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Suddenly, Arran Maxton is filling one of the darkened doorways, his presence instantly permeating the space. My lips part on an intake of breath as the intensity of his gaze touches me, damning and hard and laced with predatory interest.
Without taking his stare off me, he says, “I did. One million for the girl.”
Number sixty huffs as he adjusts his tie, his feathers visibly ruffled. But he does nothing. Says nothing. Just spins in his seat and stares straight ahead.
“Number one bids one million,” the auctioneer says. “One million going once. Going twice… Sold! To bidder number one!”
Our eyes are locked as the mallet comes down onto the wooden block, but he might as well have slammed it into my gut, because it knocks the wind out of me.
I now belong to Arran. He didn’t allow anyone else to purchase my contract. Everything has happened as it should, as I was told it would, and yet I find it hard to breathe because what comes next is even more terrifying.
“Do whatever it takes to earn his trust,” I was ordered. “Fuck him. Love him. Give him your fucking soul. I don’t care. Find out where Arran is hiding Clive and no one will ever bother you again. Your sister and you will be free from it all. Maisie will be safe.”
There it was, the offer I couldn’t refuse. My sister’s safety for a piece of information from a man I’ve never officially met before.
Only, he’s not looking at me like a stranger would. He’s looking at me like he knows me. Like he knows something about me. And for a second, as he disappears back into the shadowed doorway, he looks at me like he hates me already, even before I’ve had a chance to betray him.
I wonder, as I’m escorted off the stage, what I’m missing. But whatever it is, it’s not as important as the task at hand.
Earn Arran’s trust. Find out where he’s hiding his father.
Then pass the information to Gideon Black.
4
SKYE
Iwait for an hour in what most would consider a relaxing space, with cream tufted chairs and plush pillows and tea served in little ceramic cups, as the transfer of my ownership is completed. But the waiting itself is what has me tensing more and more by the second.
Once it’s done, Wesley Ritter will then give proof of purchase to Gideon and collect his payment. As for me, I will be taken to Arran’s house and pray I don’t fuck up.
I’m so on edge thinking about everything that’s still to come. Of how close I came to going home with someone else and what that could have meant for Maisie. Of what it means for me now that everything turned out as it should.
The fear of the unknown has me sick to my stomach.
Think of Maisie. Think of Maisie.
Only, I don’t need to remind myself to think of her. That’s all I do. Is she terrified? Or is she going to view this as an opportunity to play the hero, like in one of her sketches?
Please don’t do anything stupid, Maze.
“You’re good to go.” Haley peeks her head into the room. “Mr. Maxton is waiting for you outside.”
I force myself to stand on shaky legs and follow her to the exit. “That took longer than I expected.”
She glances back at me. “There was a discussion over the validity of the bid since Mr. Maxton wasn’t registered tonight. But he owns the place, so…” She lifts a delicate shoulder.
“Yeah, I guess that makes sense.”
Haley stops and turns to me, and for the first time, I notice the cheerful disposition she had earlier is completely gone. “I’ve never heard of him placing a bid on a girl. Like, ever. He rarely even makes an appearance. Does he know you or something?”
I shake my head. “I’ve never met him before.”
She scrutinizes me in a totally different way than she did before. This time, it’s through the lens women use to judge possible rivals. Is she pretty enough? Skinny enough? Good enough?
I’m not sure that I measure up to her standards. But in the end, she says, “You’re lucky. Congrats.”
“Thanks.”
