Page 4 of My Grumpy Billionaire Protector

Days later, weak with hunger, I remember having my back pressed against the wall when the door creaked open, revealing a few of the guys I’d hung out with. One of them had slid a plate underneath the bars and smirked. Their eyes were dead aside from the dark glint that stayed with me long after their faces receded to the back of my mind.

A year later, when the police finally came, it wasn’t just the cells that I remembered but the endless parade of people whose faces all blurred together as they watched us inside our enclosures with our hands chained behind our backs as we waited to be bought.

When I was reintroduced to the world after months of lying in a hospital bed, it was Cory who’d stayed by my side, muttering over and over about how he was going to hurt those sick fucks.

Unfortunately, the ring leaders of the human trafficking operation had disappeared without a trace. Even now, ten years later, it was like they had never existed to begin with. Aside from my memories and a few scars on my arms and legs, I have no proof, and I’ve long since made my peace with it.

Someday, they’ll get what’s coming to them.

As hard as it was to assimilate to normal life, it was my return to the suburbs that had nearly destroyed me. On a quiet and cold winter night, Cory and I had stood outside my parents’ house on the other side of the picket fence watching through the windows. My mother had been bouncing a baby up and down, pausing every so often to kiss his face. Then, my father emerged and drew them both into a hug.

They were the picture-perfect unblemished family.

As first-generation Irish Americans, not only had they proven themselves to be worthy of the sacrifice their parents had made, but they had also gone above and beyond in terms of molding themselves into the image of the American dream.

I had known, without a shadow of a doubt, that I didn’t belong there anymore. So I’d walked away and got into the car with Cory, and he had driven us back into the city. At first, I had a few odd jobs here and there, barely scraping by until Cory made me an offer. Initially, I’d been opposed to the idea of going into business with my cousin, even if he had a thing for numbers, but after trying it out, I’d realized it was the perfect fit.

Everything I could want or desire is given to me on a silver platter.

It is the fucking dream, the kind of life most men would kill for.

I am living it up, having worked my way to the top and earned the kind of respect and admiration I’ve only ever dreamed about. As far as I am concerned, this is exactly the kind of life I want, and there is no going back. Not even Cory’s revelation that my parents looked for me when I disappeared, only to be told that I was dead, had changed my mind.

Phoebe and Lucas O’Connor had made their decision. And I’ve made mine.

When the blonde climbs onto my lap and places both hands around my neck, I come to with a jolt. I offer her a slow smile as she grinds against me, offering me a full and unobstructed view of her cleavage.

“Like what you see?” she asks.

I place my hands on either side of her hips and shift. “I’d like it a lot better if you were naked.”

“That can be arranged.” She gives me a sultry smile and leans forward, pressing her lips to my neck. “I can help you forget, baby.”

Her dress rides up her thighs, and I dig my nails into her skin. “I doubt that.”

“I love a good challenge.” Her breath is warm on the side of my neck.

I lean forward, reach for my glass, and gulp it all down. Then, I signal for another and do the same while she rubs herself against me, growing bolder and bolder with each passing minute.

Why the fuck am I thinking of my past when I have a half-naked woman practically begging me to fuck her?

Angrily, I push all of those thoughts away and turn my attention back to her. In one swift move, I stand up and tug her after me. We disappear behind two curtains that swish shut behind us. The blonde giggles as she stumbles after me, her voice low and husky.

By the time we reach the end of the hallway and the private room there, I am more than ready to bury myself in her and forget. With slow and steady movements, I punch in the code. The door hisses open, revealing a spacious bedroom with an opulent bed.

The blonde wastes no time climbing onto the bed and stripping down to her lingerie. I kick off my shoes, chuck off my jacket, and lower myself onto the bed. Over the next hour, I lose myself in her, keeping the demons at bay until she screams out in pleasure, and I follow soon after.

As soon as I roll off of her, my phone buzzes.

I crawl forward, snatch my jeans off the floor, and bring the phone up to my face. After scanning the message, I stand and walk over to the adjoining bathroom. “I have to go. You can order whatever you want and add it to my tab.”

“But I still have plenty of energy,” she moans.

“If I’m done early, I can come find you later.”

“How will I know who to look for?” She jumps off the bed and saunters over to me. When she reaches me, she runs a finger along the front of my chest and down my happy trail. “I didn’t even get your name.”

“It’s Shane.” I grip her hand and step out of her reach. “It’s been fun.”

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