Read The Song Bird (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) for Free Online Page B

certainly more than Henry Wells and William Fargo.” He smoothed down his coat with his hands. He was looking at her as if he expected her to understand what he was implying. “In fact, I’m very close in negotiating with the US Treasury to organize the banking system here in San Francisco.”
    She shook her head. “I’m sorry, I don’t know Mr. Naglee or the other two gentlemen.”
    “Of course, business is such a tedious subject for females.”
    “Excuse me?” she asked sharply. “I assure you I can understand the intricacies of the business world, Mr. Behr. It’s only that I’ve arrived in San Francisco two days ago, so my knowledge of who’s who is slightly lacking.”
    She saw Ellis flash a quick smile out of the corner of her eye, but when she turned to look directly at him, he was back to being sober and blank faced.
    “Or course,” Eugene Behr said, his tone patronizing. “I only meant someone as beautiful and delicate as you should never have to overly worry herself on the subject of money matters.”
    But Avilon had had enough.
    “Is there something I can do for you, Mr. Behr?” she asked curtly. “I’ve had a long day and wish to be left alone.”
    The man looked taken aback for a moment. Annoyance flashed through his eyes as his mouth compressed into a flat line. “I’ve come here as a favor to you, so shut your mouth.”
    She reeled back from the cold hauteur that had suddenly descended in his voice. The affable businessman he had presented moments before suddenly vanished. His personality had flipped so quickly it took her a moment to digest it.
    “You’ll have to go now,” she ordered, grasping the door firmly and trying to close it.
    His hand shot out, holding the door back. “I have a proposition for you,” he said. “And you will listen and accept me, because I can offer you more as my personal property than you can for whoring for that bastard Eli Masters.” There was something dark and menacing in his words, and they sent a shiver down her spine.
    “I am no one’s property,” she told him icily. “But if I decided to be, then Eli Masters seems a far more enticing choice than you. Now get the hell out of here.”
    Before she could blink, he grabbed her wrist, squeezing so hard she let go of the door and almost fell her to her knees in pain. Dimly she saw Ellis trying to pry Eugene Behr’s fingers off her, but she was focused mainly on the black rage darkening his features.
    “Do you know who I am? I’m going to be one of the richest men in this godforsaken town. Hell, probably in all of California. And you’re just another two-bit whore from Louisiana. Don’t think I don’t have the means or the balls to make you disappear to get what I want. And, Miss Avilon, I always get what I want.”
    “Let her go, you son of a bitch!” Jason’s voice rasped from behind them.
    A second later, her wrist was free, and she slunk to the ground, cradling it as she saw Jason grab Eugene Behr by the shirtfront and slam him into the wall. Gone was the good-natured, easygoing seducer. In his place, Jason Braddock was all muscle and avenging fury. He slammed the gaunt Mr. Behr against the wall two more times before yanking him close.
    “You touch her again, Behr,” Jason warned in a deadly cold tone, “and I’ll kill you.”
    Instead of cowering, however, Eugene Behr laughed. “Money talks, Braddock. And it won’t even take that much to kill you or Masters. And then I’ll have her back, as well as your so-called club bank.”
    “You’re done here,” Jason informed him. “Consider your membership revoked.”
    “You can’t bar me! I’ve paid my dues.”
    “Your money will be refunded. Ellis, get him the fuck out of my sight.”
    Ellis grabbed Behr’s arm and hauled him away.
    “You’ll pay!” Behr yelled. “Let go of me! I want my property! Do you hear me, whore?”
    Jason pulled her into his arms as he kicked the door closed with his foot. He walked to the bed and sat