“I
think I have been more than lenient as it is,” Jameson answered. If he didn’t
collect on his debts, he would appear weak. While he had no need for the money
lent to Xavier, he’d be penniless if he allowed situations like this to be
ignored. Either he had the might to get back what was his or he lost all
credibility.
“I
will get your money to you. I need
more time.”
“I’ve
been listening to your broken promises for far too long. I want what’s mine.
Now. Not later. You have until midnight tonight.” He paused, savoring the
moment. “Or I take control of what’s yours tomorrow morning.”
“There
is no way in hell I can get you ten million in gold by the end of the night.”
Xavier frowned, his eyes moving back and forth in their sockets as if his mind
sought for some solution to his quandary. “I’ll give you something in trade.”
“If
you had anything that valuable, you would’ve already leveraged it to get the
money you asked me for.”
“It’s
not that simple,” Xavier huffed.
“So
what do you have that’s worth anywhere near ten million?”
Xavier
lifted his gaze. “My son.”
Jameson
sucked in a breath, shocked the man would offer up his own son as repayment. “I
do not trade in flesh.”
“My
youngest son—Dylan—is an omega. You can hold him until I bring your gold to
you.” Xavier blanched even whiter. “And use
him as you see fit until I do.”
The
words hung heavily in the air as Jameson snarled at the man.
When
he’d first been brought into the world of shifters, sexual slaves were
commonplace. Omegas had been treated as a commodity, fathers selling their sons
and daughters to fulfill debts or make alliances within and outside their own
prides. It went out of practice at the dawn of the last century, but was still
known to happen on occasion.
Jameson
had never before accepted a living being as payment nor would he. “No.”
“You
must meet him,” Xavier said, walking to the door.
“I
don’t need to—”
Xavier
was whipped into a frenzy, not hearing Jameson’s words. He flung open the door
and waved his hand to urge someone closer.
“Xavier,
no,” he spat as Christof crossed the room to stop the man.
But
it was too late. The young man was ushered into the office by his father. He
lifted his pale gaze.
Heat
slammed into Jameson the second their eyes met. The air was knocked from his
lungs as his heart beat rapidly, thundering in his ears. Body tense, he had to
sit down so as not to broadcast his thickening cock. Sitting was a sign of
weakness. A growl rumbled up his throat as he eyed both men.
“Jameson,
my son.” Xavier glanced at the young man. “Say hello.”
Xavier’s
son frowned at his father, sensing something was wrong. He turned and met
Jameson’s stare again. “Hello,” the omega said, his voice low.
Low,
yet it still rippled down Jameson’s spine, spiking the lust growing within.
Christof
turned and looked to Jameson.
One
shake of his head and both men would be tossed from his office. He lifted a
hand, stilling Christof.
Jameson
stared up and down the omega’s body, tracing every detail he could see. The man
wore a suit much like his father’s—off the rack, but well made. The dove gray
color reminded Jameson of the morning jackets he’d once been fond of, a
lifetime or two ago. A tailored suit would fit his lean body much better and
allow Jameson a better view.
I’ll buy him suits to
fill room upon room—for when
he’s not in my bed.
The
thought shocked him to the core.
He
drew in an unsteady breath as Xavier closed the door. The breeze of air crossed
over the omega and made its way to Jameson. He drew in the scent. Unable to
stop himself, he purred slightly. Heat flamed his face at the sound and it grew
even hotter when he saw the slight hitch of Xavier’s lips.
“Perhaps
he is worth ten million after all,” Xavier said in a low voice.
Jameson
stared the man’s son up and down, knowing that, once in his grasp, the male
would never leave. Thoughts were racing through his mind, thoughts he never
imagined would come to him. He despised the practice of offered servitude, yet
here he was unwilling to let the young lion escape him.
Whatever it takes.
