Christmas Captive - Isabella Starling Page 0,36

my head. "She's not for sale."

"Everyone has a price," Gibbons drawled. "I'm sure your Kitty does too." He grinned when he saw the worry etched on my face. "Oh yes, I've done my research. Amicia Romano is her real name. A wannabe dancer."

"You had no right-" Amicia spoke up, but I gently took her shaky hand in mine and pulled her back.

"I'll handle this," I told her calmly before turning my attention back to Gibbons. "While I appreciate your sudden interest in my toy, it is neither welcome nor warranted, as she will never belong to you."

"That's up to her." Gibbons leaned back in his chair without a care in the world. "I think she should be the one to decide, don't you?"

"I don't want anything to do with you," Amicia barked from her half-hidden position.

"Oh but darling, think of the money." Gibbons' eyes sparkled as he leaned forward. "I could make you rich."

"I don't want your money," Amicia muttered.

"That settles it as far as I'm concerned," I added pointedly. "She's not fucking interested. If you strike a deal with the girl after December twenty-fifth, that's up to her. But while she's mine, you will not touch her."

"Then you can kiss your deal goodbye," Gibbons delivered the punchline we'd all been waiting for. "The copy with my signature has... ah, mysteriously disappeared." He smirked. "How convenient for me."

"If you want to play dirty, that's fine with me, Ilan," I told him. "Just know you're playing by my rules now."

I stood up, buttoning my blazer, and he followed suit, eyes flashing with anger. He was seemingly so convinced I'd accept his offer, he seemed shocked I was already done with the conversation.

"Need I remind you our lack of collaboration will cost you?" he spoke up viciously. "Are you really trying to complicate your own life even further, Kline?"

"No," I smiled broadly. "I'm just trying to put the trash where it belongs."

He gasped, the color draining from his face while Amicia giggled behind us. "I will not be spoken to like that."

"And what are you going to do about it?" I smirked. "You may run the legalities around here, but I can have you dead within the night."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Yes," I grinned. "What are you going to do about it?"

After a moment of silence, he hammered the desk with his fist. "You haven't heard the end of this, Kline. And you'll wish you'd agreed to my terms the next time I come here."

"I don't have regrets," I told him. "And I'm not about to start because of you. Now, if you'd be so kind and get the fuck out."

The man stormed out of his office, and I watched him smash the elevator button with his finger. He gave me one last pissed-off look before the doors closed and the lift began its descent.

My argument with Gibbons would cost me months of work. But there was nothing to be done. He'd offended my Kitty, and threatened me. He was lucky he'd gotten out alive. Most men of his stature and age were wise enough not to try and provoke me. Gibbons would just have to find out the hard way why that was.

"Are you okay?" I helped Amicia to her feet. "You're shivering. Are you cold?"

"No, that guy just gives me the creeps," she muttered. "Is he gone?"

"Yes, and he isn't coming back." I ran my hands down her ice-cold forearms. "You're freezing. It's too cold in here for this adorable Miss Sexy Santa outfit."

She grinned despite herself, doing a little twirl for me. "You like it?"

"You look perfect, Kitty," I assured her. "How about you give me a little private show in the playroom?"

Her eyes sparkled with delight. "I would love that, Sir."

"Perfect," I smirked. "Then what are you waiting for? Get that little ass in the room so I can put some marks on it..."

She seemed scared by the thought and yet she smiled, heading straight for the playroom. My mind unfolded with dark possibilities of what I could and would do to her in the room. One thing was certain. Everything Gibbons wished he could do to Amicia, I would end up doing to spite him tonight.

Chapter 12

Grayson

A week had passed since I'd taken my newest plaything to the Opera. With Kai being gone, I'd been consumed by the tasks I needed to complete to keep my business in check. I didn't have much time to spend with Amicia, and she seemed to understand that I was a busy