“After one hour, the hunters begin tracking.” Oliver continued, clearly enjoying his role as master of ceremonies. “The first to catch the prey with his own hands claims victory. No weapons permitted—this is a test of strength, cunning, and will. The victor keeps his prize for twenty-four hours to do with as he desires.”
My vision went red at the edges. Twenty-four hours. These sick bastards would have twenty-four hours to?—
“What about medical attention?” the Hong Kong buyer asked, his English heavily accented. “If the prey is…damaged during capture?”
Oliver’s laugh was soft, refined. “We’re not monsters. The prey’s survival is guaranteed. Their comfort, however…” He let the implication hang.
My hands curled into fists tight enough that my knuckles cracked, the sound sharp in the sudden quiet.
“Additionally,” Oliver continued, “should the prey evade capture until noon, she wins her freedom. Though I should mention that in the five years we’ve held this tradition, that has never once occurred.”
“Because the prey gives up?” someone called out.
“Because they’re caught.” Oliver’s tone held absolute certainty. “Every. Single. Time.”
“This is bullshit.” The words scraped past the rage choking my throat. “You can’t?—”
“I can and I will.” Oliver’s gentlemanly mask slipped for just a moment, showing the monster underneath. “Unless you’d prefer we make this evening’s entertainment more…immediate? I’m sure the men would enjoy that option as well.”
The threat landed like a grenade. Play along with his sick game or watch them assault her right here, right now. Several of the buyers shifted forward eagerly at the suggestion. Diesel actually licked his lips.
“Besides, Coop…” Oliver’s conversational tone returned. “Your impressive display at the shooting contest earned you a ten-minute advantage. You may start the hunt ten minutes before the others.” He tilted his head. “You could use it wisely. Or perhaps you’d prefer to trade that advantage? I’m sure someone here would pay handsomely for those extra minutes. I know I’d be interested in your price.”
“Fifty thousand,” Volkov said immediately. “Cash. For your ten minutes.”
“Seventy-five,” the yakuza buyer countered.
They were bidding on her. Bidding on time to hunt her down. My finger twitched toward my concealed carry—fifteen rounds in the Glock, one in the chamber. I could take seven, maybe eight before?—
“The advantage isn’t for sale.” My voice came out steady despite the rage.
Oliver chuckled. “Such loyalty. How touching.”
Shit. This was not helping my cover. The Coop they knew wouldn’t hesitate to take that much money for a woman he claimed to have only known a few days.
“Nothing to do with loyalty. Has everything to do with beating you bastards.”
“Five minutes until release,” Oliver announced to the room. “The prey may leave whenever she wishes after that, but every second she remains here counts against her hour.”
Five minutes. Jesus Christ, five minutes to figure out how to save her life.
“After release, all hunters will return to their quarters to change into appropriate attire.” Oliver continued. “Then reconvene here forty-five minutes later to prepare to begin the hunt exactly one hour after the prey is released. Except for our contest winner, who may begin ten minutes early.”
The crowd dispersed slightly, men already discussing strategy.
“She’ll head for water,” one buyer said. “They always do.”
“Nah, she’ll go uphill,” Snake interjected, holstering his weapon but staying close to me. “Try to find a defensive position.”
“Ten bucks says she doesn’t make it past the tree line,” Tommy added, trying to sound experienced.
Diesel laughed, harsh and ugly. “Hundred says I’m the one who catches her. Them long legs won’t help when she’s tired.”
I turned, pulling Mia into my arms and away from the others, where we could talk with a measure of privacy. She looked up at me with eyes gone wide with shock, her face pale and bloodless. The burgundy dress that had made her look so beautiful now seemed like a target painted on her body.
“Listen to me.” I kept my voice low, urgent but controlled. She needed me steady, needed me confident, even though my mind was racing through possibilities. “You need to stay calm and focused. You can do this.”
“Coop—” Her voice cracked.
