Page 59 of The Billionaires' Prize

True. My girl’s smart, loves her research, bossy when she needs to be, and can hold her own in any discussion. She once had an argument with a squirrel who kept trying to steal ourpretzels, and I’m pretty sure she won because the squirrel ran up his tree and left us alone for the rest of the afternoon.

Her answer brings a fresh round of numbness. And not in the blissed-out,Gabe-just-gave-me-the-most-amazing-orgasmkind of way. This is that blank space feeling I got when my mother went behind my back and signed me up for the auction.

Which reminds me. Charlotte said nothing about my weekend, which has definitely earned her a bonus in my book.

This is the kind of numbness that creeps in slowly but oh-so-surely until there’s nothing left.

Shon: what’s wrong?

Shon: do I need to come kick some booty?

I chuckle, my fingers hovering over the virtual keyboard.

Katherine: fine. just tired. day’s only started.

Shon: tell one of those fine ass men to come give you an O to wake you up.

Katherine: Os put me to sleep.

Shon: sad face emoji

Katherine: boss wants to see me. HR too. face with rolling eyes emoji

I put the phone down, turn on my computer and give myself a quick mental pep talk. I’m a smart, capable woman. Maybe if I repeat that a few hundred times, it’ll sink in.

Before I pull up the calendar I share with Charlotte, I reach for my phone and ask one more question.

Katherine: have you ever heard of a slut era?

18

ALEX

I check in with Roman to see if Katherine’s available. He said she hadn’t had lunch yet, so I grab some sandwiches on my way over. But when I step off the elevator and stride past the row of offices and cubicles, I see the jerkoff from the auction.

Roman stands next to a door, his hands loose at his sides, watching the man out of the corner of his eye.

I quicken my steps. Not because I don’t trust Roman with Katherine’s safety—I one hundred percent do—but the urge to be near her, to protect her, is a fiery dragon breathing down my neck.

“It’s lunchtime. Surely she has a minute,” Jerkoff says.

“Her lunch hour is already booked,” I say, coming to stand between him and Roman. The woman at the desk looks me over, her eyes widening with surprise.

Thankfully, she doesn’t disagree with me.

Jerkoff grunts.

“Would you tell Katherine I’m here, please? Thank you.”

The woman gives a quick nod and picks up a phone. Jerkoff stands a little straighter.

Does he really expect her to turn me down?

His chin lifts. Of course he does. Such a cocky prick. I know his type. Born with money. Rarely told no. It must really piss him off that Katherine turned him down.

“Of course.” Katherine’s assistant nods and puts the phone back in its cradle. She beams up at me. “She said she’s ready for you.”

Then her gaze flicks back to Jerkoff, and her smile fades. He takes a step toward her, and I follow.

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