Page 49 of Leave Me Broken

Payson’s jaw drops, followed by various gasps and a louder one right into the microphone. “Ten thousand?” She doesn’t bother hiding her surprise this time. She asks me in a way that sounds like she’s asking why? at the same time.

There’s a long moment of silence. I smirk at Payson when Chanel closes the bid.

I fall back into my seat and let out a long breath.

“You are getting lucky tonight, fratello.” Luca chuckles to my right. I join in because he’s right, but I was getting lucky before I bought my girl a ten-thousand-dollar dress.

The auction ends with Alyssa’s going for six thousand, thanks to her dad. He was willing to bid seven on Payson but not his daughter. Most people have cleared out and I stand toward the back after turning my check in for Payson’s dress, waiting for her to appear, hopefully still wearing it. I was going to ask Chanel to tell her but thought better of it. Bad enough I spent ten grand on my player’s dress. I bid a little on each girl, but no where near ten thousand. I’m sure that will earn me a few questions, but I’m hopeful most people here tonight are not the same people attending our games and being where I am.

“Hefty number for a volleyball coach.”

Chuck stops next to me and pins me with a knowing scowl.

“You forget I’ve been to the Olympics. Three times, and I brought home gold each time.”

He narrows his eyes. “Of course.” He pauses. “It’s great that your team is going to have so much money for whatever volleyball teams spend money on.”

He’s trying to get a rise from me. Knowing this, I flatten my lips. “There is plenty we can do with the money.”

He waves his hand and a wicked grin stretches his leathery skin. “Of course, of course. Spending ten thousand on a dress because you need new balls or something. Nothing to do with the tight little pussy wearing it, right?”

I’m going to fucking kill this pervert. Red clouds my vision and I whip around, grab him by the collar, and shove him against the nearest wall. He is smaller than me and easy enough to manhandle like the sack of shit he is. “You bloody say another word involving Payson and—”

“Everything okay here?” Jethro’s harsh voice hisses lowly.

Chuck’s suit wrinkles as my hands curl tighter. “Fine.” I let him go and step away, giving me space so I don’t kill him in front of all these people.

Jethro’s eyes are burning into the side of my face but I don’t look his way. Chuck straightens his suit and tie, pretending nothing happened.

“Just fine, thank you.”

The doors open and a few girls walk out, one of them being Payson, still in their outfits. She smiles when she sees me but it slips at seeing my company. God, she’s so fucking pretty, but I wish I could shield that pretty from Chuck’s beady stare.

She’s called for photos with the rest of the girls as are the coaches. “Jethro.” I dip my chin once, ignoring his intense green eyes.

Several photos are taken for the newspaper and Chanel’s blog or something she said before joining into the photos. Thankfully, next to Luca, on the opposite side of me.

“I can’t believe you,” Payson whispers. “But thank you.”

I brush my fingers over hers. “There was no way I was going to risk not being able to take it off you.”

Her giggle is soft and so bloody sweet, but it shoots right to my dick that is struggling to stay flaccid with her so close. The vanilla scent on her skin permeates the air between us.

Luca wanders our way with wide eyes and Chanel trailing behind him like he’s a gazelle and she’s a lion stalking its prey.

“She has a question for us,” he mutters when he’s close enough so she won’t hear but I will.

Payson lifts a brow in question.

Luca twists his face up. “Something you are not going to want to hear, coniglietta.”

I’m trying to work out what it could be when Chanel stands in front of us and tugs the neckline of her dress even lower. I don’t take the bait. Payson stiffens by my side, and I stroke the back of her hand.

“I hope you enjoyed yourselves.” Her voice is far too sexual when she says that in front of my team. I guess most have scattered, but still.

I have to force the words out from a tight jaw. “Yes. I hope my girls got what I wanted them to from this.”

Her eyes tighten. “We had a fantastic turnout. All purchased items will be drycleaned, delivered to their respective purchasers, and then the money will be deposited to you early next week.”

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