Page 38 of Stolen Vows

“Maybe you should get your brain checked. Delusions like that are sometimes signs of a stroke.”

“It’s sweet that you care.”

My breaths come in harsh bursts from my chest, the weight of reality crashing down like a boulder smashing into the earth. For seven years, he’s left me alone. Years I’ve spent getting my bachelor’s degree, fighting to be heard and respected in biomed forums, doing scut work for Rampion Core, and volunteering at local conferences and fundraisers. Being my own person and making a name for myself outside of the Ricci brand.

Still, at some point, I tricked myself into thinking he had no interest, because I can’t help feeling pure, unadulterated panic now that he’s here.

How long will it be before he takes everything from me?

IthoughtI was free, but freedom is just an illusion in this world. You don’t really get to leave.

Finally, he releases me. I’m not expecting it, so I stumble a bit when he hastily steps back, making his way over to the auction items lined up in the center of the room.

“God, there’s a lot of expensive bullshit in here.”

I don’t think he’s looking for a response, so I don’t say anything. He passes a diamond necklace and scoffs at a silvery-gold, ruby-studded chalice.

“These items pale in comparison to the people putting themselves on the block tomorrow. Inanimate objects tend to be more complicated to wield for personal benefit, whereashumans…well.” He glances at me, his eyes growing somehow darker than ever. “Humans strike deals. Solicit favors. If you play your cards right, you can manipulate anyone into doing your bidding.”

I lift my chin. “Too bad for you, I’m not for sale.”

Another chuckle. “Are you forgetting the fact you already belong to me? If I wanted you up on a pedestal tomorrow, you’d be up there.”

“No, I wouldn’t.”

“You would if you wanted theOrchidée Sans Nomthat badly.”

Surprise arches my eyebrows, and my jaw drops slightly at the mention of the flower. I suppose it’s not difficult to determine which of the items I’d be most interested in, but there’s something almost violating about hearing him say it.

His index finger slides along the flower’s glass case, screeching loudly. “You know, there are only two of these in existence. The first was being held by some Japanese botany facility for preservation, and it sold at auction for half a billion. Didn’t even go to a band of scientists or someone who wants to try and use it for good. It was just sitting at someone’s home, gathering dust on its petals for the sake of vanity.”

My eyes narrow.How does he know all that?The last auction was private, and the recipients’ names were sealed to keep poachers away.

“I wonder what would happen if this got into the wrong hands,” he says, squinting at the flower. “Someone with ulterior motives might use it as leverage.”

“Well, that isn’t going to happen.”

He glances up at me, rounding the case so it’s between us. “No?”

“I’m winning the orchid tomorrow, then taking it back to my lab so they can research it and see if it actually has medicinal qualities.”

“Such an altruist.” He taps the glass with one gloved finger. “Would be a shame if someone were to outbid you.”

Anger courses through my fingertips, and I wish I had a weapon right now. Even if it got me escorted off the property, assaulting this man would be worth it.

“Are you threatening me?” I ask, growing weary of the back and forth.

“I don’t like that term. I’d prefer if we called it ‘blackmailing.’”

“Does that make you feel better about doing it?”

“Considerably, yes.” Exhaling slowly, Leo rounds the glass case before stopping just in front of it. He leans back, extending his legs and crossing one ankle over the other.

The picture of complete ease. I wonder if this is a window into how simple it was for him to let me go back then and not even bother to come after me.

Not that Iwantedhim to. It’s just the principle of the matter.

His eyes darken as they drag down my form, leaving a path of hot carnage in their wake. “Take down your hair.”

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