I try to pull away, but my body won’t cooperate.
Julian’s voice shifts from tender to something sharper, more sinister. “No one touches what’s mine,” he says, and I hear the smile in his voice. “Unless I want them to.”
“Julian…”
“You’re still mine,” he continues, lifting me in his arms as I’m helpless to do anything. “But why should I have all the fun? Other members want a taste too, so you’re going to your new temporary owner.” His laughter cuts through the fog settling over my brain. “You should be proud that so many Consortium members want you. They’ll be disappointed at who I sold you to first.” He cradles my cheek with mock tenderness. “But I told them all to be patient—they’ll get their turns soon.”
“Julian,” I manage again, more breath than sound.
He carries me toward the door. “Hope the first guy doesn’t ruin you too much.”
Even now, some part of me hopes this is another nightmare—a trick my mind plays in its drugged state—but the heaviness is too real, pressing the air from my lungs. Blood thunders in my skull.
“Julian,” I breathe again before the world goes black.
Julian…
Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian.Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian. Julian.
Julian.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
DANTE
The monitor’s blue glow casts shadows across my office. Using my keyboard controls, I adjust the camera angle slightly, leaning forward to observe her more clearly. Even in this drugged state, sprawled unconscious across silk sheets, she maintains a certain dignity that I find… admirable.
Aurelia Draven. The Golden One.
Her beauty is truly undeniable. The delicate curve of her neck, the flutter of her eyelids as she dreams—likely nightmares, given her circumstances. Yet it’s her resilience that captivates me.
Admittedly, I find a certain satisfaction in watching her chest rise and fall with each breath. Controlled. Measured.
Mine.
The door opens with a soft click, interrupting my observations. I don’t turn; there’s only one person who would enter without knocking.
“Still sleeping?” Lorenzo asks, approaching my desk to gaze at the monitor.
I lean back in my chair, steepling my fingers beneath my chin. “Yes. The Harrow heir administered too high a dose.” My tone remains neutral, though the carelessness of Julian’s actions stirs something unpleasant within me. “Precisely what one might expect from someone with more emotion than strategy.”
Lorenzo chuckles, running a hand through his golden waves. “This proved easier than anticipated. I prepared a negotiation strategy, yet Julian approached me out of the blue. What a surprise that was. Rather convenient, wouldn’t you say?”
“Truly.” I tap my index fingers together thoughtfully. “Our plan proceeded better than expected. Though the Harrow family has always been prone to impulsivity—save for Adrian, of course.”
Lorenzo chuckles as he catches my side glance. “Well, it’s fortunate you have me as your connection to the Consortium.” He adjusts his cufflinks. “Without someone on the inside, acquiring the Golden One would’ve been considerably more challenging for you.”
I nod once, acknowledging the truth in his statement. “Julian still requested a substantial sum.”
“Yes. More than I had hoped. But I’ll manage. I’m simply pleased I could secure her for you.”
“You’ve been helpful in more ways than one,” I reply. “I owe you a significant debt.”
A smile curves his lips, and there’s a playful spark to his gaze. “Fair warning—I’ll collect on that someday.”
We share a laugh, though mine feels mechanical andpracticed. Neither of us truly finds humor in this exchange of promises. In our world, debts are binding contracts written in blood.
I turn back to the monitor, studying Aurelia’s peaceful face once more. “Have someone bring her breakfast when she wakes. Clean clothes as well.” I cross my arms and allow myself an actual smile. “I wish to meet my golden prize properly. Soon.”
