Page 92 of The Heiress Auction

I cover my face with my hands, then slowly massage the ache between my brows.

“Kat—”

“All this time, you could have come back. You could have fixed things between us.” I stare at him, wanting to be wrong. More certain by the second that I’m not. “Only when two gorgeous, wealthy, eligible men are interested do you show up? You have to see how suspicious that is. Why I can’t trust this. . .” I wave my finger back and forth between us.

“But—”

“Katherine—” Alex appears in the doorway. My savior. I sag with relief at the sight of him as he asks, “Everything okay?”

Bless him for his concern. One glance at the gorgeous giant filling the double door frame and I can tell it’s taking restraint on his part to not storm in and handle things. His hands hang at his side, curled lightly, as if ready to take action.

“Of course. I’d like to go back to Gabe’s house if you’re ready.”

“Kat—” Kingston sounds utterly wounded, and I know I shouldn’t, but I glance his way. Those soft green eyes that have always been so kind to me are filled with pain. Anxiety. And I hurt for him.

But he had six years to figure out his feelings for me, and he picked this moment? I’m already confused about what’s happening with Alex and Gabe. Not to mention the media circus surrounding the auction. Then there’s the will.

I just. . . I can’t deal with anything else right now.

“We’re ready,” Alex says.

He lifts a hand, and I stare from it to Kingston’s chest and back. Why does this hurt so badly?

My nose tingles with unshed tears, tears that I can’t let fall in front of these men. I have to be stronger than that, in control of my feelings and my destiny.

Stepping forward, I take Alex’s hand and let him lead me out of the house.

29

ALEX

No one speaks on the ride back to Gabe’s house. Which suits me just fine. I can practically hear the thoughts churning through Katherine’s mind. Twenty-four hours in her company and I’m so in tune with her it’s scary.

There’s a deep sigh from the backseat and I glance in the rearview mirror and find her staring out the window, chin propped on her palm. My chest tightens as my instinct to protect surges through me.

I should have had Roman follow us tonight. He could have stopped Kingston at the door, added a layer of security. I grit my teeth as the image of him sweeping her into his arms replays in my mind.

Gabe cuts me a look, obviously sensing that I’m stewing over this. It was bad enough to feel conflicted and jealous of his interest. How the hell are we supposed to compete with her best friend?

He knows her better, and he’s so. . . suave. And there’s no denying Kingston Saint is incredibly handsome.

As soon as I have the car in park, Katherine’s out the back door before I can get my seat belt off.

She’s not fleeing, exactly. But marching. Steady steps toward the front porch, unbothered by the lack of landscape lighting or even a welcoming lantern.

“Katie Bird.”

She pauses on the first step. It’s too dark to see every detail clearly, but I know she turns, her face shadowed but anguished.

I don’t even know how to ask the questions clanging around in my brain.

“What’s going on, Princess?” Gabe steps closer. “Who is he?”

She looks back and forth between us and then licks her lips. It’s like she’s preparing for battle. Buying time.

“Kingston Saint. He’s been my closest friend since we were children.”

Gabe shifts his weight, and the pebbles crunch beneath his feet.

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