Page 16 of Off Limits Billionaire

“Interesting. Stalking your antiques.” He laughed and dropped the AirTag I'd given him in his pocket when someone entered the room.

The other bidder from the auction stepped closer, his face stern with a jagged scar running from his hairline, over his right eye, and stopping just above his cheek bone. Marcus stepped in front of me, putting himself between me and the man with the scar.

“Who are you and what do you want?” Marcus asked. The tone of his voice told me he’d protect me. I just didn’t know what I needed protection from, or who.

The man offered Marcus a grin and peeked over his shoulder at me, which sent a chill of fear down my spine. Marcus held my wrist firmly, keeping me behind him.

“Forgive my intrusion. I work for someone who was promised that clock and I need to buy it from you.”

Marcus shook his head, “Well, that’s not going to happen. I’ve paid for it already and it’s sentimental.”

The man sighed. “Please don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”

8

MARCUS

The man who stood between us and the door matched my height and build. The way his jacket hung told me he had some muscle, but I wasn’t sure if he carried a gun. I held Ana behind me, hoping this guy wouldn’t cause a scene.

Instead, he laced his fingers together and rolled his shoulders back. After a deep breath, he spoke softly, but I heard the hint of an accent. “I need to examine the piece.”

“That’s not going to happen, buddy. It’s mine.” I strengthened my resolve and prepared myself for a fight.

The man nodded and turned to leave. As soon as he left, I turned to face Ana. It was a different look in her eyes than the one she'd had during our rough takeoff on the plane. She stared beyond me, toward the door, as if the man were going to come back in.

“Hey,” I said softly, tipping her face to look at me. “We’re okay. It’s fine.”

Her skittish tone didn’t sit well with me. “We should get this thing on the plane and get out of London. I don’t like the way he asked about this piece. It’s like he’s going to get his hands on it no matter what you tell him.”

“He’s not the first person I’ve outbid on an item, and he won’t be the last. Some will use intimidation tactics because they think I’m a trust fund baby spending my family’s money.”

“I get that, Marcus.” She stroked the side of my face and said, “But that doesn’t mean the tactics stop here. You said we could leave whenever I felt like it. We have the clock. Let’s get some people to help us deliver it to the jet and leave. Tonight.”

“Damn,” I sighed. “I really wanted to show you a good time while we’re in London.”

Ana laughed. “Making me come all over you again was the best time and we did it in a different time zone. Time-traveling sex with an horologist is a pleasure trifecta. Come on Marcus, let’s go.”

“Okay,” I chuckled and bent down to kiss her gently on the lips. I still had every intention of tasting her again before we headed home, but I guess I’d have to wait until we got on the jet for that.

Back home, it was back to the reality of our feuding families and business deals that gave me reasons to be around her. I wouldn't be able to do anything with her freely until I had a discussion with my parents and grandparents.

Outside the room, our aggressive competition was nowhere to be found. The auction was nearing its end, and an auction assistant helped me get a hold of a courier to deliver the clock to Heathrow. Once we had that situated, we left Montclair’s and waited for the valet to order a car for our transport.

It only took me a minute to speak to the valet, but when I turned around, I saw Ana being shuffled off by someone whose face I couldn't see. His build was familiar and I already knew it was the guy from inside. What the hell was going on?

I chased after him, getting closer and closer until I saw him push Ana into an alley that separated the auction house from the building behind it. The area was deserted and I heard her trying to bargain with him.

“Just call your boyfriend, lady, and have him change the delivery address for the piece. It’s not hard and won’t cost you a thing,” the stranger told her.

“Except it will cost me 20 grand,” I said, sneaking up behind him punching the thug in the back of the head.

He barely flinched and I knew what came next wasn’t going to be as easy as I’d imagined it would. When he spun around, his right foot and left fist came with it. His foot connected with my chest, knocking the breath out of me. He barely missed my face with his fist as I ducked away from him. Catching him off guard, I countered with an uppercut, hitting him under the chin. He lost his balance and stumbled backwards.

Bent over and grasping my ribs, I held my hand out for Ana to come with me. Once she was out of the way, I kicked the guy in his upper thigh. He howled in pain as we ran back toward the front of the building, where we begged for someone to call the police.

Two officers arrived a few minutes after the valet noticed our condition.

“Evening, I’m Inspector Davies. What seems to be the issue?” The policeman spoke with a tone of concern toward Ana.

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