Chapter 49
CHAPTER 49
NORTH CAROLINA
A dria looked out her car window. The wind buffeted against her vehicle, and she watched the trees fold under its strength. The funeral had been impressively beautiful. Elegant, subtle and final. Just like Loretta.
“We are here, Miss,” Eric said from the driver’s seat.
Adria just sat there.
“Can we drive around the block one more time?”
She heard him taking off his seatbelt and twisting to look at her. No doubt trying to get a better look at her condition.
“We have already been around the block four times.”
She didn’t reply. She hated that she couldn’t threaten to belt him. Submissive relationships were so much easier than regular ones.
Most people had friends to tell them the hard stuff.
Loretta was a friend.
Friends were a liability.
Adria ignored Eric and stared into her home. Worst of all was what waited for her inside. Adria didn’t even know what to call them. Well past captives, they weren’t inventory or paid submissives .
All Adria knew is she couldn’t stand the thought of seeing them.
She looked at her front door. Would Kaydon be inside, waiting to pull her into a big hug? She imagined Seth’s face, ready to take on the world for her, and then there was Bryson. What version of him would she get?
“Do you want me to get rid of them; put them in their rooms for the night?”
“You think I can’t handle them myself?” she snapped.
Eric looked forward, his face a mask of seriousness. “It’s late, and I’m not going around the block anymore. So, either you get out of the car on your own, or I’ll carry you out. Your choice.” And with that, he turned the key and took it out of the ignition.
He wouldn’t.
She watched as he rolled up his sleeves, making his way to the back of the car. She pushed the door open, nearly hitting him as he approached. Bringing her coat close, she stomped past him.
Adria expected to see three sets of eyes on her when she opened the foyer door, but it was empty. She checked the kitchens and found a single dinner plate laid out for her on the counter, but otherwise there was no sign of them.
The next day unfolded in silence.
The boys had been making themselves scarce, and—for once—even Eric gave her space. She could’ve called them. Could’ve tracked them down, but she welcomed the quiet.
Tomorrow was the auction.
She told herself the time alone was to think, to plan. Compartmentalize. She was good at that. A lifetime of practice. Auction first—then feel.
Except thinking about the auction was the exact thing she didn’t want to do.
Every time she tried, her mind conjured the image of a black-tinted sedan pulling away from the house, disappearing down the long drive.
Just like it had with Cole.
Only this time, her chest tightened. Her heart clenched like a fist, aching in a deep, widening hole she couldn’t patch over.
X continued to push his agenda.
Vega wanted to buy the brothers. And was even was willing to give her a new piece of land on top of sabotaging Callen’s. It was a generous offer.
More than generous. It was everything she needed, perfectly timed.
But something about it didn’t feel right.
Jonathan, thankfully left her alone.
And then there was Bryson. It must be a talent to be so incredibly frustrating. Could he have run from that kitchen any faster? She might as well have proposed marriage and babies, the way he bolted.
That was the problem.
She’d grown comfortable with them. With him. All three of them.
It was unfamiliar—this creeping sense of safety. She wasn’t built for it. No one in the Nine was. And Bryson had reminded her of that. That safety could melt—just like the Rocky Road they’d shared—sweet and fleeting.
Steam curled through the bathroom, softening the sharp corners of her thoughts. Stepping out of the shower, her skin tingled from the heat as she embraced herself in a plush, white towel, feeling its softness against her flushed body. With a delicate touch, she traced her hand across the foggy mirror, leaving a trail of condensation behind.
A clear streak appeared in the condensation, but her reflection stayed blurry—distorted.
Much like everything else.
Her phone vibrated.
Frances: I have a few updated guests for tomorrow’s auction.
Adria scanned the names. There were a few unknowns, but no big surprises.
That’s fine, if they are vetted
send them the info.
Three dots appeared before Adria even sent her last text.
Frances: Thank you again, for letting me step in and assist with this auction.
Loretta saw promise in you and so do I.
Adria set her phone down. Hands shaking, she grabbed the counter .
“Get a fucking grip, Adria,” she said to the woman in the mirror.
“You have moved stable boys hundreds of times. What’s one more?”
The woman in the mirror didn’t look convinced. “If you keep these boys, you are all dead. So put your big girl panties on, go out there, and get the fucking job done.”
Green eyes stared back at her.
“What if I can’t?” she whispered.
Moving into the cooler bedroom, she got dressed. Stockings, pencil skirt and a deep-red blouse. She laced up her over-the-knee boots and steeled herself. She could do this.
She had to.
She sent a text to Eric.
Dinner tonight. Let the boys know, 7pm.
…
Eric: Anything in particular?
You choose.
Moving past her office, she opened the door and froze. Standing in the hallway were Kaydon, Seth, and Bryson. The three of them leaning against the wall, opposite her door. Adria had to grab onto the door frame for support. Bryson stood in the middle, donning his own top energy, and his hungry eyes were looking directly at her.