She responded with a faint, tight nod before turning her attention to Aaron as he said, "Eleven million."
These so-calledmenwere a fucking joke. How dare they make bids like that for this woman? She was worth so much more. More money than I'd ever have in my life. Maybe more money than Forrest and Leif put together.
"Twelve million," Quinn said, his confidence not slipping slightly, or should I say arrogance? Aw hell, both.
"Thirteen million," Aaron said.
I glanced over at Forrest. He briefly frowned at Sable before a flicker of anger crossed his features. He'd come to the same conclusion I had. She was only here because they'd threatened her.
"Can I make a suggestion?" he drawled.
Benjamin looked pained. "Perhaps you can wait until we are done here."
"No, I don't think it can wait," Forrest said. "I suggest both of you make sure you have the money to pay before you bid any higher."
Aaron and Quinn both stared at Forrest before pulling out their phones and tapping on screens.
"What the fuck did you do?" Quinn growled.
"I didn't do anything," Forrest said. "I guessed you were overreaching. It seems I was right."
Quinn's face turned red. "This isn't… How did you…" He stammered.
"My son, Cassius, is very good with technology," Forrest said. "Various charities are very grateful for your generous donations."
I liked his version of a smug smile. It was a good look for him.
Noah was grinning now, and even Urban looked amused.
"How dare you interfere?" Benjamin roared, his hands in fists.
"How dare you try to sell your own daughter?" I retorted.
"Silas, Conrad," Benjamin snapped. "Noah, Urban."
Before they could move a muscle, Sable pulled the gun out of the top of her skirt, flicked off the safety, and aimed it at her father's chest.
"I think it'd be a good idea if nobody fucking moved," she squeaked.
CHAPTER 23
SABLE
How was my hand not trembling like crazy? Hell, I didn't know. I had a loaded weapon pointed at my own father.
Forrest, Leif, and Woody pulled out guns of their own, one toward Conrad and Silas, the others toward the rest of the people gathered in the room. Noah and Urban exchanged glances before moving to stand behind Benjamin's loyal goons.
"I told you being a bodyguard was safer," I said to Silas.
"Put down the gun, sweetheart," Dad said. "If you're not careful, you're going to get someone hurt."
"That's the idea, Daddy," I said with mock sweetness. "The thing is, that person isn't going to be me." Even if I didn't survive the next half hour, I wasn't going to let anyone hurt me ever again.
He scoffed. "Please, you have no idea how to use a gun."
"I thought he was intelligent," Woody said. "He's not even smart enough to know not to antagonize somebody with a weapon in their hands." I didn't need to look at him to know he was rolling his eyes. An epic eye roll, I bet.
Dad, or should I say, Benjamin, ignored him.
