Page 156 of The Contract

CHAPTER 53

Riley

“I need to find Mila.”

Chio’s grip clamps down like a bear trap. “Boss says go home. I take you home. Now.”

“Fuck your boss!” I yank my arm free so hard I stumble, barely catching myself. “I’m not leaving without Mila.”

He lunges for me. A miss.

Lunges again. Another miss.

Very Tink versus Captain Hook—if Tink had unresolved rage issues, and Hook was a pissed-off mob gorilla who really needs to chill.

“Dammit, Riley—the auction is about to start. You need to leave.”

“Auction?”

His fingers brush my wrist, a barely-there touch. It’s as close as I let him get.

The crowd shifts. Just enough to catch a flash of hot-pink skirt twirling past.

“Mila!”

I break for her.

Chio shouts my name, but it’s quickly drowned out by distance and the throngs of people. I do hear, “Stop her!” Which I can only assume is a command to his legions of stormtroopers.

I weave through bodies like a thread through fabric, slipping between two suited men mid-toast and vanish into the crush of people.

But the time I reach her, Mila’s drunk and oblivious and dancing—drink in her hand, face flushed, laughter bubbling out of her like this is the best night of her life.

I catch her arm mid-spin. “We have to leave.”

“What?” She blinks, squinting up at me.

“We have to go. Now.”

She slumps into me without warning, forehead pressing into my shoulder, her body warm and loose. “We can’t,” she murmurs. “Decker’s coming right back. He’s getting me another drink. He says the real party starts in a few minutes.”

My stomach drops.

“What party?”

She giggles. Light and airy. And one drink from full black out.

“Mila?” I grip her shoulders, give her a slight shake. “Hey! Stay with me.”

No response.

I slap her cheek—light, but firm enough to jolt her eyes open.

“We’re going,” I snap.

Her eyes flutter, confused and glassy, struggling to focus.

And then a voice slinks in behind me. “Ye goin’ somewhere, love?”

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