Page 188 of Auctioned

“Properties aren’t allowed to leave their owner’s side,” I whisper. Heat scalds my cheeks. I’ll never tire of how hot it is when he degrades me. “Wherever my owner goes, I follow.”

He makes a low sound of approval in the back of his throat. Rests his tattooed hand on my chignon that’s twisted at my nape.

One second and his touch is gone.

Three.

Two.

One.

The elevator door slides open.

Light floods in from the floor-to-ceiling windows, the sun shining through the thick December clouds. There are so many people here. I never imagined it’d be so crowded.

They’re on their phones. Men and women in suits pace the halls.

Some sit in meetings inside glass offices.

One of the men is right here, leaning over the front desk, talking to the auburn-haired receptionist.

Terror clutches at my chest, numbing me, and it has nothing to do with any of them.

When Topher finds out I’m here, there’ll be hell to pay. He’ll shout. Throw a tantrum like he did when he showed up at our home. Everyone on the floor will whisper and point fingers at me.

There’s no telling what poison he’ll feed them before James kills him.

Then I remember why I’m here before Camden and Topher are taken care of.

A show of power. Of James’s power.

He wants me here. He thinks I belong, truly. He wants them to know that if anyone takes Topher’s side, they’ll be fired on the spot.

It’s essential that I remember that.

One day, I’ll be an equal partner at James’s side. Or we’ll shut this place down for good and move away.

Whatever we decide, that’s where I’ll be. That’s my destiny.

Our destiny.

I won’t cower or freak out about what anyone has to say about me.

Chin up. Shoulders pulled back.

No one belongs here more than I do.

“After you, Miss Monroe.”

I feel the ghost of his hand on the small of my back. It’s then that I forget about the nerves and how my stomach swoops and my heart gallops.

The first step is always the hardest one. I learned that in every new foster home I walked into.

The uncertainty is usually worse than whatever’s out there.

Here we go.

My heel hits the slate-gray granite floor. The other one. I have this.

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