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Jace loosens his tie. “Guess I'd better start preparing for tomorrow's circus.” He flashes Sloane a grin, but she doesn't react, continuing toward the windows.
His smile disappears as he looks at me. Worry painting his features. “She okay?”
“No.”
He glances toward her. “You've got her, right?”
“Yeah, Pup. I've got her.” I draw him in for a kiss before sending him after Nate.
Sloane stands at the windows, her emerald gown catching the city lights. I'd had plans for that dress tonight. For everything underneath it, too. No interruptions and nowhere either of us needed to be.
After what happened at that auction, those plans can wait.
I approach from behind, resting my hands on her hips. She doesn't lean into me like she normally would. “Talk to me, Little Doe.”
“About what?”
“Whatever's going on in that head of yours.”
She turns in my arms, her expression serious as she rests her hands on my chest. “I've been thinking.”
“Have you?”
“Mmhm. I have been thinking of all the different ways I could murder Adrian Cross and make it look like an accident.”
I raise a brow. “And how many have you come up with?”
“Thirty-ish.”
“Only thirty?” I brush my thumb across her cheek. “You're losing your touch.”
Her mouth twitches before the amusement fades. “I should've fought back.”
“You did what you could, Doe.”
“I stood there, Elias. I just... stood there and let them auction me off like some prized mare. And Nate dropped so much damn money. How am I supposed to—"
I shut down her spiral with a kiss and I don't stop until I feel her relax against me.
“You don't owe anyone a damn thing, Doe. Jace or I would've done the same.” I brush my thumb across her cheek. “Adrian knew exactly what he was doing. Nate wouldn't give him the answer he wanted earlier, so he found another way to get it. That auction wasn't about you. It was about forcing Nate to show his hand.”
She shakes her head. “I can still see his face. Hear that damn auctioneer. Every time I close my eyes—”
She's winding herself up again, and I can see she's nowhere near finished. I had something else planned for us tonight, but right now, my Little Doe needs something that will get her out of her head. Fortunately, I know exactly what will capture her attention.
“Run.”
She stares at me. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
“Elias, I am not running around this penthouse in a damn ball gown.”
“Then I suggest you get creative.”
Her eyes narrow. “You know what? You're a real asshole.”
I shrug out of my tuxedo jacket and drape it over the nearest chair. “Ten seconds, Little Doe.”
