Page 50 of He Will Come for Me

I lean back to look up at him. “Like what?”

We fell asleep in the library after our long conversation last night. Untangling myself from Phoenix, I’m surprised I’m awake before him. Normally, he’s the first one up. Last night was a lot. I never got to tell him about me remembering graduation day.

I remember seeing him on graduation day, but I don’t remember having that conversation with him. He’s known all along the things my father did. And it seems over the past several years we have attempted to bring him and The Society down. I think back to our conversation last night.

“After I bought you that night, you didn’t speak to me for months. I didn’t help matters. I pushed you away as much as I could. Made you hate me. But then you found out I was still going to auctions and you were pissed. You thought I was buying other girls and doing with them what I did with you.”

I sigh as I turn the coffee pot on and watch as it begins to percolate. I could understand why I would have been pissed. I remember how I felt that night. Even though I was terrified, there was a part of me that was thankful it was Phoenix.

“You followed me to one of the auctions. Snuck into the back of the car. I was so pissed at you for putting yourself in danger like that. So, you told me to take you, too. I put you back in the car and drove you straight home. So, you didn’t speak to me again until a few days before the next auction. What I didn’t know is you had been planning and scheming. The night of the auction, you waltzed into my office looking like a fucking goddess and told me you were coming.”

I chuckle to myself as I pour my coffee and put creamer in it. He didn’t argue. He gave me a silver mask and took me with him.

“You saw what really happened at those auctions, and a plan began to form. We were trying to turn it into something legal. Well, legal for our world. Instead of this being hosted at different people’s homes. Have it located at one central place and the people who are up for auction doing it willingly. Many people did not like that and some of them have been trying to stop us. When news got out that we were married, they knew the best way to get to me was through you. I think your father used this to his advantage to get you back.”

Phoenix walks into the kitchen looking sexy as hell with his bed head. He pads over, dropping a kiss on top of my head, before grabbing a cup and pouring himself some coffee. I wait until he takes a few sips before I bombard him with questions. He did the majority of the talking last night.

“You said last night that my father used taking me to get to you to his advantage. What did you mean?”

He runs his hand over his jaw, a slight shadow on his chin. He sits at the island, taking another sip of his coffee before he answers me. “Your father hates me. He knew I was out to destroy him. He heard someone else had taken you, but was unsuccessful in keeping you. I think he was determined to be the one who would be successful.”

I think back to the day I had the memory of the person threatening Phoenix. I still don’t think it was my father who kidnapped me.

“Phoenix, I don’t ever remember seeing my father. When I would say my mantra, I always thought it would be my father that was the one who would rescue me.” I begin to pace. “In fact, I thought that until the day I had the memory that he’s the one that sold me.”

He’s quiet for a few minutes as he thinks. “You’ve admitted you don’t remember everything while you were being held,” he reminds me. “It was your father, Kenz.” His voice holds no room for argument.

“Why are you so determined to put it on him? How do you know?”

He stands so quickly his chair falls over. I jump at the loud clatter. “Because I do. Trust me, I searched for you for months and things happened while you were gone that pointed to your father.”

I walk to him and take his hands in mine. “What if that’s what they wanted you to think? Does my father still go to these auctions?” The thought makes me sick. Phoenix nods slowly. “Okay. What do you think he’ll think if he sees me at the auction this weekend? He’ll know you got me back. He’ll know you came for me.”

He’s quiet, but his chest is moving rapidly from how quickly he’s breathing. “He won’t be allowed to come to our auction. Anytime we host one, he’s not allowed to attend.”

That makes sense. I could understand why neither of us would want him here. “Okay. That’s one thing we won’t have to worry about.” I go along with his thoughts that my father is somehow involved in kidnapping me.

“Is it possible he has people come to spy and report back to him?” It makes me feel slightly better that we host the auctions at his house downtown and not here. Over the past few months, this place has become my home, and I think an auction would taint that.

“It’s possible. There is a certain anonymity with these auctions. But before joining The Society, there are certain criteria that must be met before attending an auction.” I want to ask more questions, but I don’t want to argue with Phoenix and it seems this is something he’s determined is true.

“Okay. Well, what’s the first thing we need to do to prepare?”

He sighs. “First, we’re going to enjoy Thanksgiving. Then we’ll begin planning tonight after everyone leaves.”

I hop up at the realization that today is Thanksgiving. “Shit.” He smirks at me. I grab his hand and pull him out of the kitchen.

“Where are we going?” he asks as he allows me to drag him through the living room and up the stairs.

“To take a shower and get ready.”

He grabs me around the waist and lifts me so he’s cradling me. “That sounds perfect,” he murmurs as his mouth skims up my jaw.

“I wasn’t thinking about that,” I protest.

He scoffs. “What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking about saving time.” He laughs as he takes the stairs two at a time.

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