Page 100 of Underground Prince

The elevator dinged open, and they stepped onto the floor with me as a sack of potatoes between them. With one quick heave, I was tossed back on my feet, and I wobbled, my hand rubbing my stomach where his shoulder had been. Each took one of my elbows and led me forward. I hobbled between them, my gaze darting everywhere and landing nowhere.This wasn’t the same floor. Theo hadn’t brought me here.

A set of carved double-doors were at the end of the hallway, and without even a knock, the man on my left opened the door and shoved me in.

Barefoot, I stumbled over the thick carpeting but was able to right myself before falling.

“Miss Rhodes, please, sit down.”

My gaze skittered to the center of the room, to a figure lounging on one of the two chaises and nursing a highball glass of brown liquid.

Trace.

Breathing hard, I said through the swell of my tongue, “Thanks, but I’m good standing.”

“Suit yourself.” He uncrossed his legs, tipping his drink to me in silent invitation. I declined, shaking my head and crossing my arms over my chest.

“There’s no need to be afraid. I’m not going to hurt you.”

Fear disguised as anger gushed forward. “Then why was I forced up here? Why was I grabbed against my will? What’s your definition ofhurt?”

“And there it is,” he said instead of answering. “The spunk that absolutely had to exist in order for Theodore to take notice.”

“Where is he?” I asked. “I’m sure he’d punch you in the gut for doing this. But since he’s not here, I’m happy to do the honors.”

Trace threw back his head and laughed, in guttural, genuine amusement, and if I didn’t already spot the snake in his features, I’d have thought him beautiful, more fine-boned than his brother, slightly thinner in the face, but just as angelic. Strong cheekbones supported by thick brows, a jawline that rivaled a lion’s.

“You think I’m some piece of fluff you can have manhandled and carted around like pretty window dressing and actually think I’d be ready to converse with you?” I asked. “What’s the matter with you? Couldn’t you have found me downstairs and initiated a polite chat? Or do you usually kidnap ladies from a ballroom?”

“Careful.” His eyes hardened to cold metal. “I don’t sense you’re going anywhere near a safe discussion.”

“Oh, a discussion,” I said. “My sincere apologies for getting the wrong impression.”

“You’re beautiful.” The statement was a compliment, but his face was so smooth it was like his words couldn’t resonate with him. “You know what I could do with lips like yours? Curves like yours? I could sell you tonight.”

My mouth snapped shut.

“That’s right. Getting you up here was easy. Auctioning you off would be a pinch. And I’m sure the only reason you’d keep your tongue is to allow for sinful ‘discussions’ only.”

I would not gulp. I would not glance at the doors behind me. He would not be given the pleasure.

“I’m doing nothing but talking to you, which I’m sure Theodore wouldn’t mind, because there’s the very fair chance that he’ll never see you again,” Trace said. The gold marble was gone, and the newly supple skin around his mouth curved like a scorpion’s tail. “Goodness, I’ve barely met you and you’re already so entertaining.”

“I’m not here for you. I’m not willingly in this room at all, so let me leave.”

“Not yet.” He set his drink on the glass-topped table in front of him. “I have a few questions first.”

I took a few steps back. “I don’t know what it is you could possibly ask me.”

He cocked his head. “Don’t you? You’ve somehow involved yourself in this family in a matter of weeks, so much so that my unapproachable, unlovable,uninterestedlittle brother has cast a shroud of protection over you. And I assure you, he does not focus his attention on anything female so easily. Fucks them, yes. Cares enough to bring them willingly to bed, of course. But you, sweetness, you’ve done something more.” He took his time surrounding me, and I shrank further, my nails digging into my forearms. “And not only that, but I’ve had confirmation. There is just…” He swirled a finger in the air. “Something about you. Remember the slime of Mr. Strausen? The sweet residue of Austin Dean? They say the same thing. What an intriguing, sharp-witted, sexy young fox you are. You infiltrated, and made a gorgeous impression, quite seamlessly.”

I scrambled away from him, another “Please” escaping my throat. So much for being no one’s bitch.

Another foot forward and Trace herded me against the wall, the door so close that if I lunged left, I could maybe make it. But all he had to do was leap forward to prevent my escape.

“I’ve inquired quite a bit, studied your background.” His finger grazed across my cheek. “So sad, sweet girl. So incredibly heart-wrenching to have learned such a thing about you. May I just say.” His touch left my face, and my chest released. “You have my deepest condolences.”

“Let me go,” I whispered without looking at him. “I’m nothing to you.”

“But you are something, aren’t you?”

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