Page 132 of Bid For Me
When we finally collapse together, sated and breathless, the collar around my neck feels like the perfect fit – a symbol of everything we’ve built and everything we have yet to explore.
CHAPTER FIFTY
Seb
The phone buzzesin my pocket, and when I glance at the screen, my jaw tightens. It’s an unknown number, but I justknowwho’s calling me. Of course, he couldn’t resist sticking his nose back into my life.
Sighing, knowing that he’ll just keep trying if I don’t answer, I swipe to answer but don’t bother with pleasantries. It’s better to just get it over with. “What do you want?”
His tone is as smooth as ever, oozing false charm. “Sebastian, we need to talk. There’s too much at stake for you to keep shutting me out.”
I snort, leaning against the bar and swirling the glass of bourbon in my hand. The rich, amber liquid catches the low light of the club. “What’s at stake? My life? My happiness? Oh, wait, you meanyourempire. Sorry, Father, but I don’t owe you a damn thing.”
“Don’t be so short-sighted,” he snaps, the mask slipping for just a moment. “This isn’t about me. It’s about the legacy you’re throwing away.”
He’s so clueless. Has he still not worked it out? That it was me and Asher Sullivan who worked together to bring him down. I couldn’t give a shit what happens to the company once the assets are released from the investigation. I don’t need or want it.
All I wanted was to be free of him, and to hurt him and make him pay in the most painful way possible for what he did to Elle. Unfortunately, as much as I’d like to kill him for hurting her, I know that the best way to hurt my father is through his pride. And the Sterling-Knight Diamond Industry has always been his pride and joy.
“My legacy is right where it belongs,” I say evenly, taking a sip of bourbon. “In the past. You can take it and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine. I have better things to do – like living a life you wouldn’t understand even if I spelled it out for you.”
“Sebastian—”
“Enjoy prison, Father. And don’t call again. You were dead to me the minute you hurt my wife. I just needed time to let everything fall into place. I wonder where the anonymous tip-off came from, hmm?”
I end the call before he can respond, tossing the phone onto the bar. The noise of the club hums around me, grounding me. This is my world now. The only legacy I care about is the one Elle and I are building together.
“Trouble in paradise?” Asher’s voice cuts through the din, and I glance over to see him strolling up, looking as self-assured as ever. He’s always had a knack for showing up when he’s least expected.
“Not at all,” I say with a wry grin. “Just old ghosts trying to haunt me.”
Asher takes a long look at me, his brow furrowing slightly before he smirks. “You look different, you know. Happier. More at ease.”
“Married life will do that to a man.”
He laughs, shaking his head. “Enjoying married life? You? Never thought I’d see the day. But I’ll admit, it suits you.”
“You should try it sometime,” I say, raising an eyebrow at him.
His gaze flicks across the room, landing on Faith, who’s deep in conversation with another Dom. There’s a flicker of something in Asher’s eyes – something rare and unguarded.
“I might just try that,” he murmurs, a smile tugging at his lips. “If I can get her to agree to a single date first.”
I chuckle, clapping him on the shoulder. “Good luck with that. Faith doesn’t strike me as the type to make things easy.”
“Neither did Elle,” he shoots back, grinning.
“And look at me now,” I say, setting my glass down. “Speaking of which, I have to go. It’s time for the demonstration.”
Asher whistles low. “The infamous Sebastian Sterling-Knight back on stage at last. This I have to see.”
I leave him at the bar and make my way to the stage. The lights are dimmed, the audience murmuring with anticipation as I step into the spotlight. The bench is already in place, and as I stand there, a hush falls over the room.
Then she steps out.
Elle.
The moment she enters, the air shifts. She’s wearingthatdress – the backless one she wore the first time she came here. It hugs her body like it was made for her, and the memory of that night flares hot and vivid in my mind.