o's

a Ri

and raised when I should have walked away. Something about her had mad

d to start a wa

, here

s watc

ng. Cal

rt

nswers, she simply asked,

layed on

The name Moretti meant something to her-I could see it in

resence filling the ro

s still intact, though the chaos of the auction had left her in disarray. Strands of dark h

herself to mask whatever fear crept up

la

y voice was smoot

her chin. "

arked in her eyes, onl

ith eerie calm. The soft click of the lock sent a shiv

l. And I wanted

berate. She didn't shrink away, even as

why you're he

defiant. "Becaus

hair across from her, one ankle resting on my knee, per

sed. "Does

ts and fleeting emotions-more

a

rest

ission. Maybe even desperation.

but beneath it, I heard the strain. The question she re

oo proud to s

nte," I said smoothly, watching her

htened. "Th

was again

ould tread carefully, weighi

dged with heat. "I was bought like an animal. I'm

nsidering her. "Is t

at else am I sup

me, but at the entire sit

respec

almost coaxing. "If I hadn't bought you, d

just barely-b

men had been in that room. Wha

assed through her eyes, b

enged, forcing steel into her v

s lifted, more amuse

I want

the real

ng more. I had no reason to involve myself in the filth of

lsiv

to make sud

it and see," I finally said,

orless, shaking her head

greed, "i

nwavering. "I'm no

I don't care

fted. "But

long moment, letting

na." My voice was quiet, leth

d her brow. "U

closer, letting my presence

own yo

eath h

with

h f

g smile spread

hat she'd just go

ed for the glass of water beside her plate and

. Not su

ian

he silence stretch. Most people couldn't ho

ughts. If you think I'm goi

us

enough to crowd her space

into a firm lin

on was bol

real question. I

dark and q

d around the glass, knuckles whitening just slightly.

o

I studied her, tilting my head. "Y

ft clink, then leaned back again

fear is a weakness," she said.

way she said it made

forearms on my knees. "And

d at me,

in that auction house want

letting her words

I sm

ena." My voice dropped to a dark w

hing crossed her f

t, there was

ios

ny it. She w

I sa

going t