Benefield doesn’t have your best interests in mind. He cares only for himself.”
“He cares for me.”
“Is that so?”
“It is.”
“I find myself drawn to you. If I placed a bid on you, what would he do? If the price is right, he’ll give you to me.”
“No.” I gulp and put on my bravest face. “He wouldn’t do that. I’m not for sale, Mr. S.”
It’s a lie, and he told me he can tell when I lie. I can’t hide my true feelings, although I try. I need to tread lightly here, considering the interest Max displays in me and the unpredictability Benefield presents. Honestly, despite the depravity such a thing means, I’d jump at it. From the frying pan into the fire, who’s to say Max is any worse than Benefield? But that’s not something I can risk my life on.
“He most definitely would.”
“Benefield will never let me go.” That’s the absolute truth. I’m never leaving this place alive.
“Benefield?”
“Tomas. I mean Tomas.”
“I see. At last, I understand.”
“You understand, what?”
“I don’t know what deal you struck with Benefield, but you don’t belong here. Good thing I’m here.”
“And why is that?”
“Because, I’m going to get you out of this place.” His eyes narrow and blaze with fire.
It’s a punch in the gut and a reminder. The men here, all of them, only ever look at me as a thing to have. To take and claim. Hurt and destroy. Max is no different. He just laid it on the line. He wants me. He desires me. And he’ll do whatever it takes to have me.
Unwittingly, Max signs my death warrant. He doesn’t understand that Benefield never relinquishes his toys.
Never.
I’m a dead woman walking.
Although, Max makes me believe there’s life beyond these walls, his interest consigns me to death.
I pull back from his touch and drop my gaze. “I’m sorry if I’ve given you any reason to think otherwise, but I truly am here by my choice. My place is by Tomas’ side.”
“You’re very convincing, but I don’t believe you. Given the chance to be free of this place, would you take it?”
That path leads to death.
I’d rather stay with the monster I know than leave with the one I don’t.
“That is not for me to say.” A tear makes its way past my defenses. It pools in my eye and trickles down my cheek. “My place is here.”
Max brushes the pad of his thumb over my cheek, catching my tear. He puts his thumb to his lips and sucks away the salty essence. I want to grab his hand and demand he return my tear. He has no right to it.
“You don’t belong here,” he says.
“And yet, here I am. Didn’t we have this talk already?”
“What do you mean?” His brows pinch with confusion.
“Men crave beautiful things. They put them in cages to keep them safe from the world, without realizing they destroy what they aim to protect.”
I firm my chin and wrap my protective inner armor back around myself. Max gets under my skin. I lower my barriers when I’m with him, letting him see the weakness within me. Pain hitches in my chest as I turn away.
Max’s arm shoots out. He grabs me and spins me around until I face him.
He’s tall, massive, undeniably male, and I react to the potent swirl of masculinity engulfing me. His intoxicating scent hits my sensory receptors. Male. Virile masculinity. Power. Control. It’s an aphrodisiac I can’t escape.
“Some men set those they love free,” he says, “hoping they will one day return. Not all men are monsters.”
“The men who come here are.” There, I said it. I called him a monster.
“I would never put you in a gilded cage.”
No, but you would buy me and take my freedom. “I’m not for sale, Mr. S, but there are plenty of girls here who are.”
Max makes me believe he can protect me. He makes me believe I’ll find shelter in his arms. God forbid, he makes me believe he will rescue me.
I can’t help but dream.
His masculine aroma slams into me. I try to turn away. I try to fight biology on its most primal level, but Max holds me tight in his grip.
I should shout, or scream. Only nobody will come to my aid. Not in this place. Not where such sounds are a part of business as usual. Only, I don’t shout. I don’t scream.
I need to believe, if only for a moment, that this man might care for me, even if it’s not true. I