Page 113 of Ruthless Chaos

There’s only so much they can do until the risk becomes too much. I will take what comes, and fight tooth and nail.

Even if the Empire falls because of this, I still have all the money my mother left me.

When I become a member of the Kingmaker Society, I can rebuild something better—something that’s actually mine.

I push Ezra off me, red bleeding into the edges of my vision.

I’m thirsty for blood.

But he’s on my again, this time with a stronger grip.

We’re right near the edge of the auditorium, scuffling under the shadow of the hallway. We’re not visible to anyone in the audience yet.

I want to use that to my advantage.

“Think about what you’re going to do. You can’t kill her,” Ezra says, his voice tinged with urgency. It’s unlike him to dissuade me from killing someone.

He usually doesn’t need convincing.

“Why?” I ask through gritted teeth.

“Look around, dumbass,” he says, gesturing to the crowd. “If these sickos are friends of my father’s, they’re the real puppet masters. There might even be a member of The Society here.” He jabs a finger in my chest. “You’re Head Kingmakerandyou’re trying to get in with them. How the fuck do you think you’ll look killing Duchess Audrey Coldwell’s daughterin front of them?”

I guess they wouldn’t appreciate seeing Cassidy’s brain splattered on the curtains.

That doesn’t solve my immediate problem.

I need to get Allie off that stage and in my arms, where she belongs.

“So, you expect me to just stand here while they auction her off?”

I have a headache. My patience is nonexistent. Ezra’s sadistic nature allows him to stay calm in situations like this, but I don’t want Allie to endure a second more.

She’s already been through enough.

“No,” Ezra says, pointing to an attendant standing in the aisle. “Just win the fucking auction and get her out of here. It’s the only way you can help her without making a scene.” His eyes flicker to the stage. “I’ll buy one too, so she doesn’t end up with these nonces.”

I didn’t even consider the other two girls.

“See if you can get Vance down here,” I say. “For the other one.”

Ezra nods.

I prefer my idea of shooting this place up, but there’s wisdom in what Ezra said. I don’t know who these guys are—I could be trashing my chances of becoming a part of The Society.

I put my gun away and walk up to an attendant.

I pluck an auction bid paddle from his grip and find a seat in the back of the room. Cassidy starts the bidding at $100.

Somebody calls out one thousand dollars.

Another bid brings it to one thousand five hundred dollars.

I’m sick to my stomach that they’re trying to put a price on Allie. She’s priceless. Participating in this fucked up auction goes against what I believe in.

But it’s the tactical thing to do.

I need this to be over quickly.