Page 15 of Degrading Her

“Lucky guess.”

“That’s a lie.”

She bit her lip, and I adjusted my grip on the steering wheel. “There aren’t that many apartments in Pierce for your income level.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

There was no hidden meaning. I smiled, pretending like I was teasing her. “Maisie mentioned it,” I said. I pushed the gate opener clipped to her sun visor, then parked. Fiona took a deep breath, then reached for the door handle.

“Consider my offer,” I said, stopping her. “There are no conditions with this offer. Only your service.”

She studied me closely, scrutinizing my words. “You really want me to be your personal assistant?”

“I know a good employee when I see one,” I said calmly. “And believe me, Fiona. I always get what I want.”

With those words, a laugh puckered her lips, but she held it back. She thought I was bluffing.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Feldman,” she said.

“Sawyer,” I corrected.

She forced a wide grin. “Oh! And thank you for the ride,Mr. Feldman.”

We both got out of the car. She walked up the staircase to the third floor. A door slammed, then the lights in her apartment flickered on, her shadow hovering across the curtains.

My driver pulled up in a black SUV outside of the gate. I scowled at Fiona’s piece of crap car as I headed out. No matter how many advertisements or anonymous grants I dropped into her lap, Fiona donated the money or used it to pay back her parents for the student loans they had taken out for her. Even when sheneededsomething, she was too proud to buy anything for herself. If I had to, I’d buy her a new one myself.

But I had finally broken the silence. Now Fiona knew I was in her world. Soon, our game would begin.

I always did what needed to be done. Especially when it came to Fiona.

Chapter 4

Sawyer

The next morning,I thrust my coffee mug onto my desk. Clenching my fists, I inhaled deeply. This was not the news I wanted.

Thank you for the offer. However, Hatchcom Focus will continue to operate on its own accord. When we have an offer ready, we will consider the Feldman Farm.

Best,

NR

One of the best ways to dominate the competition was to completely absorb it. Fifty million was more than an excessive offer, but I wanted them out of our way. The more of their employees that we had to eliminate in the domination process, the less valuable their company would be.

Yet I had no choice but to be vicious in my attacks.

My fingers twitched at my sides, the dice jingling in my pockets. My father flashed into my mind.

Act normal,my father had instructed. He hadscanned the room, searching for a particular stripper.It’s part of power. Making people trust you. Mirror what they want.

When we found the stripper, she kissed his cheek and took us to the VIP room. Inside, my father handed her a small velvet jewelry box. She angled herself so that anyone who opened the curtains wouldn’t be able to see inside. Then she opened the box.

Inside, there was an ear, shriveled and bloody, the lobe stretched to include a wide gauge. Her late, abusive boyfriend’s ear.

The stripper gasped, then hugged my father, kissing his cheek. They spoke for a while, then she fell to her knees in front of him, grinding her tits on his lap.

Trust me,he said, keeping his eyes on her, his words directed at me,all it takes is giving them a taste of what they want. Then they’re yours forever. Isn’t that right, Minx?

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