Page 38 of Sold to the Silver Foxes

I can practically hear her brown-paper skepticism crinkling. “Well, as long as it’s legal and you’re safe…” But her voice trails. She doesn’t believe me, but she’s too desperate to look a gift horse in the mouth. “You say you’ll have half the money soon?”

“In a few days,” I confirm, throat thick. “Please don’t worry about the mortgage payment—just focus on Erin’s next treatment.”

Grandma sighs. “You always carry the world, Tabitha. I just don’t want the world to crush you.” A beat. “Erin’s still asking for you. You’ll call her tomorrow?”

“Absolutely. Tell her I love her to the moon.”

We exchange goodnights. When the call ends, my hands are trembling. The ornate wallpaper blurs.

Dance consultant. Nice save—or maybe the most insulting lie I’ve ever spat. I pinch the bridge of my nose, fighting tears. I am literally sleeping in silk sheets purchased with my body’s price tag while Grandma collects coupons.

None of this is right.

An hour later I find all three brothers in the library. Nico is hunched over a laptop, Dante flips through a motorcycle magazine, and Sal sips espresso and reviews fabric swatches. The fireplace throws copper highlights across the room.

I hover in the doorway until Dante spots me. “Baby, c’mere. We were about to debate whether plaid dinner jackets are ever permissible.”

Sal grunts, “They aren’t.”

I step forward, fists knotted in the folds of my cardigan. “Can we talk? All of us?”

Three sets of eyes rise. I sit. The thump of my heartbeat fills my ears.

“I called home,” I begin. “Grandma Judy—I live with her—she pressed for details about where I’ve been, and I…lied. Told her I’m a dance consultant for your company.”

Each of them register the lie, either winces or brow raises in response.

“I’m not ashamed ofyou,” I rush on. “But if she knew the truth—about the auction—she’d be heartbroken. At the same time, I feel horrible lying. And I keep bouncing between excitement andguilt. One minute I’m in awe of how things have been, the next I’m terrified I sold myself.”

Silence, except for the fire popping.

Nico sets the laptop aside, expression measured. “Guilt and relief can coexist. Like so many other things, you’re allowed both at the same time.” He steeples his fingers. “We chose this arrangement. No one coerced you. Still, if deception weighs on you, we’ll help craft a cover story more plausible than ‘dance consultant.’ Something that won’t unravel if Grandma Googles it.”

Dante scoots closer, resting an arm on the sofa back behind me. “And if you want to back out of public events, say the word. The contract allows you veto power, cameras be damned.”

Sal sets his espresso down, studies me with those hawk eyes until I almost squirm. Then he says quietly, “You are not a product here—despite Pietro’s legal phrasing. You say no, we stop. You say cherry, we pull the plug and deal with the consequences.”

My throat clicks. “Even if Pietro tries to take your company?”

“He won’t,” Sal says. “And if he attempts it, that’s our war to fight—not yours.”

Warmth creeps up my cheeks. It’s foolish, but I feel like it’s my war too. I know how stupid that sounds—we’re just getting to know each other, this isn’t a real dating situation, I’m not naïve enough to think it is. But still, I feel responsible because I’m in this situation with them, and if I walk away, they’re fucked.

And they’re still trying to protect me too. Maybe they’re just as stupid as I am about this.

I swallow hard. “Thank you. Truly.”

Dante nudges my shoulder. “And hey, you’re not alone in this moral whiplash. I’m the king of bad decisions, remember? The trick is enjoying the ride without falling off the bike.” He flashes a grin that does its job, and I can’t help but smile back. He winks. “If you’re gonna do something wrong, do it right.”

I laugh and exhale the breath in my stomach to calm down. “I’m scared I’ll fall for…everything. The gifts, the pampering, the three of you.” My voice drops. “I’ll walk away in a few weeks, romantically flattened. I mean, you guys are…” My cheeks flush again. It’s embarrassing to admit what I’m about to say. “You guys are great, and I’m having an incredible time with all of you. It’s temporary, and my eyes are wide open to that, but that doesn’t mean it won’t sting when I leave here.” I can’t even look at them right now, so I stare at the fireplace. “I don’t know what I’m saying, just forget it, okay?”

Nico’s hand lands over mine, calm, grounding. “I get it.”

“You do?”

“Intimacy, built on emotions or other things, is still intimacy. There’s a bond, regardless of the circumstances. You’re a human being, Tabitha. Don’t pretend otherwise.” His little smirk tells me he’s enjoying parroting my words back to me.

I can’t help but smirk back. “I’ll try.”

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