“Tonight I saw you on that stage,” I say. “And I chose speed.”
Her face pales. “You… you bid on me.”
There’s hurt in her voice.
I nod once. “I did.”
Her eyes shine. “So you were buying me.”
I lean forward a little, keeping my hands visible on my knees.
“No,” I say quietly. “I was buying time. I needed the whole room looking at me.”
Her breath catches. “And the other girl?”
“She got out before you,” I tell her. “Tank followed.”
Ruby frowns. “Tank?”
“Club security,” I say. “He’s tracking her transport team right now.”
Her lips part. “He’s going after her?”
“He is.”
“Tonight?”
“Tonight.”
Her grip tightens on the mug until her knuckles turn pale. “So the other men with guns…”
“Mine.”
Her eyes flick to the door like she expects them to walk in.
“They went back to the clubhouse,” I add. “They won’t come here.”
She looks at me. “Why?”
“Because you don’t need more strangers in this room,” I say. “You’ve had enough for one lifetime.”
Her throat works. She nods once, quick.
Silence stretches between us.
She looks down at the clothes again. “If I change, will you…?”
“I’ll turn around.”
I’m already standing before the words finish. I face the kitchenette and plant my hands on the counter so she can hear I’m not moving.
Fabric rustles behind me.
A shaky breath.
Then a whisper, almost to herself.
“This is insane.”
