Tender Bang Novels & Stories

Tony was standing by the door when I walked in. He followed behind, his words not so clear as my mind wasn’t in the room with me. “Not now, Tony!” I sent him away in anger. I hurried up the stairs but stopped half way. The tears brewing in me had somehow taken the strength from me. Or was it Elena’s slap? I clutched my chest and pulled away from the railing, leaning against the wall and letting the tears stream down uncontrollably. The music in the hall was nothing conpared to the rhythms of pain in my heart.

And of course, it was Ciaran fucking Valente. The bidding started at one million, then rose to three. Five. Seven. Ten. The numbers climbed, tension thickening between us as we silently refused to yield. If it had been anyone else, I wouldn't have wasted my breath. But this? This was him. And if there's anything I refuse to do, it's back down from a Valente. But then, at the very last moment, when the numbers began reaching ridiculous levels, I let my expression shift—to boredom. To disinterest. And, with the smallest smirk, I tossed my bid aside.