Page 87 of Selling Innocence

“What I understand is reality. I have the money, the backing and the skills to drag this out as long as I need to to get what I want. You lack anything to use against me beyond holding Kenz—no information, no leverage, nothing. The longer you allow this to continue, the greater the risk to those around you. I can be quite patient, but even I have my limits. I will have Kenz, and whatever I have to burn to get her doesn’t really matter to me. That includes you, those you know, and those she knows.”

“I thought I said there would be none of that,” Bradley said.

“And if they do the wise thing, nothing will happen. You know as well as I do that eventually any problem will boil over. Give it enough time to build, and it will explode. I understand that you would prefer this to be dealt with quietly, and I have given them a way for that to happen. If they simply allow me to pay double the amount they did, this will resolve. They can go on with their lives, go back to whatever they want, and it will be over. It is best for you to press that issue. Best for both you and the auction house.”

Bradley’s expression stiffened. It seemed he didn’t care for the very obvious threat. The way he stared at the phone made me want to take a step away from the table, to get away from the tension there. Even I knew better than to threaten a man like Bradley. Beyond the fact that he was willing to sell people like property, just the way he held himself showed his power. He wasn’t the type to take it sitting down.

Still, Bradley didn’t speak, didn’t argue.

“I’ve got no intention of handing her over,” Hayden said.

“Your revenge is worth that much?”

“It’s worth everything.” A haunted look in Hayden’s eyes said he meant those words, that they were his real feelings, and the depth of them hurt. I still didn’t know what Lorien had done, but it had left some deep wounds in these men.

It broke my heart, those chains that held the men so tight that they hardly lived at all. They’d devoted their every moment to their revenge, to making Lorien pay for what he’d done. They couldn’t see past that.

But I’d seen what revenge could do to a person, how it twisted them, how it ate away at them until there was nothing left. Nem had given up a decade of her life to her revenge, had nearly died to get it, and why?

I didn’t want these men to suffer the same, for it to take as long to recognize the damage it did.

“Well, it doesn’t appear we’ll come to an agreement today,” Lorien said. “I’m willing to give you time to think it over. Hopefully you become less stubborn and recognize the best course of action for everyone involved. However, my willingness to wait comes at a rather small price. I want to speak to Kenz alone.”

“Not a fucking chance,” Char snapped.

“Put your claws away, conman. All I’m asking is for you and the others to step outside of the room. You’ve done your research, you know there is no other way in or out of this room. Leave the phone, so I can speak to her without prying ears.”

“Why?” Hayden asked.

“I need to make sure she has not been mistreated.”

“Like a murderer like you gives a damn about that,” Hayden said.

“Even monsters have soulmates. Kenz is mine, and I cannot, in good conscience, leave her where she is if I find out that any of you have mistreated her. I also can’t be sure she is free to speak unless she does so privately. This is non-negotiable. This is how you buy your time and my patience as you consider my offer.”

I could tell from the expressions of the men they did not like this plan. However, I was also smart enough to know when to give. “It’s okay. I’ll do it.”

Hayden flattened his lips into a severe line but nodded. Even if he didn’t like it, he knew when we were backed against a wall. “Okay. You have five minutes. If anything happens, just yell. We’ll be right outside.” When he stood, I could tell he wanted to reach out, to set his hand on my shoulder, but he didn’t.

They all filed out of the room, including Bradley, leaving me there with the phone. Despite the fact Lorien wasn’t in the room with me, his presence was heavy. It felt like he sat across from me, staring at me.

“They’re gone.” I hated the way my voice cracked in fear. What a coward.

“Good. Now, I wasn’t joking. Are you hurt? Have they mistreated you? Touched you in any way?” Threat vibrated through those words. It made me wonder, if I said yes, what he would do.

Nothing good. He seemed like the kind of man who would burn the world to get what he wanted.

“No, nothing like that. They’ve taken good care of me.”

He let out a long sigh full of relief. “Good. I’m glad. Believe it or not, I have been worried.”

I wanted to stay quiet. It was the old me, the one who had always bent to my father’s will, who had given in because it was safer and easier. I’d have my tantrums, but in the end, I’d done as I was told.

Except, I couldn’t do that, not now. “Why do you care?”

“Because we are meant to be.”

“I don’t even know you, so how can you say that?”

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