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“I need to hear you verbally acknowledge the rules.”
“I understand, Solomon. Let’s get this over with. Sunrise cannot come fast enough.”
I raise my chin and stand when he gestures for me to rise. I am a woman of my word and I will make sure my safe word never leaves my lips. Oliver will already hunt me down and kill me for this betrayal, though he betrayed me first. I can’t saddle him with the bill or maybe I should.
I’m led down a dark hallway with more black paint and silver trim. At least the light fixtures and carpet are nice. We pass several doors all painted silver with numbers centered on each one.
Solomon opens the door to one and I note the number in passing.
Seven-one-three.
I’m led to the middle of the room that thankfully doesn’t follow the color scheme of the rest of Ritual. Cream colors cover an enormous bed and there are beautiful flowers on a table in the center. My signed contract is placed beside the large vase holding three dozen yellow roses. On either side of the bed are large lamps with the lights turned down low. There is a cabinet opposite the bed that probably holds coats? I don’t know and before I can ask a strip of cloth is tied over my eyes.
“You will wait here until your buyer joins you.”
“Wait.” I throw a hand out but come back empty-handed. “What is my safe word?”
There’s a pause, and when Solomon speaks, he’s already across the room. “Jewel.”
My throat closes. Of all the words.
My heart hits the floor and shatters as I’m left to wait alone.
CHAPTER 5
OLIVER
We stand in a dark room as I secretly watch my wife willingly sign herself over to who she thinks is a complete stranger.
A door opens and closes behind me.
“She signed. My side of this deal is done.”
I stay silent for a moment and let the words settle in my thoughts before I speak.
As soon as blue ink from her pen dried on the paper, I felt a primal charge run through my veins. Similar to the moment she placed her name on our wedding certificate, a surge of victory took over. Possession. Need. It goes soul deep, and it takes a lot of effort to stay rooted to this spot and not run after Amethyst.
Mine. I own Amethyst, and tonight I get to reclaim her for a second time.
I’m unapologetic for doing what I had to do in order to keep her safe. I would do it again without hesitation, but I will admit, I’m afraid I’ve killed the love my wife has for me. Why else would we be here?
“I saw.” My tone is dry and distant.
Samuel and I don’t turn when the door opens and closes behind us. The reflection in the two-way mirror reveals the face of the headmistress as she moves deeper into the viewing room and makes her way to my side.
“She’ll be taken to your room and left blindfolded as you asked. The other items you requested have been placed in the closet as well.”
I smile.
“Does she suspect you did more than simply send me an invitation to the auction?”
“Do you doubt my acting abilities?”
My hands are in my pockets and Samuel is beside me witnessing the betrayal of my wife in full color. She could claim the use of her safe word and be out of here. I hoped she would make all this that simple. It would prove she only did this to get my attention, but now I’m left to see this through.
“Carmen.”
“Oliver.”
