Page 3 of Savage Ambition

I filled out the forms, disturbed by requirements for criminal and financial background checks.

“Are you seriously reading the fine print?” Jace had already finished and was browsing the employee profiles. “You’re not that big a nerd, Shaw.”

I ignored him. Given the digital paperwork, it surprised me the portfolios were a print book. Each photo had been carefully staged to showcase the “merchandise,” but their eyes held something cold and calculating.

“Did you see Nurse Laila on page eleven?” Jace held up his book and pointed at a woman in a provocative nurse outfit. It struck me as odd for an office theme, but maybe it was good for business to cater to some kinks outside of the typical business employee roles.

“I figured Secretary Dominique on page twenty-four was more your type.”

He flipped to that page, then catcalled the picture of the buxom blonde. “Damn, I can’t wait to come on her tits.”

Having decided, Jace began making suggestions for me. “What about Vice President Rodriguez on the next page?”

“She’s not my type.” None of the women were, but I didn’t want to get into that with him. The footnote that she was available for threesomes with Chief Financial Officer Sarah surprised me less than the small print warning that “additional fees apply for marking or bruising.”

I ignored Jace drumming his fingers on the table. When I reached the last page, my mouth dropped open.

“Damn, someone must have caught your eye.” Jace turned to the page in his book. “Get the fuck out! He looks just like that bastard from school. What a stupid name, though.”

Unable to comment, I stared at the man called President Dragon, who had a striking likeness to Dante Gennaro.

“Maybe it’s his older brother or a cousin?” Jace squinted at the picture. “God, I would never let that shithead live that down. Can you imagine if that was him, though? There’s no way, but come on!”

“Only one way to find out,” I said as I leaned over and pushed the intercom button.

Jace’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You’re going to spend two hours with some guy because he looks like that asshole? That’s super fucked-up, Shaw.”

“What can I say? I’m curious.”

“Once you get your answer, switch to a woman. You should reconsider the vice president. She was hot as hell.”

I said nothing about his assumption. Jace had made enough homophobic comments over the years for me to know better than to correct him.

Since moving to America after my parents died, staying in the closet was easier than losing a friend. I let Jace’s bigoted comments slide to keep the peace.

Before Jace could say anything further, a new woman walked into the room with the Japanese receptionist from earlier. “Have you reached a decision, sirs?”

“I think Secretary Dominique is the perfect birthday gift to unwrap,” Jace answered with a playful wink that made me uncomfortable.

“She’s available now. Please follow me.” The woman’s smile didn’t reach her eyes as she led Jace away.

That left me alone with the Japanese woman. Her gaze assessed me with clinical precision. “And you, sir?”

I forced the words out. “President Dragon, please.”

“He’s free to see you.” She led me to the elevator, pressing the button for the top floor.

The ride up was silent until the doors opened and revealed another opulent office hallway.

“It’s the third door on the right, sir,” she announced.

I hesitated, scanning the corridor. “Where are all the guards?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.

She smiled, the expression not quite reaching her eyes. “This floor doesn’t require them.”

The implication chilled me. I noticed the barely visible cameras recessed into the ceiling. Unlike the obvious security downstairs meant to intimidate, these were designed to be forgotten until it was too late.

I thanked her and walked toward my fate, taking a deep breath before knocking. The moment stretched before the door opened.