No Limits (Stacked Deck #5) - Emilia Finn Page 0,116

and force the poor man to face his admirers. “Aiden Kincaid holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and…” I flick my hand. “I forget. Other things. Maybe Karate?”

Gritted teeth, grinding jaw. He sets me on fire with his eyes.

But he nods.

“Yeah.” I turn back to my captivated crowd. “Karate. Aiden can be a little shy, but he’s loyal, and likes walks on the beach at sunset.”

“Is he a dog?” Evie cackles.

I firm my quivering lips and try not to laugh. “Please, ladies and gentlemen, start your bidding. The reserve is set at five hundred thousand dollars, and may go up in fifty-thousand-dollar increments. For your trouble and much appreciated donations toward Stacked Deck’s coffers, you will receive one night – a date, a meal, a gentleman who will pick you up at your door. He’ll wear the suit he’s wearing tonight, he’ll use lovely manners, unless, of course, you prefer your men with a little less tact, and after he buys you a meal and spoils you with a night of wonderful discussion and wit, he’ll drive you home again, and maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll get a farewell kiss on the cheek.”

The moms – Tina, Izzy, Britt, Tink, and Kit – freeze in their steps and stare at us. Mouths agape, wide eyes, they merely remain in place and stare.

“Please…” I bow toward Aiden. “Show the man some love.”

“Six hundred thousand dollars!”

I knew it! I fucking knew it would work!

“What?” Aiden snaps at me. “You can’t be serious? I’m a married man!”

“You don’t have to go to bed with them, Biggie!” Evie folds at the waist and cackles. “Loosen up, and make us some money.”

“Fuck he will,” Bobby hollers from the back of the room. He pushes away from the wall at a sprint, and barrels his way to the stage. “Who wants to bid on me?”

“Bobby!” Kit snaps.

“Baby! I gotta raise the most. You know I do. It’s a matter of pride.”

“Wait your turn,” I laugh. I take Bobby’s hand and hold him back to give Aiden the spotlight. “Can we get six-fifty?” I ask the crowd.

Funny, I think to myself, that everyone thought I was inviting the rich old men for their poker chip purchases. In reality, I was inviting the rich old men because I knew they’d bring their rich old wives.

When a hand is raised to up the bid to six-fifty, I smile. “Seven hundred thousand dollars? Can I get seven hundred thousand dollars for a date with the Roller who will probably be the most chivalrous? Trust me, ladies. I’ve eaten dinner with this man. He’s a sweetheart.”

“Women don’t want chivalry,” Bry hollers from the crowd. “Auction me off, Princess. Let’s see what happens then.”

“No!” Giggling, I press a hand to my stomach and shake my head. “You’re not for sale.”

“We don’t want the youngins anyway,” a woman hollers. “We want men who know what they’re doing.”

“Hold up now.” Tina takes Kit’s hand and moves through the room at a fast trot.

They wear gowns too, beautiful, elegant, floor-length gowns that make them look like royalty.

They stomp up the steps and snatch my microphone out of my hand.

“Peaches?” Aiden growls. “What the fuck?”

“Here, hold my wine.”

“Oh shit!” Evie laughs. “She’s doing it.”

“Ladies and gentlemen… well… gentlemen.” Tina strides across the stage and pops her butt as she goes. “A dinner date with a lady, perhaps?”

That steals the attention of the remaining men who were more interested in the chips than the Rollers.

“Dinner, wit, beauty, and a wicked sense of humor. Shall we start the bids at a million neat, and raise only by hundred-thousand-dollar increments?”

“Yep.” The husband of the woman who wants Aiden raises his hand. “One-point-five, and not a single cent more.”

“One-six!” another shouts.

Tina turns to me and winks.

“I cannot believe your cajones,” Evie pulls me into a laughing hug. “You’re insane!”

“I think we just raised enough to fill the purses, reward the most spirited fighter, and donate a chunk to your women’s shelter.”

She stops, and studies my eyes. She looks almost close to tears. Her lips shake, but no longer from mirth. “You did it, Maddi. Thank you.”

“Thanks for trusting me.” I pull her in for a gentler hug.

I feel like I’ve found a sister. In her, in Lucy and Brooke, and in all of the other cousins I could have sworn were bitches before I got to know them.

Before truly knowing them, I couldn’t understand why Bry got so abrasive whenever talk of his family came up. Why would he