Chapter 3 3

Ace Lincoln's POV.

It's been a week since that jerk was supposed to pay me back the money he owes. Two years ago, he came to me broke and desperate. He wanted to get his life straight and open a nightclub, so I loaned him a million bucks. I didn't think twice about it-it's what I do for a living. I'm a loan shark. I give out money, but I charge crazy high interest on everything.

This time, though, he wasn't offering cash. He was offering his daughter instead.

My collectors came to me that night. They said when it was time to collect the loan plus interest, he wouldn't pay.

When I learned his club was making tons of money every night from those gambling tables, I got so mad I almost wrecked my office.

"Then kill him," I yelled. I was totally out of control with anger.

But my right-hand man stepped in to calm me down. "Mr. Ace," he said, "he wants to pay, but not with money."

I tilted my head, wondering what could be worth more than cash. "With what, exactly?"

He shrugged. "He wants to talk to you face-to-face about it. He promised if you don't like the deal, he'll pay back your money plus interest."

I laughed it off. "Okay, let's go scare the hell out of him right now."

I planned to walk into his nightclub and punch him out. But I decided to hear him out first. I have a short temper, but not when it comes to making money. I used to collect antiques, so I know how to spot a good deal and when to wait for the best one.

I was in a rush, so I took my limo. My bodyguards came with me, like always. We pulled up to his nightclub. I stormed inside, stomping my feet in anger. I held back from killing him or shutting down his damn club before he could even speak.

I had helped him before because he used to be one of my most loyal guys. That was the only reason I waited two years to ask for my money.

I burst into his office and slammed the door. He jumped up from his chair. Some cheap woman was already on his lap. I snapped my fingers. "Get the fuck out now," I ordered her.

She was in such a hurry she didn't fix her clothes. She ran out half-naked, just in her underwear.

Yeah, I'm well-known in the underground world. If I'm not about to kill the person in front of me, I don't waste time talking.

I scratched my chin, walked over, and grabbed him by the collar. "Where the fuck is my money?"

He hiccuped and gave a stupid smile. "Calm down, Mr. Ace. Sir... I have a great deal for you. I think you'll like it."

I gripped his jaw hard, squeezing until it almost popped. I gritted my teeth. "I don't have time to waste. Say it now."

He coughed and waved for me to let go of his neck. He cleared his throat and took deep breaths. Then he said, "My daughter."

I tilted my head and snorted. "You trying to trick me? What am I supposed to do with your daughter?"

He pulled a photo from his wallet and handed it to me. "Look. She's beautiful. And she's never been touched."

I couldn't describe what I felt right then. I'd never had a virgin before. I knew I was cruel and tough. I'm a badass killer with no mercy for anyone. But I don't like forcing women or hurting them. And she was a gorgeous teenage virgin.

I raised an eyebrow. "You think your daughter is worth two million dollars?"

"She's a good girl," he said, shaking and shivering.

I figured he had no more words.

I leaned in, crossed my arms, and thought for a long time. "If that's true, why are you selling her?"

He shrugged coldly. "Why not?"

I cursed. "You're a fucking jerk of a father. Okay, deal. I'll take her."

He answered fast and excited. "She turns eighteen in a few days. You can come get her."

I held up my hand to stop him. "No, not me. Don't worry. My men will handle it."

I stood up and walked out. My guys followed. I took the photo and kept staring at her face. It was like I was already in love with her, even though I'd never met her. I'd never felt anything like that before. Seriously, never.

I sighed to myself. Spending two million on a woman was dumb. I love money more than my own life. That's why my right-hand man asked me as we left, "Sir, are you serious? We could sell her other ways, like at an auction. She's not worth that much."

I turned to him. "I want her. On her birthday night. I'm fascinated."

I was. Seriously. No idea why.

Even when I went to sleep, I kept her photo with me, like a teenager. It felt like I wanted to hug and kiss her. I could barely wait to talk to her.

The next morning, I got up and started handling things. I told my guys to update the furniture in my room. Make it a comfy bedroom. And I quickly ordered a painting of her to give her.

Yes. I wanted to hang a big photo of her right in the center of the room.

I was scared that after I met her, held her, and had her under me, I'd lose interest.

I'd never been into virgins much. I'm rough and tough, but I'm not a sex addict. I only do it when I feel like it, nothing more.

My dick doesn't control me. I control everything and everyone around me. But maybe it was because she was new and exciting, like a new doll or toy. That's why I wanted this big adventure so bad.

I thought that way.

Until my men drugged her and brought her to my bedroom.

I couldn't hold back when I saw her angel-like face and the bruises on her arms and back.

She slept like a sweet angel. Like a little kid. Hopeless, helpless, and vulnerable.

I stepped back and closed the door gently. "Who did that? I said I wanted her awake."

One of my men said it hard. "She was crying. I couldn't take it. She said her real dad tried to rape her and-"

In rage, I covered his mouth and clenched my teeth. "Get him now. Tie him up and take him to the torture room. I'll deal with him in the morning. But right now, no one interrupts us."

They left. Then I went back to the room. I didn't undress fully. I just sat in the chair I put in front of her. I waited for her to open her eyes.

I sighed and stood up. I carefully took off her clothes one by one so I wouldn't scare her. I left her in her underwear to see her better. Then I covered her with the bedsheets. I didn't hate her body. I just couldn't touch her. She was so beautiful, like a princess. I wanted to treat her right.

My guys were already working on her info. They'd been gathering everything about her since I made the deal with her dad. Days of work.

I waited too long. She was sleeping deep, so I took a quick shower. I hadn't slept all night and was worn out.

To relax my body and mind, I went to the shower. I sat in the tub with water a bit warmer than room temp.

Her purity caught my eye. She was special. But there was a big age gap. She was just 18, and I was 30.

That was a huge difference. Twelve years is a lot. I didn't know if it would be easy to treat her like a lady. I didn't know if she could meet my needs and fire up my strong desires. But I knew I liked her. I wanted her to be mine and live with me forever.

It was my phone ringing. I remembered I left it on the nightstand by the bed. I jumped out of the tub fast to get it. I didn't want to scare her. I was still naked except for the towel around my waist.

When I got close to the bed, I saw her staring at me in shock. Her eyes jumped between me and the big painting of her on the wall. I figured she panicked when she saw she was undressed in a strange bed.

"Mila," I whispered soft, moving closer to comfort her. She pulled the covers around her and asked, "Who are you? Why am I here? Why is there a painting of me on the wall? And why don't you have clothes on?"

I sighed. "Your father sold you to me. But don't be scared."

She said something shocking. "You don't scare me at all. But I've never seen a naked handsome man like you before."

"What!"