Theirs to Corrupt (Titans Captivated #5)

Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

The Next Day

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The sun dips below the Houston horizon, painting the clouds in vibrant streaks of orange. The stunning view is one of the reasons I have office suites on the fiftieth floor of my downtown building. This evening, I barely notice it.

My mind is consumed by thoughts of her.

Nikki.

The door to my office opens silently, and Pax strides in. His face is grim, a thick folder tucked under one arm.

“You found something,” I state, not bothering to phrase it as a question.

Pax nods, dropping the folder onto my glass-topped desk with an ominous thud. “You’re not going to like it.”

I’m behind my desk, and I lean back in my chair, gesturing to the folder.

But before I can reach for it, Pax moves to the sleek chrome-and-glass bar cart in the corner. The clink of crystal and the quiet gurgle of pouring liquid fills the silence.

“You’re going to need this,” he says, returning with two tumblers of amber liquid and offering one to me.

Bonds whiskey. What else?

I accept the glass, raising an eyebrow. “Bad?”

Pax drops into the seat across from me, his muscled frame dwarfing the modern leather chair. “Worse.”

With a deep breath, I flip open the folder. The first thing I see is a driver’s license photo. It’s her—Nikki—but the name reads “Tessa Tremaine.”

My blood runs cold. “Tremaine,” I mutter. “As in…”

“Axel Tremaine’s little sister,” Pax confirms.

Axel Fucking Tremaine.

I down half my whiskey in one swallow, welcoming the burn.

The man’s name conjures a mixture of disgust and fury.

Almost a year ago, he’d come to me, begging for a loan to finance some “can’t-miss opportunity.”

Because his father was a man I’d known and respected, I considered the idea.

Though my better judgment advised against it, I’d been persuaded.

He hasn’t made a single payment since.

“There’s more,” Pax says quietly.

I force myself to look back at the file. Police reports. Bank statements. And then…

Fucking hell.

No.

“He’s trying to sell her?” My grip on the glass tightens dangerously.

Pax nods grimly. “He’s in deep with some seriously bad people.”

Because a tic is ready to explode in Pax’s temple, I flip the page and see a candid shot of a Tessa I don’t recognize.

Her figure is a little fuller, and she’s less guarded, actually smiling. She’s wearing a sundress and floppy hat.

Then I scan the text.

In it, she’s referred to as a virgin, and bids to fuck her are being solicited. The opening minimum is one hundred thousand dollars.

The amount Tremaine owes me.

Rage, raw and primal, threatens to swallow me, and I shove the file folder, sending the contents scattering.

I’ve dealt with all manner of motherfuckers in my line of work, but this…this is a new low.

“What you didn’t read… Emiliano Sartori offered one hundred fifty to stop the auction so that he could claim her and marry her.”

“Fuck.” I stand abruptly and pace the length of my office like a caged animal. “No fucking way.”

Pax studies me carefully. “Is this just about Axel?”

Ready to lash out, I turn and snarl.

But the knowing look in Pax’s eyes stops me cold. There’s curiosity and compassion, not judgment. Regarding him, I counter, “Tell me you don’t feel it too.”

For a moment, he says nothing. Then he raises his hands in a placating gesture. “Just asking, boss.”

Somewhat mollified, I sink against the back of my chair. “You know damn well it’s more than Axel.” Which is why we’ve stopped by the bar at least three times a week, why we drive past the bar almost every night, why we follow her home.

Pax remains silent.

“She’s not like anyone else.” Women angling for money or prestige or both. But Nikki—Tessa—wants nothing to do with me. With either of us.

“Interesting.” He takes a drink.

I picture Tessa’s face. The wariness in her gaze, the determination in the set of her jaw. Her quiet strength and resolve.

“The idea of anyone hurting her…” I clench my fists, the rage bubbling up again.

Not happening. Not while there’s breath in my body.

I fix Pax with an intense stare. “What about you?”

“Yeah. There’s something about her.” He rolls his glass between his palms. “Vulnerability with a core of steel.”

My response to her is primal.

I stand and pace to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Tessa’s out there, alone.

And we know Tremaine won’t rest until he gets his sister back and whores her out. “He’s going to pay.” And he’ll never come near Tessa again.

Pax nods. “Consider it done.”

Then he turns to stride across the room.

“Pax,” I call out, stopping him at the door. “Have someone drive by the bar, see if her car is still there.”

“Planning a visit?” he asks, eyebrow raised.

I nod. “Soon. Very soon.”

Once I’m alone again, I return to my desk and press my palms together thoughtfully.

I’m going to make Tessa Tremaine ours.

And my plan starts now…