Page 134 of Auctioned

“Motherfucker.” The metal cuff digs into my skin, reminding me why I have every right to be mad at James.

Leaving me here is one thing. I understand that he has to go to work to maintain appearances. I haven’t forgotten that he has three other people ruling this rotten empire alongside him. He explained it to me last night in bed.

“They’re obligated to kill me if I step out of line.” His fingers brushed my cheek. The fingers on his inked hand. The one that spanked me into an orgasm a few minutes ago. “I’m allowed to end their lives as well. For any sign of treason. Our families have allowed many transgressions. Betrayal isn’t one of them.”

“Was anyone actually murdered?” I shivered. We lay under the sheets, naked, but it wasn’t cold. I could never be cold when I was cocooned against his body. “Other than your father and Oliver’s?”

Rain pattered on the window of our bedroom.

“No.” His hand slid down my cheek, cupping it.

“You could be the third one.” My shivers intensified. A life without James wasn’t a life I wanted to live.

“No.” James flipped me so I had my back to him and pressed me to his chest. His hand splayed over my stomach, fingers digging into my skin, answering me with his body as well as his mouth. “No one will kill me. I’m putting an end to this.”

I heard every word he wasn’t saying. That he would end anyone he perceived as a threat.

“Topher could kill you.” The underlying meaning of my words was that he wouldn’t kill his own son.

Did I want him to do it? I didn’t think so. Topher had been a jerk. I’d come across plenty of jerks in my life that I had no urge to kill.

But if it came down to Topher or me…

I had to know.

“Ophelia.” James gripped my chin, twisting me to him. His icy-blue eyes clashed into mine, flashing in the dark. “No one will hurt you. You’re mine. No matter what happens, I’ll protect you.”

That was all he said to me.

That was also the most emotion I’ve ever seen in that man. It was a beautiful thing. I woke up floating.

“Then you had to come and ruin everything.” I kick my shackled foot in the air. The chain rises from the floor. Drops.

I’m being dramatic. I’m lying.

Because I don’t really hate this game.

I don’t hate being owned by him.

The sun begins to set in the sky. The day isn’t over yet. I can still learn more about him.

How?

Look. I have to look elsewhere. There has to be a bobby pin here somewhere. I remember seeing them in Maisie’s, Clara’s, and Poppy’s hair that day of the auction.

I drop to my hands and knees and crawl around the living room. If James has cameras in here, I bet he’s having a field day.

The thought makes me stop. I rise to my knees, kissing my middle finger before flipping him off.

That is, if there are cameras at all. If, instead of working, he’s stalking me.

Heat rushes through my body. My cheeks are on fire. My pussy and ass are bare.

He could be looking at me while he’s in the office. Fuck, that’s filthy.

Okay. Stop. Back to searching.

No luck finding anything on the carpet. Same when I peek beneath the coffee table. End tables. First armchair. Second armchair.

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