Page 13 of Buying Time

Of course, with that freedom came unpleasantness, as I spotted the icon on the front screen that would connect me with Lorien.

They’d explained the reasoning to me, but that didn’t mean I liked it one bit. I didn’t want to talk to him anymore, to get any closer to him, but I understood the plan. Besides, this was my problem at the end of the day. Lorien wantedme.I couldn’t sit back and do nothing while the men fixed it for me, could I?

Hayden had offered to stay, but I’d said no. I could do this on my own, right? Besides, it would only feel that much more awkward if anyone watched me while speaking with Lorien.

I’ve put it off long enough, right?

I forced myself to press the button on the screen labeled only asCall.It would route the call through the phone Bradley had left us and dial the one he’d given to Lorien. In short? It would allow us to speak without risking either of us.

“Hello?” The answer came so fast that it didn’t have time to ring. Had he been waiting? The thought of him sitting there, phone in hand, wasalmostcharming. At least, it might have been if I didn’t already know what a horrible person he was. His voice was altered as it had been before.

“Hello.” My greeting came out as a whisper.

“I’m glad you called, Kenz. I’d started to worry you might not.”

“I was nervous. Can you blame me?”

“No, I can’t. Anyone in your position would be cautious about such a discussion. We haven’t had a great introduction, after all, and I’m sure you’ve gotten stories about me. I think I would be more disappointed if you put yourself in danger by rushing into a foolish situation without consideration.” He sounded strange because of the voice changer, but he also sounded far more relaxed than the last time.

Perhaps because this was supposed to be a conversation?Maybe he didn’t feel as guarded when it was just us?

I thought about what would have happened if I’d arrived at that hotel, if I’d gotten handed over to him instead of the men finding me and bringing me back?

Would he speak to me this nicely? Or was this just a game to him, a way to get me to do what he wanted until I no longer had a choice to obey?

“How are you feeling?” Lorien asked.

“Good.”

“You sound tired.”

“Everyone tells me that,” I admitted.

“Then it is probably true.” His words held a teasing tone which felt completely at odds with the man I’d heard about. “Do you struggle with sleep?”

“Sometimes.”

“Nightmares?” When I didn’t answer, he sighed softly. “Probably from when Kyler shot you.”

“How do you know about that?” I asked so quickly that it surprised even me. Then again, almost no one knew about me, so the idea that he had so much information unnerved me.

“I have a very good network of information, Kenz. You should simply assume that I know everything about you.”

“Why, though? Why do you care about me at all? A man in your position could have any woman he wants, so why me?”

“Because I want you. Isn’t that obvious by now? We’re meant to be. I knew it the first time I saw you, the first time I spoke to you.”

“And when exactly was that?”

He laughed softly. “Don’t worry about that right now. Just trust that I want what’s best for you.”

“Why do it likethisthen?”

“Because I’m not a man who leaves anything to chance. I don’t like to risk not getting what I want, so I ensure things go my way. That’s true of my professional life and my personal one. When I found out where you were, it only made sense to make sure you were mine.”

“And you thought buying me at an auction was the way to do that?”

“Perhaps not the normal way, but when I spoke to the auction house, I made it perfectly clear that any harm to you would be unacceptable. By going through them, I ensured a safe handover. It also allowed me to stay far enough away that I would take no blame for your disappearance.”

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