Page 22 of Hayes
“No, it’s not. Lennox completed his task, his way. I’m going to do the same.”
“You can’t fall in love.”
“Lennox did, but you don’t have to worry about me. I won’t fall in love.” I’m pretty sure I already have, but admitting that to him would be a bad move on my part. He’d think I’m insane. I don’t know her. I’ve barely spent any time with her. I can’t be in love. And yet, I know I am.
And I already know I’m putting everything at risk by loving her. I don’t even know what my next move is. I know how to complete my mission, but I don’t know how to end up with her. I don’t know how to save her. I’m not even sure if I care if I get her in the end as long as she’s happy. I want Lilith to be happy and stop this foolish game.
“What are you doing here other than lecturing me? Are you going to bid on Lilith?” If he does, I’m probably going to kill him. As it is, I already have a kill list. I may be trying to get back on the Retribution King’s good side, but any man who touches Lilith deserves to die.
“Just reminding you of your job. Don’t fuck this up, Hayes.”
“Why does everyone think I’m going to fuck things up? Lennox fucked up a lot of shit. Things are already very complicated, so I can’t make anything worse.” I’m totally going to make it worse. Fuck.
Gage gives me one of his long stares, the serious kind supposed to inspire fear to make me behave.
“Five-minute warning,” I hear Peter from the room behind me.
“That’s my cue.” I grin and turn away from Gage.
I sigh when he can no longer see me.
I can’t fuck this up. Gage is right. I have to put some distance between me and Lilith. She can’t be mine for so many reasons. Maybe someday, but not someday soon.
I just need to make sure she’s better off without me. Right now, I’m her best option, as far as I can tell.
Lilith returns to the living room a few minutes after me, looking more radiant than I’ve ever seen her. She’s redone her makeup and tamed some of her curls. I can’t decide if I prefer the tamed or wild look better.
Most notably, she’s calm. She’s almost unfazed by the beginning of another auction.
Her eyes cut to me, and she winks. It’s all a game to her. I just wish I knew what game she was playing and how to help her win.
Is she really a virgin?
Does she like to fuck for money?
Or does she think this is her only choice?
I saw what she did before, getting free of the restraints. But what does that mean? Is she really strong enough to fight back? Or is just knowing that she is in control and could stop it at any moment enough for her? Is she just a fortune hunter, looking for the wealthiest man here to marry her? Is she power-hungry?
I have so many questions about who Lilith is, but all I know for sure is that she’s forbidden. I can’t have her, and it makes me want her even more.
She flips her hair side to side, and I have to bite my lip to keep from growling possessively. She’s fucking mine.
I grin at her, pretending I’m fine with what she’s doing. She can fuck the whole damn room, and I’ll keep smiling. I’m fine. She’s not ripping my heart and soul out.
Is she faking or not? The way she stares down every man here makes me think she wants this, but maybe she wants me to think that.
Peter starts the bidding, but I’m barely paying attention. I’m not sure what the bids are for, what pieces of her the winning bidder gets to claim.
I study her. I watch her more intensely than I ever have before, trying to put together the pieces of the puzzle. But I can’t quite figure her out.
“Harvey wins,” Peter says.
I blink.
And Lilith’s head snaps to me.
I didn’t bid.
