Page 5 of Valentine’s Billionaire Auction

Kaira glanced back. She looked nervous, like she would give anything not to be stuck with the three of us. “They should start calling you out in about ten minutes,” she answered. “I think. I don’t know. I just got told to gather all of you back here.”

“Was someone worried we weren’t going to follow through?” I shook my head.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. I was told to wrangle you.”

“I’m not sure I’ve ever been wrangled before. Were you going to use one of those electric cattle prods?”

“A what?” She gasped, looking horrified.

I sighed and shook my head. “Never mind.”

“I’m only using the word I was told. I would never shock anyone.”

“Consider me wrangled.”

She sighed, like she was relieved. “Then I guess I did my job.”

“Unless I make a break for it.”

I saw the fear in her eyes. “Please don’t.”

I smirked. “Wouldn’t dream of it. I’m sure I would be wrangled back here. Potentially with the prod.”

She frowned like she couldn’t decide if I was joking or not.

I sighed and pulled out my phone again to scroll through the news. I wasn’t necessarily reading anything but just wanted something to do. The other two were carrying on about their yachts and when they had last been in Saint Tropez. I hated the snobbery. I had grown up in the world and was very familiar with the typical behavior of people who believed their financial status elevated their humanity. I hated it more because I knew there was a time when I would have joined right in, not thinking twice about it.

Kaira nervously glanced past me toward the two boasting men. “I should make sure they know the schedule,” she murmured, more to herself than to me, but made no move to interrupt their conversation. “I don’t think they heard me while I was explaining.”

“Let them talk,” I said low enough so only she could hear. “They seem to enjoy hearing their own voices.”

She gave a small, appreciative chuckle and her shoulders relaxed slightly. “Not you?”

“I prefer silence.”

“Sorry,” she said. “I’m sure they’ll be calling you soon.”

“Stop apologizing.”

“Sorry, what?”

“That. Stop apologizing. What are you apologizing for?”

Kaira blinked, unsure how to respond. “I… I guess it’s just habit. When you’re used to making sure everything goes smoothly, you tend to apologize for anything that might not be perfect.”

I nodded, understanding the predicament of someone who constantly felt the need to prevent any ripples. “Your job doesn’t seem easy.”

Her lips twitched into a wry smile. “I’m just the setup team. I was supposed to be out of here already. I got caught gawking at all the fanfare and got roped into handling you all.”

“Is this a punishment?” I was genuinely curious.

“Um, no. I don’t know. I don’t think so.”

“But you don’t know for sure?”

I was making her uncomfortable, which actually made me want to laugh. She looked like she wanted to be anywhere else but in front of me. I was used to people trying to get into my orbit, not away. It was a refreshing change.

“I should check and see when they need you,” she murmured and hurried away.