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Before Weston can crush my wrist with another squeeze, I dig my phone out of my clutch and slip it into the bag.

I expect a ticket, a number,anythingto help me claim it at the end of the night, but the man averts his gaze in a silent dismissal.

Then Weston is pulling me alongside him up the grand staircase.

I should have texted Indigo when we were in the car.

I should have said I left it in the car.

I just got that damn phone.

It doesn’t matter that it’s eight years old and refurbished. It’smine.

Those thoughts distract me from the reality of mybrother hauling me up the stairs and into a room just off the landing.

As soon as my feet cross the threshold, he slams the door, rounding on me.

The ornate chandelier illuminates the room in a soft glow I’m thankful for. Because after everything I’ve been through today, harsh overhead lights would tip me over the edge.

I’m taking inventory of the room, admiring the leather sofa and single bookshelf when Weston crowds my space. He stands in front of me. Almost eye level because of my heels. His fair brown skin is splotchy and red, a sheen of sweat appearing from simply climbing the stairs.

If it were anyone else, I’d be concerned.

But…

Clasping my hands in front of me, I stare back at him without blinking.

“Hear me when I say this, I don’t care what you’ve been up to for the past year. I don’t care if you’re still a virgin or not. But for fuck’s sake, don’t tell anybody you aren’t.”

“I—”

“I’m not done.” There’s so much hate in his voice it makes my skin crawl. “It’s a silent auction. You won’t be on stage.” He pauses as if I should find relief with that news. “We’ll find out who it is at the end of the night. He gets you for an hour. He settles the bill. We go home.”

An hour? Can I last an hour with a man?

He settles the bill. We go home.

His eyes rake over me before he sucks his teeth. His forehead wrinkles as he spits out, “What is this dress? Fuck, can’t you do anything right?”

I flinch when he hooks a hand under the thin strap of Indigo’s dress. I love this dress. Indigo wasright. It fits me like a glove. And I didn’t know he was bringing me here to sell my supposed innocence.

“You look like a fucking slut, Delilah.”

Rage simmers beneath the surface of my skin, but I know I can’t do anything here.

If this is the price for what I did…

It’s just tonight, I remind myself. One night is nothing compared to the twenty-five years I spent in that house with them.

After this, I’ll never see my brother or the man he auctions me to again. This is it. I’m not letting him hold what I did over my head anymore. We’re even. We better be.

“Say we’re even after this,” I demand.

He pushes an amused breath through his nose. “Look at you, making demands.”

“Say it, Weston.”

His jaw hardens before he gives a subtle nod. “You do this and we’re even. You’ll never have to hear from me again.”