Page 37 of Draco Family Duet

He hit a button and made the call, placing the phone on speaker. I listened to it ring a few times before Blaiseanswered.

“This is Blaise.” He sounded happy, which merely confusedme.

From the look on the billionaire’s face, it confounded him too. “Did you get themoney?”

“I have money. There’s a safe at my home. What I didn’t get is a number. Let’s start the negotiation.” Hechuckled.

Sterling narrowed his eyes and paced in front of the table for a few minutes before speaking. “Does your safe hold fifty milliondollars?”

I rolled my eyes. He was the worst villain ever. I swear he pulled that number out of his ass. I shook my head and stared at the cementfloor.

“I must be having trouble hearing you. It’s really echoic. Where are you?” In the background, I could’ve sworn I heard my fathergasp.

I tilted my head. Did they know where wewere?

Sterling chuckled. “Nice try, Blaise. So, do you have it ornot?”

“Fifty million? Not.” He sighed. “But I can get it. I’ll just need a little more time. The banks won’t close for a fewhours.”

“Well, if you don’t have it, I would consider a trade.” His Cheshire cat grinwidened.

My head hung. I knew what was coming. “Don’t do it. Whatever he wants, I’m not worth it!” Ishouted.

I heard someone inhale sharply. Maybe two someoneseven.

Sterling took two big steps and stood looming over me. “No talking.” Then he backhandedme.

The sound of his hand connecting with my cheek echoed through the room. Tears of humiliation stung my eyes. I’d never been hitbefore.

“Did you just hit her?” Blaise sounded controlled but furious. “There will be no exchange for damaged goods. Think about that.” Then the phone wentdead.

Tears trickled down my cheeks. I sniffled. When I looked up, Joel’s mouth was gaping open. I looked at Sterling as proudly as I could manage. “Can I go to the bathroomnow?”

“No.” He shook with rage. “If you’ve cost me thisdeal…”

“You’ll what?” My brow rose. Humiliation had been replaced with rage. My throbbing cheek wasn’t helping matters. I reached up, swiped at what I thought to be lingering tears, only to find my cheek was bleeding. When I glanced at his hand, I realized he was wearing a big silver pinky ring. “You cut me,” I noted. “You’d better be glad I mean nothing to Mr. Draco. If he cared about me and saw this, you’d besorry.”

Sterling leaned in, until his nose nearly touched mine. “You want to know why he doesn’t care about you, why no man will ever care aboutyou?”

I braced. This was going to get ugly. “It’s not true.” I shook myhead.

“Which part? The part where you let your mother die? Or the part where you’ll never allow yourself to love or be loved because of it?” He leaned backslightly.

Digging deep, I somehow managed to keep my chin up, but my lower lip quivered. “That isn’t why he doesn’t care aboutme.”

“Are you sure about that?” He leaned closer again. “When I think about what you did, I’m thinking you might be my perfect match. What do you say?” He waggled his brows atme.

Completely revolted, I looked away, but he grabbed my chin and forced me to meet his gaze. “If you were the last man on earth, you still wouldn’t have a shot withme.”

Sterling glared, but then grabbed the back of my neck and I knew he was going to try to kiss me. Without considering the consequences, I reared back and made sure the top of my forehead connected with the bridge of his nose. He stood, screaming in pain, holding his nose with one hand. This time, his free hand formed a fist. “You vicious bitch!” Then he punched me, but since I was expecting it, his fist only glanced off my othercheek.

I glared at him, so angry I’d almost forgotten how badly I had to pee. Then on the back side of the building, there was a roar, and the sound of breaking glass. My heart pounded in my chest. He was here. Somehow, Blaise had foundme.

A second later, my dragon burst through the back wall and spit a line of fire that had the men scrambling for the front door. No one even gave me a second thought. Only, when they pulled open the sliding doors at the front of the building, they found a second dragon standing there. Instead of having red and black scales like Blaise, this one was black and purple. My head tilted.Who the hell wasthat?

The men rushed away from the door as he lazily entered the room, his eyes fixed on his prey. They couldn’t evade both dragons. Ira tripped and landed hard on his knee. “Help me, boss!” he shouted. I laughed. I knew what would happen. Men like Sterling only helpedthemselves.

Sure enough, the billionaire hesitated for a split second before he bolted for the steps that would take him to the catwalk and eventually the roof. I watched as Blaise shifted, landing on the catwalk in a crouch. “Girard.” He spoke in a low angryvoice.

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