I grunted and scrolled through the items for sale. A surprising collection of art objects and people.
Savannah tensed as she examined the auction listings, and I could sense the bitter tang of her sudden shock and outrage. “There are people on the menu.”
Despite all that she’d experienced over the last month, she was naïve and far too innocent.
I gestured to the artists working around the reception hall. “Contracts, I’m guessing.”
Though I suspected some might be more than that.
We passed through a hall lined with Greco-Roman statues that led to an open-air garden surrounded by a candlelit portico covered in vines. The place was flamboyant and ostentatious.
I could only imagine how conceited Rivera had to be to live in a place like this.
“It’s gorgeous,” Savannah muttered, eyes lingering on the fountain in the center of the garden.
“I think you mean garish,” I said, scanning the guests.
She shrugged. “I like what I like.”
I gave a noncommittal grunt. We couldn’t be more different, and yet, something kept pulling me to her—more than just the power of our mate bond. A taste of all the things I couldn’t be. Impetuous. Free. Completely herself and uncorrupted.
“Ladies and gentlemen!” a voice boomed from above, drawing my gaze to a second level balcony where a man in a black suit scanned the garden like a lion. Alejandro Rivera.
The asshole was just as I’d imagined.
The bloodsucker wore a flashy smile and tailored linen suit, the top three buttons of his shirt left open to reveal his muscled chest. Rings adorned the hand he rested on the stone railing, and his manicured nails and gelled curls screamed pomp.
A pretty brunette hung off his arm like the year’s newest fashion accessory, and more groupies hovered behind.
Everything about him and the entire place revolted me.
“Welcome to my home, my friends. Please make yourselves comfortable and enjoy the refreshments while you peruse the pieces and people on sale tonight. The auction will begin at the top of the hour, and as always, I promise this night will be one to remember.”
For one moment, before he turned away, his eyes rested on us. But I knew it wasn’t me he was looking at. His gaze was lecherous and made me want to throttle him.
I grabbed a glass of tequila from a passing waiter and downed it while Damian broke off to find the brooch.
“Nervous?” Savannah raised her brows as she took a sip of champagne. Several men around us were watching her closely, and the scent of their lust burned in my throat. My muscles tensed.
“I’m eager to get what we came for and to get you out of here,” I said as I felt the heat of the room’s eyes on her.
What Alejandro noticed, everyone noticed.
My wolf struggled in my chest.
Savannah’s eyes dilated, and I knew she’d sensed the change in my signature. She gave me a sly grin. “What are you worried about, Jaxson? Alejandro? Or the other men?”
And why shouldn’t I be?
My mate was a feast for the eyes. Fiery and beautiful, and more than any man could tame. But she hadn’t accepted our bond and did whatever she wanted, unpredictable as an autumn leaf on the wind.
I couldn’t stand being so close to her and not having her.
“You are my mate, and my wolf is the jealous type.” I stepped closer, pressing my hand to her lower back, causing a shiver to work down her spine. Blood flushed her cheeks, while for me, it travelled somewhere else.
Almost instantly, she clamped down the overwhelming scents of her delight and arousal and fixed me with an iron stare. “I’m not yours, Jaxson. I am my own.”
She tilted her glass back to down the last of her drink, and the pale skin on her exposed throat drew me helplessly in. “You have no more claim on me than anyone here. Now, I’m going to go look at the things that are available for sale.”
With that, she snatched another glass from the waiter and pushed into the crowd.