Every Woman Had a Price

Kai had spoken too soon.

Less than three days passed before someone set his sights on that girl, Susie Baldwin.

I was out on a yacht off the coast of Averon when I spotted her among a group of women swimming around the boat.

We liked to call these outings fishing trips. However, everyone was well aware that we weren't out here fishing for fish.

We were fishing for women.

The rules were simple. Throw enough money around, and someone would take the bait sooner or later.

Most of the women knew the game and the stakes. They laughed, flirted, and did whatever they could to catch the attention of the wealthy men on board.

Well, all of them except Susie.

The others were enjoying themselves, while she struggled just to stay afloat. Her arms flailed desperately as she fought to keep her head above water. "Help! Somebody help me! I can't swim!"

A heavyset man standing beside me burst out laughing. "Now, that's my kind of girl! Hang on, sweetheart! I'm coming!"

He stripped down to his swim trunks and jumped overboard without a second thought.

Still, it became very clear that rescuing her wasn't his priority the moment he got to her.

He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close instead of helping her back onto the yacht. When his hands moved toward her swimsuit, Susie panicked and desperately tried to push him away. "Let go of me! Please!"

He only laughed and tightened his grip as she struggled, ignoring her cries for help.

I watched them for a moment before calmly reeling in my fishing line, put out my cigarette, and jumped into the water.

I reached Susie and pulled her away from him before things could spiral out of control.

She immediately threw her arms around me and clung to me for dear life. Her whole body was trembling, her hair was a mess, and her face had gone pale with fear.

She was a complete mess, but even I had to admit that she was a hot mess.

I thought, 'Damn. This girl is going to be trouble.'

"Cruz Jackson! You son of a bitch!" the fat man roared. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Trying to steal my girl?"

I laughed. "Sorry, pal. The boss has already taken an interest in this one. And you know better than to mess with someone the boss has his eye on."

That shut him right up.

He wasn't afraid of me. To him, I was nothing more than a hired hand. But my boss? That was a different story.

Regardless, he clearly wasn't about to let the matter go so easily.

He raised his arms, showing me the scratches Susie had left while trying to fight him off. "Then, what the hell am I supposed to do about these?"

I didn't answer right away.

Instead, I helped Susie back onto the yacht and set her down on the deck.

Then, I turned to him.

"Three minutes," I said casually. "Settle your grudge if you want, but don't go too far."

The color drained from Susie's face.

She scrambled backward, shaking her head frantically. "No... please. Don't."

I slapped her across the face. "Enough."

She froze, tears spilling down her cheeks.

The man climbed back onto the yacht and approached her with a cruel smile.

I turned away.

I stood by the railing for the next three minutes, smoked another cigarette, and occasionally checked my watch.

Behind me, the man vented his anger on Susie, shouting at her and demanding an apology. She kept begging him to stop, her voice breaking with sobs.

I didn't bother turning around.

The man only walked away when the full three minutes were up, looking rather pleased with himself.

Susie was still sitting on the deck, trembling and crying quietly.

…

By then, I'd lost all interest in the party.

I stubbed out my cigarette and turned to leave.

Alas, something or someone caught my ankle before I could take another step.

I looked down.

It was Susie.

I raised an eyebrow, half expecting her to curse me. Hell, I wouldn't blame her for spitting in my face after what had happened.

To my surprise, she didn't.

Instead, she lifted her tear-streaked face and looked me straight in the eye. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice still shaking.

For a moment, I just stared at her.

Then, I laughed. 'Well, well. She's a clever one, isn't she? She knows exactly how to play her cards. Now, that's a rare find indeed.'