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34 | A Stud in Training

You'll learn sooner or later, love. You'll learn exactly how much I'm willing to do to get you.

"Carter has requested your presence." I turned to see Ricky standing next to Euphrates, eyeing us with slight disdain. A calm smile worked its way across my lips and I nodded at him.

"Where can we find him?"

He blinked at me, seemingly confused. "We?"

"Yes?" I motioned between Euphrates and me. "Us."

"He doesn't want to see Euphrates. He wishes to only speak with you, Devani." Ricky reached for me, "I'll take you to him."

Euphrates grasped his hand, stopping his progress. "She isn't going anywhere with you, especially without me." Pain crossed Ricky's face, it crumpled continually for a moment.

"Fine." He muttered, vehemently yanking his arm away. "Both of you, follow me."

He swung around and headed towards the main staircase at MPD Headquarters. The party was in full swing, but luckily no one made a grabby dive for me under Euphrates' thick arm. His frame cocooned mine, keeping me partially hidden as we marched through the thickets of people to the foyer and then, up the stairs.

As we cleared the last step, standing on the third floor, more security appeared. They latched onto Euphrates, forcing his frame away from mine as Ricky grabbed my arm to pull me down the hall.

"No!" I screamed, but was quickly silenced by Ricky's rough hand and further pulled from Euphrates. He released me only when I bit down on his hand. "Let him go!"

"The invitation was only for you, Devani." He grumbled, still roughly pulling me down the hall to Carter's office. "You will not be harmed and neither will he, well, if you cooperate."

My face twisted, "This was nothing but a trap!"

"Speak with Carter, Devani." Ricky reasoned, stopping at a set of double oak doors. Carter Mize was spelled out in a shiny gold nameplate. It glinted in the low light. "You may like what he wishes to discuss."

Suddenly he grasped the handle, yanked open the door and threw me inside. I landed on a thick Persian rug, hard. I pushed my hands out around me, trying to latch onto anything and stand.

"Let me help you." Startled, I swung my gaze upward to find Carter. His hand was held out in front of me, offered freely.

Scoffing, I lifted my frame upwards, spurning his offered palm. Suspicious of his intentions, I made my way to the other side of the office, frowning as memories of what transpired here hit me full force. He had redecorated, but the horrible activities that happened here - they were still happening.

"Oh my... o-oh m-my... Carter!" My hands came up to cover my face and I tripped backward, falling into a chair. "W-what... what are they doing?"

He casually turned to where my gaze had fallen. A wall of clear glass separated us. Giving Carter privacy as well as the trio of men currently occupying the next room. A smile lifted his face briefly as he turned back to me.

"A new Stud."

"What could he have done to earn treatment such as this?"