Page 14 of Cocky Professor

"I asked him to sponsor me to become a member of the Brotherhood of Kings," Ryker said. Apparently he'd decided to stop beating around the bush and come out with what he sat here for. "I was hoping maybe you could encourage him to agree. If you have that sort of influence." He gave me a challenging look.

"And if I do," I said slowly. "What then? If I speak to him and he agrees to sponsor you, what's in it for me?" Having someone who owed me a favour join the Brotherhood, with my help, that could be very beneficial at some point in the future.

"Name your price," he said. The expression on his face was naked ambition. I knew that look. I'd seen it on countless faces before, including my own. There was nothing he wouldn't do to join the Brotherhood.

I felt like the villain in one of those fairytales, where they make a deal in return for the main character's firstborn child. I suspected if I asked for that, he'd agreed to it.

Fortunately for everyone concerned, I had no interest in anyone's firstborn children, including my own for now. Anything like that was years away from me. If Lila became head of the family, maybe never. I'd have no reason to have my own children. No desire to bring innocent lives into my world.

I sat back and made a show of thinking carefully.

He sat back and tried not to look like he was too eager for my answer. There was an underlying irritation to his desperation. He didn't want to be asking, or owing favours.

Not just to me, he didn't want to owe anyone. The fact he had actually asked me, spoke volumes about how important this was to him. He put his pride aside to do it. Considering how big his ego seemed to be, this was no small deal.

"If I do this," I said slowly, "I'd need something big in return."

"Which brings us back to my cock," he said, laughing off his anxiousness.

"If you refer to your cock again, the answer is no," I said bluntly.

That brought him back down to earth with a crash. He looked as though he might wrap his hands around my throat and throttle me, but managed to contain himself.

"What else do you want?" he asked, slightly more humble this time. Only slightly. He was too cocky to put his arrogance aside for too long.

"A favour in return," I said. "To be called when and where I want. With no expiry date. When I tell you what I need, you have to deliver it. No matter what it is I ask."

"Deal," he said with no hesitation. He put out his hand.

I looked at it. "I don't shake hands. I'll organise us a contract and you can sign it."

I opened my laptop and sent off an email to one of my father's lawyers. A couple of minutes later, he replied with an attachment that I opened to sign electronically.

"You're efficient," Ryker said. He didn't hesitate to sign on the dotted line, but not before he read the terms of the contract. "You and I would be a good team if you get tired of Dane."

"I'll bear that in mind." I signed my name under his and returned it to my lawyer. "I'll speak to him about you the next chance I get."

"I appreciate that." He nodded. "I just hope I don't regret owing Chloe Bell a favour."

"Now you think of that," I said. Before he could respond, I pointed at him and said, "Don't forget, we now have a legally binding contract."

He spread his hands to either side. "I won't forget. As long as you don't forget me when I'm one of the masters of the universe and you need help."

If he was ever one of the masters of the universe, the world might need help, but I just nodded.

"I never forget," I said. "I wish you luck in joining. From what I understand, being sponsored is the easy part."

There was absolutely nothing I could do to help him beyond that. That was a matter for the Brotherhood. I had no idea what pledging to join entailed. Frankly, I didn't want to know. I had enough going on in my life without buying that kind of trouble.

He clasped his hands and grimaced. "That's what I gather too. But it'll be worth it." The look in his eyes was nothing short of power hungry. With that mindset, he'd make the perfect brother.

"I'm sure it will," I said. Maybe not for him, but I had a feeling the favour would come in useful. A girl could never have too many of those up her sleeve.

A shadow loomed over the table. We both looked up to see Dane standing beside it, looking down at us both.

"Am I interrupting anything?" he said coolly.

"Nothing at all," Ryker said. He hurried to stand. Before he looked away, he gave me a look as if to remind me of our deal. Like I'd forget that quickly.

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