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This isn’t how the initiation auction is supposed to go. The buyers aren’t supposed to raise their voices like Camden encouraged them to. We’re not some cheap, lowlife establishment.

Worse still. No one treats Ophelia as if she’s a property. No one but me.

Another step.

“Quiet.” Topher gives me the bare, minimal hope that he’s realized his mistake. His free hand slices through the air. The crowd falls into silence.

As do I. On the inside, though, I’m boiling. Shouting at him to get the hell away from her.

I’ve never been this possessive. This infuriated. A rope cinches my lungs.

My hands burn with the need to grab Ophelia and get her the hell out of here.

“People, please. You’re better than this,” he continues. “This shouting. It’s unacceptable.”

Ophelia sucks in a deep breath. They might not be shouting anymore, but it doesn’t mean the worst is behind her. Not knowing what to expect is killing her. I feel her emotions as if I’m experiencing them myself.

It’s maddening.

“But since one of you will be paying for her…”

My pulse slows. My brain goes in a million directions.

I shouldn’t defend her. Shouldn’t think about how I’d kill anyone who doesn’t treat her well, my son included.

Her pain belongs to me. She belongs to me.

“I’ll do it.” Topher chuckles, and my heart beats louder. “I’ll show you. Ophelia.”

Her eyes squint as she glowers at him.

“You won’t be walking to the exam table.” His hand on her chin is an insult. I’m soaking in butane, ready to detonate at any given moment. “You’ll crawl there. For our entertainment.”

Crawl.

Ophelia on her hands and knees. For them.

Crawl.

Her ass swaying as she moves across the floor.

She’ll be beneath us.

Beneath Topher.

Beneath all. These. People.

Crawl.

“You’re insane.” She seethes.

A man calls out, “Yes! Fight him!”

“Crawl,” he hisses the same word that plays on repeat in my head. “On the ground. Now.”

“Fuck you.” Her escape attempts from his grip are just that. Attempts. As brave as she is, she fails, staying right where he wants her.

I’m not going to let this happen.