Page 200 of Auctioned

“About that.” Watching James at work is thrilling.

The power he exudes when it’s just the two of us is different from what I’m seeing now.

This aura surrounding him. How he commands a room. Even one of the strongest criminals in New York listens to him with rapt attention. With respect.

“Yes?”

“As of today, our other business is officially closed.”

A decision James and I reached this afternoon. We haven’t thought about what to do with the law firm yet. The auction house will no longer exist, though. Neither James nor I are interested in running it.

Too many bad memories.

Plus, we won’t miss the money. We’re inheriting Oliver and Camden’s estate by default, since their lineage will come to an end soon. As per the contract between the two families, of course. We’re already set for life. Their wealth will ensure that our entire bloodline is taken care of.

And as for the leverage the auction house has provided him? We still have plenty of secrets in James’s safe.

“Oh? We’re talking about that?” Eyebrows scrunched, Alessandro leans his elbows on the conference table. “And here I thought you called me here to discuss our retainer fees.”

The ones they renegotiate every five years.

“Those won’t change for another five years. We, at Hawthorne Morgan, want to keep you satisfied.” That is if we stay here that long.

Alessandro cuts his gaze to me.

James clears his throat, leaning forward and demanding his attention. Sending him adon’t even think about itlook. “The retainer fees, Alessandro. Consider it compensation for the inconvenience caused by shutting down our other business.”

“You could raise your fees, no problem there.” His eyes are calculating. He licks his lips. “Keep me satisfied by selling me the auction house.”

“No.”

That was another aspect we discussed. We trust no one to keep the women safe like James and Oliver have. We went as far as to promise the employees that they’ll stay on our payroll as long as they don’t cross over to a competing business.

This way, they won’t try to convince the women that the other place is safe when it isn’t.

There aren’t too many employees there anyway. Paying them a salary for basically doing nothing is sustainable.

“You haven’t heard my offer.”

“No, and that’s final.” James’s firm refusal sends chills up my spine. His authoritative, low, and husky voice. It’s addictive. “We won’t be selling it to anyone else. Consider it off the table.”

“What about your son? And Oliver? Don’t they have a say in this?”

“Oliver and I have come to this decision together.”

I press my lips together. Otherwise, I’d burst out laughing.

“Can’t blame a man for trying.” Alessandro lifts his hands in surrender. His laugh is short and polite.

“Good.”

With that out of the way, he asks, “So, our new contract, where do I sign?”

James pushes the folder Andrea placed here earlier toward him.

Alessandro takes out an expensive pen from his jacket and signs, and James reaches for me under the table. He squeezes my thigh once.

I know what that squeeze means.

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