THE DON'S CAPTIVE MISTRESS

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HAZEL

“Yes, I was,” Mac says without shame. Then, turning to Axel, he continues, “Come on, Morelli. you’ve got so many women around you, and I really, really like this one. So, what do you say? How much can I pay for her.....for the night?”

My eyes narrow. My heart stops.

He did not just say that!

I look at Axel, waiting for him to correct it, to say something, anything, but his smile stays perfectly in place.

“How many figures are we talking?” Axel asks. His tone is calm. Controlled.

Mac chuckles. “Tell me your price.”

Axel’s mouth curls slightly but he doesn't respond.

“Although, you know.....” Mac says, “we could exchange. I could give you a night with my wife… and you could let me be with your mistress over here.”

My gaze snaps toward him again. He is ready to swap his wife for a night? Who are these people!?

And did he just call me a Mistress?

Why doesn’t Axel correct him? I’m not his mistress. And I’m not up for auction.

Aren’t I?

Because now… now I’m really starting to get worried and question the reason why I’m here.

I start questioning What all of this is.

What I am.

Axel finally answers Mac, still smiling, his gaze on Mac and still not looking at me.

“I already slept with your wife, Mac..... For free. So why don’t you offer me something that’s actually worth something?”

Mac laughs. Axel just insulted his wife..... to his face and he laughs?

“All right,” Mac says. “What about half a million?”

“I think she’s worth,” Axel says, pausing as if tasting the words, “about a million...probably more.”

“That’s a lot for just one night, Axel.... what? Is her p***y made of gold?”

Axel smiles, but the smile doesn't reach his eyes as he watches the people around us.

“You can have her for the whole weekend,” Axel replies without missing a beat.

Mac doesn’t even flinch. “It’s just money,” he finally says after a few seconds.

“Then why don’t we get this over with, wire yhe money." Axel says.

"Now?" Mac questions.

“You said you wanted her, didn’t you? I’ll let you take her tonight.”

“Axel!” I snap, my voice cracking through the air. I can’t take this anymore.

But Axel doesn’t even hear me. Or maybe he does—maybe he’s just ignoring me.

He heard me. He’s just ignoring me.

“Uh, Axel… come on, let’s get serious,” I mutter under my breath, as panic starts rising inside me.

“Alright, fine. Let me call my assistant over. You have, you drive a hard bargain, Mr Morelli.”

“You know what they say,” Axel murmurs, his tone smooth, almost playful. “I’m a businessman.”

I can’t help myself, my hand shoots out, pinching his arm lightly.

“Axel! What are you doing?” I hiss.

I know he holds power over me and he can do on whatever the hell he wants.... I just never expected this.

He doesn’t even turn toward me. And I feel like breaking down. When Mac leaves and he finally does glance at me, that’s when my voice rises, breaking out:

“Axel! What are you doing? Is that why you asked me to come here? So you could pimp me out? Is that why you took me to your house? So you could sell me like goods? Is that what you’re doing? Selling me!”

Tears sting my eyes, hot and sudden, but I fight them. I cannot cry here. Not now, not Infront of them.

Because Axel isn’t the devil himself. He’s cold. Ruthless. Arrogant. Dangerous. He’s the definition of bad news. But given all his darkness.....I never would have expected this.

I start thinking Maybe that’s why he’s never come onto me. Maybe he had bigger plans all along… like this.

I can’t breathe.....

“What are you doing?” Axel snaps, his hand tightening around my waist.

Pain shoots through me as he pinches, holding me in place. My body wants to rebel, but I’m trapped. I’m back in this moment, surrounded by all these people, under his control. I can’t loose it and faint, can’t embarrass him, not here.

Anger flashes across his face, but when Mac return, Axel’s expression shifts. That mask he always wears slides back into place. Calm. Composed. Untouchable.

Mac smiles at Axel before winking at me. Axel glances at him briefly, then speaks:

“You got my money....”

Mac cuts in, “So, where can I send the money?”

Axel gives him an account. Mac nods and sends the money while I stand there frozen, Axel’s hand still pinching my waist, reminding me who holds the power.

Finally, Axel relaxes slightly. “Okay. I’ve got it. Pleasure doing business with you.”

Mac stretches out his hand toward me. I stare at it like it’s a snake’s fangs inches from my face.

“Come on. Let’s go,” he urges.

I don’t move.

Axel’s arm releases me, his touch gone.

“Come here,” Mac presses. “I already paid for you. Let’s go.”

Still, I don’t move. I turn back to Axel, desperate.

“Axel, please… please don’t do this. You’re not doing this.... please!”

He doesn’t respond. His hands slide into his pockets. Nonchalant. Unfazed. Immovable.

Mac grows impatient. “Talk to your w***e. Tell her to follow me so we can get out of here. I’ve got a flight at midnight, and it won’t hurt if she starts paying her dues now.”

Axel doesn’t answer him either. He watches both of us, bored, like we’re nothing more than a passing inconvenience in his night.

And I feel my own helplessness at this moment.

“Come here,” Mac continues, finally losing patience, his arm reaching for mine. He holds tight and starts pulling me away.

I turn toward Axel. “Axel, Please...."

"I think that’s enough,” Axel says,

The sound of his command and his voice surprise both me and Mac.

“What are you saying?” Mac asks with a frown.

“This conversation is better done outside,” Axel replies, his voice calm, measured, as he walks forward.

I follow him, cautious, tense, but Axel says to me. “Nico will keep you company. Stay here.”

Axel walks away with Mac, disappearing into the crowd.

Then, suddenly, Nico is at my side. That s**t-eating grin on his face makes my blood boil.

“Why are you smiling like that?” I snap, my voice shaking.

My body is on fire, but I feel numb.... I just got sold.

Axel just auctioned me like I was nothing but an object, and I’m furious....not just at him, but at everyone associated with him.