Page 92 of A Dark Duet

“Get one thing straight. I don’t treat her like a piece of meat. You obviously didn’t treat her like you should have, or she would not be dancing or taking me in a back room.”

“You motherfucker. I should get up and pound your face until you stop breathing.”

He brushes off my threat and places an iPad on the desk and turns it so I can see something that looks like a document. “What the fuck is that?” I ask.

“I’m showing you the agreement I have with her because we both run in the same circles and know the same individuals. I know that her best friend is with Nate Phoenix and he is your good friend. I don’t want any problems. It’s not good for business and I don’t want her childhood friend to worry that some mysterious billionaire is taking advantage of her best friend. That would cause Briana to be stressed and if my sources are correct, Giselle is the only person she has left. Her drug-addicted mother doesn’t count.”

“Why should you give a fuck about her?”

“Because… I have fallen for her, and I’ll do anything for her.”

My eyes widen and a jealous rage builds inside me, waiting to erupt.

“Briana has a problem, as I’m sure you noticed at the club. She is a victim of trauma and according to a well-known psychiatrist I have entrusted with her personal issues, Briana has PTSD and is a rape victim. She has extensive trauma and it is not from one encounter. It’s from a series of encounters. She probably doesn’t sleep much.”

Frowning, I look at the iPad to read the document. His words echo in my head. He highlighted the parts he knows I’m interested in.

“When reading the document, note it details what I expect of her when we meet. Oral from both parties but no penetration except from my tongue. No anal, bondage, third-party, no hitting, slapping. She is adamant about not sleeping over at my house. She has never stayed the night. I’m not telling you this because I’m gloating. My agreement with Briana also states as a requirement that she will not take anyone else as a client in the VIP of Equinox. I’m her first and only client. My agreement with her was for a month, no kissing on the lips and no other women. There is a week and a half left of the agreement. I have provided a generous mode of transportation. I have also agree to pay for her studies and extra, so she doesn’t have to worry about paying rent or food. She is also required to appear publicly with me on one occasion. Which she has already accompanied me to a fundraiser.”

My rage is boiling, imagining her pleasuring this asshole. Imagining Briana coming apart on his tongue instead of mine. Serves me right for letting her go. What did I expect, that she wasn’t going to be fucking someone else? It goes both ways but like I said, I’m a selfish asshole. Now, I’m a very jealous, selfish asshole. Briana has been battling something dark. Something most wouldn’t be able to handle.

“The psychiatrist also told me she has adapted to this type of life because of events that occurred in her past. She has been coping with it since it happened.”

“What events? What are you talking about? I know she wasn’t brought up in a house with a white picket fence. Her drug-addicted mother is in jail, her father could be anyone, and she was raped and beaten. I took care of it.”

“I’m aware you and your associates have looked out for her and her best friend. I’m afraid it is a little deeper than that. I also need you to be aware that her mother is being released on good behavior and my guess is she will contact Briana and ask for handouts. It also doesn’t take a genius to figure out that her mother will most likely end up back where she started or around the same scumbags. Hence, bringing Briana back to where it all began making her condition a lot worse.”

Looking at the device, I keep reading every aspect and the amount he is paying her.

My heart constricts at the realization that I have failed her. I broke my promise to her and left her alone. I abandoned her. Now Ethan Carter has her in his sights.

He slides a file across his desk and says, “I took the liberty of getting a copy of the request you sent from the guy we use.” He points to the file. “Those are her medical records you requested. At the age of seventeen, when rumors were circulating about her first boyfriend when he took her virginity and went around town telling people she was a whore like her mother. Apparently, her mother’s associates took notice and brutally raped her. Repeatedly.”

With nervous fingers, I open the file and read the medical records of her assault, her surgery to repair the damage, medications given to prevent STDs and pregnancy. Everything given to a rape victim on several occasions. Jesus Christ.

“I’m afraid there were more than one of those pieces of shit,” he says, using the same words I threw at him. “My sources have found where they are located and will soon have the details with their names and addresses. I’m sure you would like to handle this since you made the effort to come to me. I am personally involved but either way, the same result will occur.”

My eyes flash in dark anger that I was too stupid and blind to see. My anger is more directed toward myself than this asshole.

Composing myself and keeping my cool, I know I can only direct the anger toward myself. I have no choice but to be a little civil.

“I appreciate you finding everything out on their whereabouts.”

He shakes his head. “I didn’t do it for me, I did it for her. She does trust you somewhat but I’m trying to make sure she is… comfortable. She deserves that.”

In trying to help Brianna, this asshole is trying to make a point that he pleasures her. Even if I appreciate the shortcut in him giving me the information, I could find it myself through the same sources. He will soon realize who Briana truly belongs to and whose bed she prefers to sleep in.

“Are there any questions you have for me?”

“Yes. I actually want to know how much you spent on the gifts you gave her so I can wire you the money.”

He chuckles. “No need. If she ever needs anything she knows who to ask.”

My teeth clench because he keeps pushing me to snap. “I’m going to take care of those pricks my way. The vehicle, she will give it back, or I’ll simply pay for it.”

He is beginning to get annoyed because his knuckles are turning white when he grips the desk. “Taking care of those assholes is enough. The car and the gifts are hers to keep.”

I bolt from my chair and lean across his desk with a snarl. “Then I’ll fucking burn it all. I don’t give a fuck about whatever agreement you have. Whatever sick fantasy you have with her ends now. Don’t go near her,” I warn him.

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