Highest Bidder Collection - Lauren Landish Page 0,159

to hold it together for maybe an hour. Hopefully by then we’ll be long gone. “Yes,” I reply, trying to keep the dread out of my voice.

Isaac’s lips draw down into a point as he frowns, but I hardly notice it. Even with dressing down, in just blue jeans, a red sweater, and a worn brother leather coat, he looks hot. His hair is parted and slicked to the side, the scent of his masculine cologne filling the car.

I was surprised when he didn’t wear a suit, but when he brought out the Mazda for us to drive in, I figured he didn’t want to show up looking like he was drowning in cash.

“You will not lie to me, kitten,” he growls, his voice low and dangerous.

I lick my lips. I know I can’t argue with him. “I’m terrified,” I admit. “I really don’t want to do this.”

Isaac shakes his head. “I know you don’t. But you will. Do you understand?” His voice is firm, indicating that he’ll accept nothing less than my perfect obedience.

I hate it, but I force myself to nod, not trusting myself to speak.

Isaac stares at me, the intense look in his beautiful green eyes making me squirm. “You will engage in every conversation that’s initiated, and you will answer honestly. Even questions you find make you emotional. The only exception is questions about us.”

I hold in a groan. Oh God, why is he doing this to me? I can lie about the two of us, but everything else that makes the pit of my stomach churn is fair game? Does he want me to cry? 'Cause that’s exactly what’s going to happen. I know it. I’m tired of crying. I’ve never wanted to defy him more than in this moment. But I don’t. “Yes, Master,” I reply, barely able to keep the tremor out of my voice.

I can’t take staring into his stern gaze, so I look back over to my family home.

My mother refused to leave it after I was taken. She had deluded herself into thinking I’d come home somehow. Like one day I’d just appear for her, but if she moved, I wouldn’t be able to find my way back to her. Bless her heart.

Thinking about it causes tears to form in my eyes, and I fucking hate it. I hate that I feel so raw still. I’ve been on a roller coaster of emotions the past week, feeling as though I’m invincible and then completely raw and vulnerable. I don’t know what I am, but right now I know I don’t want to do this shit. It’s just too much, all at once. Why can’t Isaac see that?

“Text your mother,” Isaac says, taking my hand and gently kissing the back of it. His tone has softened, and he seems to recognize how terrified I am. But he’s still going to make me go in there when I don’t want to. “You’re going to be perfect for me, kitten,” he reassures me in an attempt to boost my confidence, and giving my hand a slight squeeze. “Trust me, you can do this. You will do this.”

I want to tell him no, tell him that I can’t do this. I don’t want to have to face my mother, to have to be reminded of the pain I caused her. But looking at Isaac, I know there's only one answer he’ll accept. “Yes, Master,” I whisper.

“Katia!” As soon as I walk through the door, my mother is pulling me into her arms, gripping me into a fierce bear hug. I’m already filled with anxiety, so I can hardly breathe as she squeezes me and kisses me, telling me she loves me and how much she’s missed me over and over.

“I’ve missed you so much, baby!” she cries with tears in her eyes, finally pulling back and allowing me to breathe, giving me a chance to look at her. She looks really nice, dressed up in a tweed skirt suit with heavy makeup on, something that is totally unlike her. I don’t remember her this way at all. She always had pajamas on for most of the day with her hair in a messy bun during the holidays. It was typically even worse on Christmas Day, when she’d have stayed up the whole night before wrapping presents and baking treats for the family.

Today, she looks beautiful.

“I missed you too, Mom,” I say, my voice quavering from emotion.

Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry, I tell myself