“How much would that kind of entertainment cost me?” I asked.
He considered me once again. “A thousand dollars.”
I laughed. He was one of the few people out here on a weeknight still hoping to find a customer at two a.m. No way in hell was he making a thousand dollars for a quickie in the car, but I liked his combination of boldness and shyness. I wanted to touch the pale skin he showed off and see the imprint of my hands on his hips as I held him down and fucked him. I didn’t have to pay him. I could easily force him to come with me so I could protect my identity. I needed to make sure he didn’t have a chance to extort money from someone else for the information he held, and no way in hell did I want the Landrys to lay a hand on him. I clenched my fists at the thought. He was mine, and if I needed to part with some of my money to keep him, then I would.
Movement caught my attention. I glanced toward the street and saw Connor, one of our guards, pull up against the opposite curb about a block down. He gave me a nod when I looked his way. Perfect. I had someone watching my back now.
“Get in the back,” I told the alluring boy.
He took a step away from the car, looking nervous. “I want payment first.”
“Get in the back seat. Now.” He turned, and I thought he might make a run for it. He wouldn’t get far, but I’d rather not have to chase him. I reached out and grabbed his arm. “You’ve already gotten two hundred from me, which is more than you’d get from any other customer you’d pick up here. Please me, and you’ll get two hundred more.”
He bit his lip, glanced down the street, then back toward me. He looked so young in that moment, so innocent. He didn’t belong there. Someone was going to eat him alive, fuck him, kill him, and toss him in a dumpster. I was not going to let that happen.
“Backseat. This is your last chance.”
“Or… what?”
“You won’t like the consequences.”
“I… I appreciate the offer, but I think I need to go home.”
I loosened my grip on his arm. “I’m not going to hurt you as long as you obey. That’s a lot better than I can say for whoever might come along next.”
He studied me as if trying to assess whether I was lying.
“You came to me. You’re mine now.” His eyes widened, and I watched the muscles of his throat work as he swallowed.
“I… I can’t get in back if you don’t let go of me.”
I found myself reluctant to stop touching him, which was stupid. I was about to put him on his knees and have his mouth around my cock. I didn’t think he was going to run now. Because while there was still fear in his eyes, there was something else there too. He was interested, not just because he needed money. Slowly, I released my grip on his arm.
He moved just as slowly, keeping his eyes on me as he reached for the handle on the back door. He opened it and slipped inside the car. I turned to look at him.
“Isn’t it easier to talk with both of us in the car?”
His eyes were wide, but he nodded. How many times had he done this before? Had he been scared every time? Had anyone cared? I wanted to track down all those men and snap their necks.
I glanced back toward Connor. He was alert and watchful, and Sully, another member of my security team, sat in the passenger seat. Sure I was covered, I climbed into the back seat and the boy scooted over to make room for me.
“What’s your name?” I brought one leg up onto the seat and ran my hand over the hard ridge of my cock.
The boy watched my hand.
“I asked you a question.”
His head snapped up as if he were coming out of a trance. No, I hadn’t been flattering myself. He wanted this. I could make him into an incredible submissive.
“My name?” The words were strangled. “Anything you want it to be.”
I raised my eyes to his and didn’t say a word. He shivered, letting me know he felt my displeasure.
“Valentine.”
“No,” I said.
He sighed. “Henri. It’s Henri.”
“You’re going to suck my cock, Henri.”
“I… Yes, sir.”
“Good. I like when you show me respect.”
His hands went to my fly. The fact that they were shaking only made me harder. I liked power. I liked knowing I made men afraid, and I liked Henri. I stroked my fingers along his cheek, then cupped his chin and tilted his face up. “Unless you defy me, I won’t hurt you. I’m an asshole, and I’m used to getting my way, but I’m fair.”