Page 43 of The Auction
Just fire.
And it’s aimed right at me.
Her shoulders are squared. That glittering red dress hugging her curves like temptation incarnate. But there’s nothing soft or seductive about her right now.
She’s furious. And so the fuck am I.
“Are you out of your goddamn mind?” I bark, stalking toward her. “What the hell were you doing on that stage?”
Cassidy crosses her arms, chin high. “Whatever I damn well please.”
“You were auctioning off your virginity, Cassidy!” My voice spikes, something wild and frantic clawing its way up my throat. “To a fucking room full of strangers.”
“And?” Her voice is deadly calm. “My body, my rules. I don’t have to explain myself to anyone—especially not you.”
I reel like she slapped me. She doesn’t back down. Doesn’t flinch.
I don’t know whether I want to shake her or lock her in a room and never let her out.
The door opens again, and Lucian walks in—with Eve right behind him.
Lucian barely steps into the room before I have him by the collar.
“You son of a bitch,” I snarl, slamming him back against the wall. “How could you let her go up there? She’s not one of your girls. She’s not a Companion.”
Lucian’s body hits hard, but he doesn’t even blink. His hand comes up fast and grabs my shirt in return, his eyes just as pissed as mine.
“She’s a grown fucking woman, Kane,” he grits out. “She walked in this morning. Signed the paperwork herself. This wasn’t some conspiracy. We didn’t even know you two were acquainted.”
“Acquainted?” I spit. “She’s?—”
I choke off the word. Mine. Mine in ways I can’t even explain.
Eve leans against the doorway with a drink in hand like she’s watching pay-per-view. “This is so much better than last year’s auction.”
“Cancel the contract,” I growl, still staring Lucian down.
“Don’t you dare,” Cassidy snaps.
I whip around to her, stunned.
She steps forward. “If he’s not paying, then put me back up there. Or give it to the last bidder.”
“The fuck you will,” I bark, eyes wide. I bend at the knee to get closer to her eye level, trying to make her see me. “Cass, are you out of your damn mind? Do you even hear yourself right now?”
She stares me down like she’s not scared of the monster I feel like. “Are you? You look like a goddamn maniac.”
Eve nods. “He does look incredibly caffeinated.”
I glare at her. “No. You’remyfriend. You takemyside.”
Eve shrugs with a smirk. “Chicks before dicks, my guy. If it’s a man against a woman, I’m on her side every time.”
“What the fuck.” I blink at her.
“I appreciate female rage.” She finished with a close-lipped smile that's not actually friendly.
“Lucian,” Cassidy snaps. “Put me back up there. This is my choice, not his.”
