When the other man finally realises Lea is dead—when he sees the blood smeared across his dick from where her body gave out—he recoils in disgust.
He stands, muttering curses, wiping himself off on the sheets like she’s nothing more than a mess to be cleaned up.
He doesn’t even look at her. Doesn’t look at me. Just grumbles about the money he’s wasted and walks out, leaving the door swinging behind him.
And then it’s just us.
Me and her.
Alone in the silence that follows horror.
I stare at her, willing her to move, to blink, to breathe. To do something other than stare at me with failure written all over her face.
But she doesn’t.
She won’t.
Blood stains her skin in deep crimson streaks, pooling beneath her, dripping off the edge of the mattress. Her body lies twisted, bent in a way no living person could endure.
She looks so small. And she’s so fucking still.
“I’m sorry, Lea,” I whisper, the words breaking apart in my throat.
I can’t reach her.
Can’t hold her.
But there she lies—arm outstretched from the bed, hanging limp. And all I can do is lie here—bound and broken—and drown in the truth of what I didn’t do.
I didn’t save her.
And now she’s gone.
46
Cam
I stare at the reflection in the mirror—a man I barely recognise.
It’s the same suit I wore to the last auction, but everything feels wrong. I know what I’m about to do, and I know what’s at stake, but I’m doing it all for her.
The scar slicing down the left side of my face is healing, but it still burns like a brand—a permanent reminder of the moment I failed Nell.
My truth is my punishment.
One eye remains the warm brown I’ve always known. The other, clouded and pale, stares back like it belongs to someone else.
I’m starting to get used to it though. I’ve begun to accept that this is who I am now.
What I’ve become.
Everything is ready, all I’ve got to do is play the part now. Then tonight, after the auction I’m going in to get Nell back. And if I find her, I’m not coming back empty handed.
Everything’s in place.
The suit fits. The forged credentials are flawless. The earpiece is silent—for now.
All I have to do is play the part.
