Perhaps if I stayed where I was long enough, the tide would take me out to sea.
Anything was better than what I’d heard.
Cameron’s voice was a snarl, a growl. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
My words barely formed. “Curtis brought me.” I was paralyzed from his stare.
In seconds Cameron had gone from shocked to enraged, yet it was Mr. Knapp who spoke. “She’s going to be at auction tonight.”
My stomach twisted as my circulation settled.
“What the hell do you mean?”
Swallowing, I lowered my eyes as Mr. Knapp replied, “We pride ourselves on the island to fulfill your deepest fantasy, Mr. Kidwell.”
“Bri.” Curtis appeared behind me, reaching for my hand.
I spun toward him, my volume low and words sharp. “How. Could. You?”
“Baby, you’ve got to believe me, the last person I expected to see here was Cameron. Fucking wannabe. He’s probably down here as Gabriel Miller’s errand boy.”
“I don’t care why he’s here. He’s here. You said no one would know me.” I tipped my chin toward Mr. Knapp standing on the porch. “He invited Cameron, for some sick game...” I let out a long breath. “I refuse.”
Curtis’s hand teased the length of my chestnut hair. “Remember, it’s only a show. They can’t really sell people. That’s not legal.”
“I have the feeling that legality isn’t the rule of this island.”
I reached for Curtis’s hand. “Listen, I’ll call Louisa. Remember, I told you about her. I’ll get a connection to Mr. Sparrow—”
With his free hand, Curtis placed his finger on my lips. “Stop it, Briana.” His tone cooled, returning the chill to my skin. “I’m not exchanging one mob’s money for another’s. How fucking hard is it for you to understand this? Hell, I’d stand up there myself if I could make the money, but I can’t. You said you would do this. We signed on the dotted line. There’s no turning back now.”
Letting go of Curtis’s hand, I lifted my chin high and walked to where the porch and sand met. “Mr. Knapp. How much money are we trying to raise?”
His thin lips curled. The way he was looking at me made my stomach turn. “Little lady, I am confident that the right price will be reached.”
I knew it was a stretch, but if Curtis wouldn’t ask for the Sparrows’ help, I would. I stood taller. “I don’t understand how any of this works, but I want you to know that no matter what the winning bid is, I will not only match it, I’ll exceed it.”
“Briana,” Curtis said my name as a reprimand.
Mr. Knapp’s smile grew. “My, she’s a feisty one.” He looked to Curtis. “Yes, I have no doubt that your goal will be obtained.” Before I could speak, Booker turned to me. “Little lady, I’d suspect if you indeed had that kind of expendable capital, you wouldn’t be where you are at this moment.”
I refused to look away. “I can get it.”
He turned to Curtis. “I’ll have a dinner brought to your cabin. Have her fully prepared. There is a cape hanging in the closet.” He turned to me. “Wearing anything else is your option. Just know, once you’re on display, everything will be removed. Our buyers want to get a good look at the merchandise.”
“I’m serious,” I said. “I have a connection. I can get the money.”
The slime winked.
He had the audacity to wink.
“I may have to get in on this bidding. I enjoy spunk, when it’s harnessed in the right direction.”
Harnessed.
“Mr. Kidwell, assure me that you and Ms. Pierce will be up at the mansion at eight p.m.”
“We won’t back out on this, I promise you.”
I stood silently as Curtis walked Mr. Knapp through the cabin and to the door. When he returned, my head was shaking. “You bastard. You expect me to sleep with someone.” I lifted my left hand and pulled the diamond ring from my fourth finger. With a quick spin, I turned toward the water and threw the platinum and diamond symbol that no longer mattered.
“Fucking Christ.” He seized my wrist. “Do you know how much that cost?”
“Our future if you choose to go on with this. Get me back to Detroit tonight and we might have a chance.”
“Oh, no. You’re going to do this. You’ll either walk up on that fucking stage with a shred of dignity or I’ll carry you up there. Fuck, I’ll hog-tie you if I have to.”
“Who the hell are you? Why do you care so much that I do this?”