Page 34 of Red

“Right. Because if she doesn’t marry you…this will be her fate?” Ash startled her with his heated stare. “Melinda, are you free to leave at any time you wish?”

Melinda swallowed down the whimper dancing around her throat. Erik didn’t turn in his chair to look at her; he expected her to answer correctly. But she no longer knew what the correct answer was.

If she told the truth, that no, Erik would find her and drag her home if she left, she’d be putting herself in danger. If she lied, she could be putting herself in danger with Ash. And that man out in the party room seemed to have some big interests where she was concerned.

“Melinda. Answer honestly,” Erik said in a softer tone. He wanted her to tell the truth, or was this another trick?

She licked her lips. “No. My grandfather sold me to Kristoff Komisky when I was younger in order to pay off a large debt. They agreed I would be able to finish school, and now that I have, Erik—Mr. Rawling—collected me.”

Ash tapped his fingers on the desk. “So, you are being held against your will?”

“No.” She sank into the couch. “My grandmother will lose everything if I don’t honor the sale my grandfather made.” She swallowed again, her throat was so damn dry. “I’m not being forced.” Not completely, but she didn’t add to her answer. Keeping the conversation simple felt the best course of action.

There. The whole fucking sordid truth. She could walk out and let her grandmother suffer the consequences, but she wouldn’t.

Ash tapped his fingers along the edge of his desk. “Erik is a smart man. He wouldn’t have brought you here if you were completely without options. He’s aware I won’t work with unwilling women, and if you were to mention to my men that you needed assistance in that area, you would be safe. So, I’m sure you’re telling me the complete truth.”

Melinda’s breath caught in her throat. He’d beat around the bush a bit, but in the end, he was offering her a safety net—if she went against Erik. Wouldn’t Erik see that as an insult, or had she watched too many late-night movies?

“Bertucci’s interest concerns me.” Ash turned back to Erik, apparently satisfied with her testimony.

“He won’t have her.” Erik shrugged, seemingly indifferent to the quick change in focus. “Do you have any idea why he made the offer?”

Ash scratched his temple. “The other girls. Have you kept tabs on them?”

“No, but I vetted the man who made the purchase.” Erik’s hand flexed. A tiny movement, but she noticed. “You think he’s connected to them as well?”

“I think when Bertucci makes an offer like he did, there’s reason.”

“I agree.” Erik nodded. “I’m looking into it, but you have more resources than I do. My uncle’s disgrace has left me outside the loop.”

Watching the exchange was like being a spectator at a tennis match. Melinda couldn’t keep up with everything they talked about, but she got a clear image that Bertucci wasn’t a good man. And his interest in her was a danger sign.

“I would suggest you keep the engagement short. The sooner you have her legally under your protection, the better.” Ash’s words shot through Melinda.

Protection?

“Do you have any ideas why Bertucci is so interested?” Erik pressed.

“He’s been slowly taking over since your uncle’s death. He’s already gained much of his territory. He had some loose ties with Bellatrix Gothel before she left the scene; I assume he wants to start trade back up.”

“And these requirements with my uncle’s will have given him easy pickings?”

“That’s the concern.” Ash nodded, his eyes shifting over to Melinda. If he was looking for her to react, he could keep waiting. Bertucci sounded like a new breed of evil. Erik would protect her from him. She didn’t need Ash or anyone else.

“You’ll let me know if you find anything out,” Erik stated. The two men reminded her of two pack leaders circling each other, trying to sniff out the danger of the other one. Part of her wanted to throw a ruler on the desk and tell them to get it over with.

“I will. And this evening—”

“Last night of freedom.” Erik glanced over his shoulder, giving Melinda a knowing grin. “For both of us.”

Chapter 12

Ash Titon wasn’t a man Erik wanted on the opposing side of any argument. Loyalty to his family should have made him the enemy, but Erik wouldn’t blame a man for protecting what was his. And everything Ash had done against Kristoff Komisky was to protect his wife. Erik wouldn’t lay hate on him for that.

When Erik led Melinda back into the main ballroom where couples were already being paired off and negotiations for contracts were taking place, he sensed her apprehension. She’d been silent in the office, kept her confusion to herself, and he’d reward her once they got home. But he could feel the questions bubbling up inside her.

“You were a very good girl for me,” he complimented and kissed the inside of one wrist.

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