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“This one is different.”
I shake the memory from my head. There’s no way. But the resemblance is uncanny.
“Do I know you?” I say, quavering.
His eyes narrow as he considers the idea. Bringing his finger to his chin, he taps twice before responding.
“Yesterday.” He grins. “Although I’m sure you dreamed of my dashing good looks overnight. Don’t worry; I don’t blame you.”
“That’s not it,” I say, shaking my head. “I’ve seen you before.”
“I’m afraid you’re mistaken,” Law drawls, seeming almost bored.
Julian appraises his brother with narrowed eyes, but eventually his features soften, and he turns to me, but I wonder. What is Lawrence Bellamy hiding? He brushed it off easily enough, but I saw the way he shifted in his seat. Julian sensed something was off too. His reaction is filed away for me to examine while I’m locked in my room later.
“How did you sleep?”
The attempt at idle chit-chat is strange. Why on earth should I tell him anything? If anything, I should demand he return me to my room. Or get on with the blood drain.
“About as well as anyone who’s been kidnapped would,” I snap, drawing a frown from him. Katina’s warning flits through my mind. Everything inside of me wants to yell, fight, demand to be released, but maybe she’s right. Maybe playing the game will help me out of here faster. He hasn’t shown any signs of hostility, and although he deserves every ounce of mine, I truly don’t have a death wish. It goes against every fiber of my being, but I decide to heed her warning.
I lower my eyes to the ground, trying to appear apologetic for my outburst.
“You don’t have to pretend with us, Marina. We know you’ve been through an awful ordeal, and I for one don’t expect you to embrace this situation immediately.”
My eyes snap up, caught off guard by his acknowledgment of my inner thoughts. He couldn’t possibly know that’s what I’m thinking, but I’m sure it’s not too hard to guess. He’s undoubtedly done this before.How many times? How many other girls?
“I’ll never embrace it,” I bite, deciding to be honest with him.
“Right now, I’ll accept that, but I hope you’ll give us a chance.”
He’s out of his mind.Never.
“This isn’t... a habit of mine. I don’t partake in the auction.”
“Then why did you this time?” I bite.
“Politics,” he offers, but doesn’t elaborate.
Screw his politics. Whether this was a one-time thing or a habit, attending for any reason makes him disgusting in my book.
He frowns, biting his cheek and looking over my face as if he can read my every thought.Well here’s one for you, buddy. You’re a dick.
Julian snorts, laughing as though he did, in fact, hear my thoughts.Oh my God. Is that possible?I’m internally freaking out, but doing everything possible to remain cold and unmoved.
“Marina, I asked Katina to bring you down so that you could dine with us.” He continues to chuckle, but at what I’m unsure.
“Is something funny, brother?” Law asks, with an amused smirk.
If Law isn’t reading my mind, then Julian isn’t. What the hell is he laughing at, then? Julian clears his throat and schools his features.Perhaps he’s clinically insane?As opposed to before—when he was just abducting girls? Who am I kidding? Insanity is his middle name.
He stands, showcasing an athletic body in a pair of grey chinos and a white Henley shirt. For a moment, my breath catches. He is incredibly attractive, and I hate that I think so. There is surely nothing appealing about evil. It’s only a glamour of trickery to fool unsuspecting prey. Serial killers have been known to lure their victims with their good looks, and I’d bet that’s Julian Bellamy’s superpower.No. I won’t be fooled.
“Why are you dressed like that,” I say, motioning to his clothes, “while I was forced into this damn torture device?” I snap, as I realize that Lawrence is also dressed normally.
“I was going to ask if we were having a ball I didn’t know about.” Lawrence’s eyes widen, looking me over. “You outdid yourself. And just for us?” he chuckles, and I glare.
“I didnotchoose this,” I bite through my teeth. “That... vampiress did this.”
