“Pardon?” I ask.
The grin he gives me is feral. “Now, it’s time to see how the game is really played.”
ChapterEight
MARIUS
Phoenix stands with her back to the stair post and gapes up at me, her pretty mouth falling slack.
Silly girl thought she had the upper hand when she was playing an entirely different game.
Her tongue darts out to swipe along her bottom lip, and I can’t help but track the movement. I want her on her knees, that tongue serving my cock before I fuck her tight little throat.
“What are you doing?” She tries to keep her voice from wavering, but it’s futile.
“By now, you should realize that blackmail isn’t an effective method of coercion when your opponent has an equal amount of incriminating material against you.”
Straightening, Phoenix tightens her lips. “I’m not the one who will get fired if these photos are made public.”
“But what would Gordon Gofannon say if he knew his precious daughter was sending pictures of her pussy to his enemies?”
Her eyes widen, and her mouth falls slack. “You don’t know my father—”
“Not personally, but I know why he suddenly went missing and how to reach him.”
The confidence in her features drains away, leaving only an impassive mask. It would be impressive if I wasn’t the one holding information she was desperate to keep secret.
“You’re bluffing.”
“Am I?” I ask. “In case you’re worried, he’s alive and well.”
The lack of change in her features tells me she’s either concerned about his well being or knows why he vanished. I can’t blame her if Gordon Gofannon is even one-tenth of a bastard like Crius.
“What do you want?” she asks.
I raise my hands, just to steeple my fingers, but she stiffens. “Let’s put this blackmail behind us,” I say. “You have pictures that will put a dent in my career, while what I hold against you could have far worse repercussions.”
“You won’t tell my dad?” she asks.
Something deep in my withered heart aches. I see a little bit of my younger self in her but not enough to stop my cock from swelling.
“I was never interested in using those pictures for anything but my own pleasure,” I say.
A blush blooms across her cheeks, and she lowers her lashes. Phoenix is a delicious combination of naughty and sweet, and I’m salivating for a taste.
“Eyes up.” I sharpen my voice.
Her gaze snaps back to meet mine, and heat rushes to my groin at her immediate obedience.
“You still have issues with finance,” I state.
Phoenix nods and bites down on her bottom lip.
“I now have an issue I think you could resolve.”
“What is it?” she replies, her voice breathy.
“I’m in want of an eager submissive.” I raise a hand toward her cheek but keep my fingers inches from her skin. “Watching you play with your pussy over video chat and hearing you climax has stirred something in me that cannot be appeased.”