Page 21 of Secured By the Buyer

“Sorry we couldn’t meet at the vending machines, princess.” Those lips curve into a wry smile, and something clicks into place.

The scent of him, rich and comforting, floods my nostrils, and despite my fear, my body relaxes. No matter what he looks like now, this is the same man I met in the hotel room, the same one who later bought me.

“Alpha.” My lashes flutter down as I lean toward him, the Omega in me craving the reassurance his presence brings.

His grip gentles, and he cuddles me closer, a rumble emanating from his chest. “That’s right, sweet princess, you know who I am.”

Behind us, one of the twins speaks up. “Don’t let your guard down so fast, Liam.”

As Liam–my Alpha–turns his head, the fork drops from my sleeve into my hand. My fist closes around it, and I swing with all my strength, driving it into his shoulder.

The tang of copper fills the air, and his howl of pain pops my eardrums. A pang of guilt goes through me, mixing with my fear, but there’s no time for this confusing mix of emotions.

His grip on me vanishes, and I fall from his embrace. I land on my feet with a thud that reverberates up my shins, and without missing a beat, I sprint past him into the office.

“I warned you!” the twin shouts.

The words spur me to move faster as I search for a way out, my heart pounding in my ears. The window looms ahead, my escape, my salvation.

Racing to it, I shove it open with a strength born from desperation, and icy wind whips through my hair, sending shivers down my spine.

For a split second, I hesitate, my legs trembling as I peer down at the ground three stories below. It’s dizzying, terrifying, but anything is better than staying here with the man who bought me.

I scramble up on the ledge, the hard windowsill digging into my bare feet.

About to jump, strong hands seize me from behind, yanking me back into the room.

“No!” I struggle, kicking and thrashing as I’m wrestled to the floor, my body pinned under the weight of my owner.

“I’m sorry, princess.” He strokes the hair back from my face, then jerks his hand away before I can sink my teeth into him. “I can’t allow you to escape.”

A wave of rage washes over me at his words, but beneath it, fear settles in my chest. I don’t want this life, this Alpha who thinks he owns me.

If I run away, though, where can I go? Home isn’t an option. My father would just sell me again. And not to my work, where my boss is in on it.

“Let me go!” I buck beneath him, desperate and furious. “I’m not your property!”

Blood seeps from his shoulder where I stabbed him, but he contains my struggles with infinite patience. “Please, princess, don’t force me to drug you again.”

I freeze at the words.

“Please,” I choke out. “Let me go.”

“I can’t, Milo,” he says, his tone gentle. “For now, you belong to me.”

The claim rings in my bones, singing with the rightness of belonging to this Alpha. My Alpha. The man I dared to dream would bring me happiness, but instead took part in my hell.

My eyes burn. “I hate you.”

“I understand.” He leans forward to press his forehead against mine. “But I hope that changesonce I have a chance to explain.”

Tears slip down my cheeks even as his pheromones curl through me, melting away my resistance. Instinct tells me to trust him, but life has taught me no one has my best interest at heart.

I’m all alone in the world.

8

Ipeek at Jade from the corner of my eye.

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