The Auction Game

ENZO

“Five million dollars?” Lauren whispered catching my attention as she sat beside me.

Her hands her hands curled into fists in her lap. She was trying to appear calm, but I knew better. Was it because of her ex-husband? I had seen what that bastard had done to her. How he had taken everything she had built and left her with nothing. Now, he sat across the room with his whore on his arm, acting as if none of it mattered. If he was here on behalf of the Riccardi family, there was no way I was going to let him leave with the painting.

“Five million dollars,” The auctioneer announced.

“Ten million,” Sylas said without hesitation, making the crowd gasp.

He had doubled the price without hesitation which confirmed my suspicion. He was here for the Riccardi family. My eyes darted to Lauren and for the first time, I noticed how elegant and sexy she looked in the red dress she was wearing. Her silky vibrant red hair was styled in loose waves that cascaded over her shoulder. And that dress. The dress she is wearing was beyond beautiful, with slits by the side exposing her beautiful legs.

Focus.

“ Eleven million,” I said lazily, keeping my face unreadable as all eyes turned to me, including Lauren’s.

The room fell silent, and I could see everyone staring at me, including Sylas, as he studied me. It was obvious he had not been expecting competition from me so I knew he was going to fall into the trap.

“Twenty million,” Sylas countered immediately making me look up. His eyes held a silent, daring gaze, making me chuckle.

He had no idea who he was messing with.

“Forty million,” I said watching as everyone’s breath hitched in the room.

I turned to stare at Sylas watching as his confidence faltered for a second. It was brief but I had caught it. Lauren’s sister, Taylor, silently tugged on Sylas’s arm as if warning him to stop, but he shrugged her off. From what Lauren had told me, Sylas was a man with a lot of pride. Bastardó didn’t know when to back down from a losing battle.

I opened my mouth, wanting to push even further when I felt Lauren’s hand suddenly touch my leg under the table. My eyes turned to her immediately feeling the effect of her touch as it made my blood alive.

“What are you doing?” She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Fifty million. What do you say now?” Sylas asked confidently chuckling.

A smile formed on my lips as I saw him. How did the Riccardi family get such a useless associate?

The auctioneer stared at me, and I silently nodded, expressing my defeat. Sylas beamed as he saw me. His smug expression shone as the auctioneer cleared his throat.

“Is that the last bid? Going in 3….2…1. The painting has been sold to Mr. Freeman!” The auctioneer announced.

Lauren got up from her seat immediately leaving as Sylas stood up basking in his victory while others clapped for him. Poor fool. He had no idea that he had fallen into my trap. Watching as he continued to laugh, I picked up my drink about to raise it to my lips when Stefano, my most trusted Captain approached my table.

“Boss, everything is ready.” He said nodding his head.

“And the governor?” I asked.

“He’s awaiting your orders,” Stefano said smirking as I swirled the amber liquid in my glass before taking a slow sip.

My eyes darted to Sylas as he sat down whispering something to Taylor who immediately darted her eyes to me but I pretended not to notice. Lauren’s earlier exit had not gone unnoticed and as much as I wanted to go after her, I forced myself to remain calm. From the corner of my eye, I watched as Taylor got up heading in the same direction as Lauren had gone earlier.

“Good,” I murmured. “Let’s give Mr. Freeman a night to remember.”

Stefano chuckled under his breath and slipped away, vanishing into the crowd like a shadow. Meanwhile, Sylas turned to me with an arrogant smile as he raised to me. I smirked, lifting my glass in return.

“Mr. Enzo, I didn’t think you’d give up without a fight. What? Did you think I wouldn’t call your bluff?” Sylas asked as he walked up to me staring at me with disgust.

I let out a low chuckle, swirling the liquid in my glass before taking a slow sip. “A bluff?” I repeated, tilting my head as if amused by his ignorance. “Oh, Mr. Freeman, you give yourself too much credit.”

“I have done my own research about you. I thought you were powerful but you’re nothing but the CEO of a struggling company. For your own good, you better not mess with me.” Sylas said arrogantly.

“What are you doing, Sylas? Stay away from Enzo,” Lauren said, her voice echoing and catching my attention.

My eyes narrowed as I saw Lauren confront Sylas. This was the first time a woman had stood up for me.

“Stay away from Enzo? What? Are you defending him now that you’re f**king him, you slut? I can’t believe” Sylas spat making me clench my hand into a fist.

“Be careful of what you say, Sylas” I warned, my voice deadly calm.

From the corner of my eye, I watched as Stefano stood up, his hand resting slightly on his gun. As much as I wanted to shoot several bullets through his skull, the governor’s house was not the most ideal place to make a ruckus and reveal my identity as the Mafia boss of the Santoro family. Shaking my head, I signaled Stefano to remain calm.

“Not everyone is as shady and pathetic as you, Sylas,” Lauren said, her voice bold as she held Sylas’s gaze.

The tension in the room became high and all eyes were suddenly on us as the music stopped playing. Suddenly, Taylor sneaked up from behind Lauren shoving her. My eyes widened as I saw Lauren fall forward while Taylor stood on her dress. Pressing the button on the armrest of my wheelchair, I moved quickly wrapping my arm around her and pulling her towards me.

“Aaah!” Lauren gasped as she fell onto my lap.

Lauren clutched my shoulders, her breath warm against my neck as the room around us stood still. I could feel the quick rise and fall of her chest, the way her fingers dug into my suit jacket as she steadied herself. Her eyes met mine and suddenly, all I could think about was one thing.

Her.