Page 1 of Enslaved

Chapter One

Truth be told, Heathactually enjoyed black tie events. He loved the gossip and there was a lot of that. Everyone talked about everyone else in hushed whispers. Heath learned all about who was screwing the pool boy and other people’s spouses. As the son of one of the largest oil stockholders in the U.S., Heath had spent his life rubbing elbows with the rich. He had learned to spot the difference between new money and old. His father had taught him how to tell by a man’s dress if he was on the edge of losing everything. If there was one thing the elite had to do above all else, it was keep up appearances. But that was expensive, and his father’s eye for failure was good. He had passed that to Heath.

That was exactly why it fascinated Heath that Wayne Kipper would have Court Langley hanging on his arm tonight. Court was an escort, and not a cheap one. Heath had never bothered to notice the guy before they recently had a very insulting exchangeat a nightclub. But watching Court tonight was fascinating, considering what Heath had heard about his prices. Wayne was a man on the edge. His software company was deep in debt and one bad day away from going belly up. New money. They always got carried away with the excess.

Despite whom Wayne brought with him for the evening, Heath maneuvered his way through the crowd until he slid into the spot next to Wayne. Heath smelled gossip. He had to know more.

Wayne glanced over and smiled. His predatory gaze said he spotted a possible connection. “Heath. It’s a been awhile.”

Heath pretended to be surprised. “Wayne. It has been. I didn’t even know you were here tonight.”

A loud snort came from Wayne’s other side, drawing Wayne’s attention. “Oh.” He dragged Court into view. “Have you met my date, Court? Court, this is Heath Overton.”

Heath nodded.

Court did too.

Wayne smiled like the idiot he obviously was. “Court.” Wayne pulled a credit card from the inside pocket of his dress jacket. “Why don’t you go buy us some drinks?” He glanced Heath’s way. “Do you want anything?”

Heath fought a snicker. Court had already walked away. He loved that his presence got under Court’s skin. Heath shook the glass he already held. “I’m good.”

Wayne looked back to where Court had been. For a moment, he looked confused before focusing on Heath again. “Anyhow, have you heard any news lately?”

It was always the same question. People always expected Heath to drop hints on which companies they should invest in. A smidgeon of pity hit Heath when he noticed the frayed buttonholes around Wayne’s mismatched cufflinks. “Actually, yes. I have a good feeling about Treadlong tires. Their stocks dipped to an all-time low yesterday, making it dirt cheap. But rumor is, after signing a major face in football to a commercial deal, they landed a billion-dollar deal with a car company. My guess is they’re about to skyrocket. You know how it goes. Buy cheap and sell high. You might want to keep that to yourself, though. I’d hate for the price to start climbing before you even leave the building tonight.”

Excitement danced in Wayne’s eyes. “That’s great. Thank you. Of course, I won’t say a word.”

There. Good deed done for his lifetime. Heath shrugged. The tip really wasn’t that big of a deal. Wayne could make of it what he wanted. “It’s no problem. So, what about you? What’s the juicy gossip going around tonight?”

Wayne chuckled and leaned his way. “Everyone’s saying Prince Noir will bring the tattooed giant he married, but I say it’sdoubtful. The guy’s only shown once with Noir. Not only did he look miserable the entire time, but he also scowled all night, scaring the hell out of everyone. I know he’s a millionaire, but I still can’t believe Noir married him.”

Heath listened and tried not to laugh. Noir and his brute of a husband, Lazarus, were his friends. That gave Heath some insight. Noir fully intended to bring Lazarus. “I disagree. I think Noir enjoys the shocked expressions of his peers. He’ll show.”

Wayne’s eyes lit with something dangerous. “Care to make a wager?”

The clouds parted and everything became clear. That was exactly how Wayne had tanked a lucrative business. Gambling addiction. He saw it now. The guy was always at the tables when Heath showed for a hand. Still, Heath wasn’t one to back down. “What’s the terms?”

It was more than obvious that was the moment Wayne remembered he had nothing to levy. His gaze moved across the room, as if buying time to search his mind. He froze and then met Heath’s stare again. “I bet my contract with Court.”

Heath’s first reaction was a resounding hell no, but then he spotted Court headed back their way. The same mixture of hatred and unwanted desire washed over him. The idea of Court having no choice but to cater to him was a lot more intriguing than he liked. “And if you win?”

Wayne made a dismissive gesture. “You can just match the hundred and fifty thousand dollars left on the last two months of Court’s contract. That way, the bet is even.” He said the words so easily, as if Court nor the money meant anything.

Truthfully, a hundred and fifty thousand was nothing to Heath. He was oddly impressed Court got paid seventy-five thousand a month, but it was still nothing. Nevertheless, he pretended to chew over it, as if he wasn’t that interested. Finally, he gave a sharp nod. “Deal.” They shook hands.

Court appeared at Wayne’s side with two glasses and the guy’s credit card. “What did I miss?”

“Prince Noir and Prince Consort Lazarus Antonsen.”

At the announcement of Noir’s arrival, an evil grin slowly spread across Heath’s face. Wayne let out a curse under his breath. Court looked between them, openly confused.

Heath focused on him, savoring the moment. He stared into dark blue eyes with a thrill he hadn’t felt in ages. “It seems you belong to me now.” It was every bit as satisfying as Heath had hoped.

If Court wasn’t such a consummate actor, he might have dropped his drink at Heath’s smug announcement. He looked Wayne’s way. The shame written in his every line said it all. These men believed their words to be true.

“I don’t know what you two are talking about, but it doesn’t work that way. We have a contract for a reason.” Normally, Court would never discuss the business side of things in public, but this was different. Any embarrassment Wayne felt, he had brought on himself.

Wayne nodded. He still didn’t look Court’s way. “We do, and I’m signing away the last two months of it to Heath.”

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