Page 25 of Auctioned for Her Blood
“You may simply call him a thief,” Zuben says, “if that makes it easier to understand in a modern context. Whether he seizes his bounty at sea or in port, from a plane or an armored truck, Ryker’s modus operandi has been and always will be that of a pirate.”
“Okay…Listen.” His accusations seem way over the top, and donating three quarters of a million dollars to a not-for-profit does not seem like something a thief would do. And if this is Zuben’s way of competing for my attention with Ryker… I don’t like to be told who to like or who to spend time with.
Wanting out of the conversation, I glance to the front of the room. “I’m supposed to be helping with the auction. But it was nice talking to you.” I turn to go.
“Ember.” He grabs my hand, and I’m nearly pulled off my feet at the abrupt stop.
“Please,” he says, looking apologetic, but not letting go of my hand, his very tight around mine. “You do not understand the severity of this situation, the danger a man such as Ryker poses—especially to you.”
I tug, but my fingers are trapped by his larger and much stronger ones. Fear invades my chest and my belly, freezing out all the warmth. “I understand enough,” I say coldly. “Let me go. Please.”
He releases my hand and my fingers ache from the pressure. He bows his head slightly then looks back into my eyes. “Please accept my apologies. My actions in physically detaining you were abhorrent, but your safety is my only concern.”
I draw a long breath, reminding myself that this man is a major donor, a man who, until the last minute, I felt an unbelievable attraction to and connection with. And as he gazes into my eyes, I feel that connection again and believe him when he says he wants to protect me. In fact, given the intensity in his eyes, I get the distinct feeling that he’d kill anyone who tried to harm me.
But that’s silly.
“Ember, I suspect you are very special.”
“Suspect?”
He raises his hand to his forehead. “Forgive me again. I am not well practiced in speaking with women.”
“I don’t believe that for a moment.”
“Nevertheless, it is true.”
I shrug. No point in arguing on that one.
“You areclearlyspecial,” he says somewhat awkwardly, “and a man…a man like Ryker…He poses a great threat to you. I do not want to see you get hurt.”
I smile softly. “Thank you, but I can take care of myself.” Two wealthy men fighting for my attention seems like something out of a fantasy—not real life. And Zuben’s warning is clearly driven by jealousy.
My fingers graze Zuben’s arm, and he inhales at my touch.
“I do appreciate your concern,” I say firmly. “But I really do need to go help Shana.”
Walking away on shaky legs, I can feel the heat of Zuben’s gaze on my back.
Chapter Seven
Ember
“Hey, Ember,”Shana says as I approach. “We’re on the final lot.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t been here to help.”
“Not a bit.” She squeezes my arm. “Everything’s gone swimmingly. Plus, I spotted you having a drink, not only with Mr. Stone, but also with our mysterious Zuben.” Her eyebrows rise a few times. “Both men seem to have taken quite a shine to you.”
My cheeks rage again with heat, a searing combo of embarrassment, shame and anger. I can’t begin to sort out my conflicting emotions, especially given all the champagne I’ve consumed, another possible source of the flames now I think of it. At some point I lost count of the number of glasses and realize I never went to the kitchen to get the dinner that the hotel staff were kindly holding for me.
“Let yourself enjoy their attention,” Shana says. “Zuben raised a few red flags for me at our first meeting, but now that I’ve gotten to know him, I approve.” She winks. “He’s very smart and a serious man, not unlike you. Perfect for you.”
I nod, unable to express to Shana how I feel about Zuben. His negative words about Ryker annoyed me, but now that it’s been a minute, I’m starting to wonder if his warning was based on something more than jealousy. Ryker does seem dangerous…
“Plus. He’s not hard to look at.” Shana winks. “I haven’t been with a man since the nineties, but if I were a few years younger…hell, even at my age, I wouldn’t kick him out of bed.”
“Why, thank you.” Ryker arrives out of nowhere. Hand on his heart, he winks at Shana, then turns to me. “You ladiesweretalking about me, right?”
