you knew the conditions of being the Butterfly before you went through all the effort to become one?”

Shit. Shit. SHIT.

I didn’t realize I’d be a prisoner in the club. I thought the Butterfly had free rein in all rooms of the club at her leisure. But if I can’t get to work tomorrow, I’m royally fucked. I may have evaded my stepfather today, but that won’t fly a second time.

How am I going to get out of the hole I’ve just dug myself into? Fuck.

“Make your selection, Butterfly.”

He never answered my question about work.

“Quickly, Miss Reed, we have a club to run.”

“I…” Glancing at the lineup of Doms, my mouth runs dry. I’m in over my head, which is absolutely my worst toxic trait. I always get myself into situations I later wish I hadn’t. But if I’m honest, there is only one man in this room that makes my regrets tolerable.

“You.” I turn and face him. “I choose you, Mr. Hudson.”

He won’t even look at me. “I’m not in the line.”

Confusion rattles my voice. “But… you bid on me.”

“It’s a charity, Miss Reed. Every man out there bid tonight, and none of them are in this room. It’s not the winner who chooses who the Butterfly gets as a Dom. She’s choses that for herself, which is a privilege, I might add, that was paid for by the bidder. Now choose from the Doms presented, Butterfly, I have work to do.”

I’m not budging on this. “I chose already. I want you as my Dom.” When he opens his sexy mouth to argue with me again, I get in his face. “You’re a Dom, too, Sir. And you’re in this room. You paid for me to win and for the privilege of picking who I want. If it’s the Butterfly’s choice, then you have my final answer.”

Someone snorts from the other side of the room. Dmitri ducks his head, so I assume it was him.

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