“This is Katherine,” he says from beside me as he slaps my ass.
My eyes water from the sting, but I remain solid. My spine stays straight. My hands stay cupped in front of me. Exactly the way he likes it.
“She’s my favorite girl here. Just look at her.” He sucks his lip between his teeth, and I fight the cold shiver that runs through me in response.
I don’t know how many men are at the table, but I feel their eyes on me—burning into any exposed skin. Everything in me screams at me to run, but escape is only an illusion here. I have no choice but to stand here and wait for whatever the fuck he has in mind for me.
“Now, gentlemen, what do you say? Do we have a deal?” he asks, his voice silky and low as his hands brush my ass, his touch a burning brand against the thin gossamer of my dress. It’s all for show. He’s reminding them who I belong to, but at the same time, he’s reminding me. Like I need any fucking reminding.
“If we’re paying that kind of money, Prez, we want to see exactly what we’re buying,” a voice from the other end of the table calls.
“Of course,” he replies from beside me.
His fingers slip underneath the strap of my dress, letting it fall to the floor. In one swift motion, I’m bare in front of them. Goosebumps ripple over my skin as the cool air hits, making my nipples pebble. I know they notice.
“Perfect, isn’t she? Took a long time to break her in,” he says as he pinches my nipple hard. Pain lances through me, but I don’t react.
The sound of bodies shifting forces my eyes to close. Chairs scrape softly against the floor. A beer bottle hits the table. Someone breathes heavily. My chest sinks.
“You have a deal,” a different voice says as a fist slams against the table, making my knees tremble.
“Wonderful.” I’m vaguely aware of the sound of him standing up. “Don’t embarrass me, Princess. You remember what happened last time,” he whispers against my ear. The proximity makes nausea roll in my stomach. His breath is warm and sour against my skin.
I give a subtle nod.
The heat from his body disappears as I’m left in the room alone with the men. The door shuts behind him with a heavy click.
Fingers brush over my arms as someone grips my waist. Another hand traces slowly down my spine. They’re inspecting me, like I’m livestock at a fucking auction.
I let my mind disappear. Away to the lake. Warm water lapping over my feet as crisp morning air fills my lungs…
“Kat,” Elias’ voice cuts through the memory. “Kat, look at me.”
The hands disappear, and the lake fades from around me.
Suddenly, Elias is in front of me, his hands hovering above my shoulders like he was just about to shake me. For a second, I wait for the hands to come back. But they don’t.
My lungs seize, and I suck in a half-breath that burns my throat.
“Stay with me, Kat,” he says as his hand rises to cup my jaw.
I shrink back from the contact, and he pulls back immediately.
“Kat,” Elias says again, quieter this time. Pain flashes hot over his face. His voice is steady, but his jaw is tight. His hands are curled into tight fists at his side.
“I—” my voice cracks as I struggle to get the words out.
Fuck. I hate this. Hate that no matter how far I run or how much time passes, my body still reacts like this. Hate that my past still clings to me like a cancer I can’t shake. I’ll never be okay, and it was stupid of me to think I would be. I’m a plague to everyone around me.
“I need some time,” I whisper, rising from my seat.
My legs feel heavy as I walk over to Freddie and bundle him into his carrier. I feel the weight of Elias’ gaze, following me around the kitchen.
“You think I’m like him.”
I freeze, only my eyes moving as they dart around the room to find his. His face is equal parts pain and rage. And right now, I don’t know which is directed at me.
“Whoever he is, it doesn’t matter. I built this city so men like him wouldn’t have a place in it. You are safe here, Kat. Safe with me.”
