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I take another bite, starting to feel better for eating. Like everything isn’t quite so dire. “You don’t think financial stability provides a certain measure of…” I search for the word.

He sighs. “Financial stability provides stability period. Something I went without as I moved through young adulthood. My family was the picture of wealth then, but it was mostly an illusion. With my brothers’ help, I have built Smith Brothers to provide for both the dukedom, and our individual futures.”

“It’s a lot of responsibility.”

His brows lift. “Something you understand better than most.”

I shake my head. “Not like you, I fight for Darius’s life, but I haven’t figured out how to provide us with stability, except for maybe the apartment.” I set down the shrimp again.

“You know how to love him, at least. That is something I’ve struggled with.” My head snaps up as I stare at him.

“What do you mean?”

“I like working, I can’t imagine my life any other way, but…” He looks out at the sun, the last rays filling the sky. “But I’ve been struggling to connect with my brothers. I’ve been resentful as they…”

“What?” I ask as I reach my hand across the tray.

He takes my fingers in his and then brings my palm to his lips. “They seem to be happier. Better adjusted.”

I understand what he’s saying. “You’re the second oldest?”

“I am, but my oldest brother was gone most of the time, off at boarding schools which left me with the burden of—” He stops, grimacing. “I’ve talked enough.”

I shake my head. “The responsibility feels like a weight that is too heavy to bear sometimes. I get it.”

I pull my palm from his hand and eat another bite of the shrimp and then hand it back to him, eating more of the yogurt and the fruit. By the time I’m done, the trauma of the auction feels further away.

Nothing happened to me. Triston took on the responsibility of saving me…

My chest tightens.

He’s like that. The question is, how do I even begin to repay him?

I’ve got a few ideas.

I grab the tray and then shimmy out of the bed, carrying it back to the table he rested it on before. Then I reach for my bag, digging out my toothbrush.

Triston watches me, as I start for the bathroom. I’m in nothing but his T-shirt, most of my legs on display. As I reach the door, I turn back to him. “I’ll be right back.”

But I hear him get up and walk across the floor. I pause, intending to go to the bathroom and brush my teeth.

Triston has seen me all kinds of naked, but there is something about peeing… “Triston,” I gasp as he steps into the bathroom, “I need to?—”

His stance widens as his arms cross. “Tonight, you’re mine, Honeyeh. If I want to watch you use the head, I will.”

My mouth opens to protest, but then I close it again. Swallowing down a lump, I set my toothbrush on the sink and then I move to the toilet.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Triston

WatchingHoneyeh go to the bathroom has my cock hard in a second.

To be fair, it was half hard already just watching her cross the room.

And no, I’m not one of those fetish guys. First, I like that Honeyeh does what I ask of her, without a word of complaint. That’s part of the appeal.

I don’t want a weak woman, and Honeyeh isn’t. But she’s so responsive to me, to my every touch or request.