Page 43 of Into the Woods

His hands came up to grip my shoulders. “Becca, think. What did they say?”

“I-I don’t know. Colby brought it up, I think, but then Eric told him to shut up and he told me it was a charity their families all run together to help people from third-world countries.” I stared, wide-eyed and unsure, as Court seemed to process my words.

“Fuck. But you heard the word auction?”

I nodded.

He growled and spun away from me, stalking the length of the small bathroom and pausing at the closed door. He didn’t speak or move for a weighted moment, then his fist shot out with an explosive punch to the door.

I jerked, gasping as I looked at where the wood had splintered. “Court!” The sight of blood dripping from his knuckles as he lowered his hand with a hiss had me moving. “You idiot,” I scolded, hurrying to the sink to grab a handful of paper towels.

“It’s fine,” he muttered even as I reached for him.

My skin crackled with electricity as I took his hand in mine. He’d split his knuckles wide open. “You probably broke your hand.”

“No, I didn’t.” He wiggled his fingers, but I caught the barely discernible wince.

“Why did you do that?” I demanded, wrapping up his hand as best as I could.

He yanked it away and stared down at me. “Are you kidding?”

I threw my hands up. “What would I possibly have to be kidding about, Court?”

He jabbed a finger toward the door. “Do you even realize how much danger you’re in here? Jesus, Bex, it’s not a fucking charity auction they’re discussing. It’s why I’m here with Rook and Bishop. It’s a major event where the items being auctioned off are women.”

I staggered back a step.

He grimaced. “And you’re apparently dating the guy who’s in charge of making sure they all show up on time.”

Now I was really lost. “Are you crazy? Eric runs a cargo importing and exporting business that belonged to his late mother.”

Court gave me a look, and I froze as everything started slotting together.

Auction.

Shipping.

Business.

Oh fuck me sideways with a stick.

I turned and barely made it in time for the vomit to land in the toilet.

CHAPTER 14

COURT

God, I was an asshole. I probably could have figured out a gentler way to break the news to Becca that the guy she was dating was a monster, but I’d never been tactful. Especially not when I was pissed.

And right now? I was fucking livid.

But I hadn’t expected the news to make her actually sick.

Every time I closed my eyes, I could see her walking into the restaurant with him. The way he’d rested his hand on the small of her back like he fucking owned her. Like she was his property.

She wasn’t his, and she never would be.

Mine.

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