After Rebirth, I Became My Ex's Aunt-in-Law-Chapter 106: Do Not Touch the Merchandise

They had piled into a blacked-out Escalade. Aria took the front passenger seat. In the back, Damien sat like a king, radiating menace in his harness and leather pants. Beside him, Kai was taking selfies, the flash illuminating his glittery abs. Julian was huddled in the corner, trying to hide his face from the passing streetlights.

And Ken... poor Ken was lying across the very back row like a plank of wood, unable to bend his knees in the vinyl trousers.

"We’re here," Aria announced as the car pulled up to a sleek, glass-fronted building.

The Velvet Room wasn’t a seedy club with red lights and velvet ropes. It was a corporate fortress. The lobby was all beige stone, abstract art, and hushed efficiency. It looked like a hedge fund, or perhaps a very expensive clinic for people with too much money and not enough morals.

"Game faces," Aria commanded. She checked her reflection in the rearview mirror, adjusting her oversized sunglasses. "Remember: I am the shark. You are the bait."

They exited the vehicle.

The sight of them walking into the silent lobby was enough to make the security guard at the front desk drop his pen.

Aria strode in first, her white suit gleaming, the faux-fur coat trailing behind her like a royal train. She tapped her gold-tipped cane on the marble floor with every step.

Behind her came the circus.

Damien, shirtless and lethal. Kai, glittering and chaotic. Julian, looking like a gothic tragedy. And Ken, squeaking with every stiff-legged step.

The receptionist, a woman with a tight bun and a headset, looked up. Her eyes widened.

She froze, her gaze locking onto Damien’s bare, oiled chest. Her mouth fell open slightly as she took in the leather harness digging into his muscles.

Aria snapped her fingers sharply in front of the woman’s face.

"Eyes up, darling," Aria said.

"Welcome to The Velvet Room," the receptionist stammered, flushing a deep red. "Do you... do you have an appointment?"

"I don’t need an appointment," Aria said, leaning over the desk and lowering her sunglasses. "I have a portfolio. Tell your Director that Madam V is here to discuss a merger. And I brought samples."

She gestured behind her.

The receptionist looked at Damien again. She swallowed hard. She looked at Kai. She looked at Julian then Ken.

"I... I’ll see if he’s available," she whispered, picking up the phone. "Please, have a seat in the waiting area."

The waiting area was plush, filled with velvet sofas and low lighting. It was already occupied.

A few other "clients" were waiting—wealthy, older men and women who looked like they owned islands. They sipped sparkling water and murmured quietly.

When Aria’s entourage walked in, the conversation died.

Aria sat on a central sofa, crossing her legs. She snapped her fingers. "Boys. Positions."

Damien stood behind her right shoulder, his arms crossed, his biceps bulging against the leather straps of the harness. Kai took the left. Julian tried to hide behind a potted plant, but Aria pointed to the spot next to her knee.

"Heel, Julian," she ordered.

Julian whimpered but obeyed, standing stiffly by her side.

The silence stretched. The other clients were staring. Blatantly.

An older woman in a Chanel suit, dripping with diamonds, stood up. She walked over to them, her eyes fixed on Damien’s oiled chest.

"My goodness," the woman purred, reaching out. Her hand hovered inches from Damien’s abs. "I didn’t see him on the website menu. Is he new?"

Damien’s jaw tightened. He looked ready to snap her wrist.

Aria moved faster.

Thwack.

She slapped the woman’s hand away with a folded brochure she had picked up from the table.

"Don’t touch the merchandise, honey," Aria said coldly. "He’s not for rent. He’s the display model."

The woman recoiled, clutching her hand. "Excuse me? I am a Diamond Member! I can afford anything in this room!"

"You couldn’t afford the insurance on him," Aria scoffed. "Move along. You’re blocking his light."

Damien looked down at Aria. The corner of his mouth twitched. He leaned down, whispering in her ear.

"Display model?"

"Best in the show," Aria whispered back, winking.

On the other side of the sofa, a heavy-set man in a pinstripe suit was eyeing Julian. He licked his lips.

"How much for the sad one?" the man asked, pulling out a money clip. "I like them... broken."

Julian made a noise of pure terror.

"This one?" Aria asked. "Oh, he’s very expensive. A specialty import. Very high maintenance."

"I’ll give you fifty thousand for the night," the man offered.

"Fifty?" Aria laughed. "That wouldn’t even cover his therapy bill."

"A hundred thousand," the man pressed. "Cash."

Aria paused. She tapped her chin, looking at Julian speculatively.

Julian’s eyes bulged. He shook his head frantically. Don’t you dare.

"It’s a tempting offer," Aria mused loud enough for Julian to sweat. "He is good at... a lot of things."

"Aria!" Julian hissed.

"But I’m afraid I have to decline," Aria sighed, turning back to the man with a polite, regretful smile. "He’s still in training. He bites when he gets nervous. I wouldn’t want to offend a dignified gentleman like yourself with subpar service. Maybe in a few months, once we’ve broken his spirit completely."

The man looked disappointed but nodded. "Let me know. I like a biter."

He walked away.

Julian wanted to disappear. "I am going to need so much therapy."

"You’ll be fine," Aria said.

Just then, the double doors at the back of the room opened.

A slick man in a sharp suit walked out. He looked like a shark in human skin.

"Madam V?" he asked, scanning the room. His eyes landed on Aria, then drifted over her "products." He lingered on Damien. He smiled. It was a greedy smile.

"I’m Marcus. The Director. Why don’t you come back to my office? I think we have a lot to discuss."

Aria stood up. She adjusted her fur coat.

"Showtime, boys," she whispered.