SHE'S SO CALM. Still crying but I expected a lot to happen once she finds out. I thought she'd scream, I thought she'd ram against the door, yelling obscenities, tore out of the room and run as far away from me as possible. This just shows how little I know her. Human beings are as unpredictable as they are different, and that really shows in extreme situations like this.

She wipes her tears with the back of her hand, and I watch her drag in a deep breath. She's steeling herself. Good girl. When she opens those eyes again, it was glistening and the color is like blazing shards of emeralds.

Christ. She's fucking beautiful.

Those eyes have been killing me for months, ever since I saw them for the very first time. The sight of her drives me insane. I have been hard ever since I step into my house, and as pleasant as the feeling should be, it's starting to become agonizing.

Because I know I'll have to wait. Not after dropping the bomb in her lap. I can't just stomp over and have my way with her, no matter how much I crave it. She deserves better than that, despite the circumstances. She will need some time to adjust, and to understand her situation to the full extent. Only then I can ravage her like a fucking animal.

"Will keeping me here going to absolve all their debts?" Her voice was soft, meek, like she feel resigned.

Her reaction was everything I could hope for, displaying the full extent of her vulnerability, her anxiety, her helplessness. I step back and perched against the wall, my arms crossed over my chest as my eyes travel down her body. "We'll see. I don't usually run my decisions through some pussy I like plowing."

She went still again, and when she finally looked my way, there was a glimmer in her eyes I'd never seen before. And a smile form in my lips.

"Take that back." Her voice coming across stronger than earlier and her hands had curled into a fists against her side.

There goes my Butterfly. She's all mine now. The thought flashed across my mind, making me grin broadly.

"Did that offend you?" I ask, aware she can hear the taunt in my tone. It only makes her angrier and I'm entertained.

She stares at me, hard and angry, her forehead furrowed, eyes blazing. "I said take it back!" she screamed.

I push off from the wall, and reached for the hem of my shirt before pulling it over my head, leaving me half naked.

"What will you do with me?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

"That is none of your concern." I answered as I continued to strip until I'm down to my boxer briefs.

She scoffed. "You don't think my future is any of my concern?"

When I look back at her, she was deathly still. I appreciate how her narrow shoulders tremble as her gaze shifts from my eyes to my chest. Inevitably they move to a point anywhere in the room. Anywhere but on me. Though each time she is drawn back.

"No. Because your future is mine."

I stepped closed, only stopping when there's only an inch separating us, her honey and floral scent fogging my head like a fucking drug. I look at her mouth and I wonder if she realizes she licks her lips when I do. I let my gaze drop farther to the swell of her breasts and my mouth waters at the sight.

I leaned forward and traced the back of my hand down her shoulder. "It's been a long day, and it would be really nice to bury myself inside you, but you wouldn't want that right now, don't you Butterfly?"

She sucks in a breath at my touch. That sound, the tremble of her body when I bring my nose to her pulse and take a deep breath in, makes my dick hard. I brushed my fingertips down her arm before softly caressing her stiff nipple through her shirt, causing her to shiver. "I bet if I shoved my hand inside your panty, you'll be soaked. Aren't you?"

She's trembling now as I graze my lips against the

side of her neck, before placing a soft kiss there.

"One week. That's just how far I can give you. Now, I'm going to sleep. You can join me in the bed or sleep on the floor, it's up to you." I said before climbing over the bed and sank between the crisp, fresh sheets. I close my eyes and waited.

I had no idea how long she stood there.

Maybe an hour or two. But I was wide awake when I heard her soft footfalls approaching the door, and when I heard the knob squeak lightly, I smirked. I had it locked automatically, and will only be open using my fingerprints. A heavy sigh, and then it was silence. I waited for another hour before opening my eyes to find her sleeping form curled against the dresser beside the window. I walked toward her, and stopped at her side, staring down at her.

Her face was bathed in the dim light, her skin looking radiant under its subtle glow. I took the time to drink her in, to fully appreciate how fucking perfect the picture was of her sleeping so peacefully. All the lines of worry had smoothed out of her face, making her look incredibly young and innocent. A few strands of hair had fallen across her forehead, and I watched the rhythmic movement of her chest as she breathed.

After a while, I was unable to resist the powerful longing to hold her. I leaned down and carried her to the bed. She stirred briefly but she was a heavy sleeper, and when I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her in close, her back to my chest, I heard her sigh of contentment and felt her body relax further against mine. For a few hours, I held her. Slept for a while and woke up just as the morning light was starting to peek in through the curtains. She doesn't stir as I slip out of the bed but even after my shower, she hasn't moved. Her body must be exhausted after the long drive from the airport yesterday, not to mention her mind. Her emotions.

I watch her as I dress, study her face in sleep. Soft and relaxed, eyelashes thick and heavy, lips parted just a little, her breathing deep. I go downstairs and find Vince in the kitchen having coffee. He stood to greet me.

"Sir."

I nod at him, and he followed me as I head to my office. "Tell me about it." I said as soon as I sat down.

"Several members had reached out to him as expected. Here are the new names that popped up," he placed a sheet of paper on the desk and I reach over to grab it.

The anger, the rage—it all swirled like a vortex of poison in my gut as I read the last name on the list. "Is this..."

"Yes, sir. I believe it's the same man who bought her."

Vitale Estrada. The name marked on her neck when I found her beside the dump truck that night. I stood and look out the window, barely hanging unto my anger now. I need a fucking release.

"Go on." I gritted out the word, my mind already filled with hundred ways of torture I will unleash upon him.

"He was the mob connection we found out in the beginning, but we have the name this time. Estradas. And he was the one Dorian reach out to for help regarding the accident. He offered her as a..." Vince paused, and I knew he didn't want to utter the next words.

He cleared out his throat, before continuing, "The Estrada family was controlling Boston and it seems he's planning on moving west."

The fact that he appeared now means the upcoming auction is important to him. They will all gather like motherfucking vultures and feasts on their preys until they were stripped of humanity and nothing but an empty shells.

Just like what they did to her.

"I want solid intel about the auction. Make sure each person on that list will be present that night,"

He stood straight. "Yes, Sir." Then he paused. "Miss Arabella had been to your apartment a few times today. She's persistent."

I smiled. "I bet she was."

She's been blowing off my phone since yesterday and I hadn't reply to any of her messages. She's panicking and desperately need help to save her parents. Little did she know I'm the least person she should be asking for help.

"I'll deal with her soon. As for the Chief's video, I want them on national news this evening."

"Yes sir." He stepped out and the door closed behind him.

A sick thrill rushed through me as I think about the best player I plan to involve in this hunt. I just need him to come through for me and when he does, I'll act.