Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
“You’ll have a better chance of securing your mate,” he says as he runs the cigar through his fingers, “if you have seven million dollars in your hand.”
I grit my teeth as I glare at him. “You said eight million.”
“That was before,” he says with a grin. “The offer is now back to seven.”
My whole body flexes tight as I glare at him. I can’t sell my ranch. But I can’t let my mate go either.
“Seven and a half,” I growl.
He leaps up from his chair and shakes my hand. “Deal. I’ll have my attorneys handle the paperwork and you’ll have your money before the auction starts.”
My head is spinning as he sits back down and lights his cigar in triumph.
I’m going to lose my land… The land my grandfather settled and my father grew up on. The land I adore and hoped to leave to my children one day.
But it doesn’t matter. My mate is all that matters.
I won’t have any children to pass on my legacy to without her anyway.
My father would understand. My grandfather too. They were both Kodiak bear shifters as well and would have done anything for their mates.
I don’t need my ranch if I have her. Hell, I’d live in an abandoned haunted house if it meant being able to wrap my protective arms around her every night.
I stare at the picture as thick cigar smoke billows into the air.
“You can keep that,” Novak says as he ashes into the huge crystal ashtray on his desk. “And good luck at the auction. I hope nobody outbids you.”
My stomach drops as I fold the paper, being careful not to crease her picture, and stuff it into my back pocket.
“Now go pack your shit,” he says with a sneer. “I want you out of that house and off my land before the first little slut struts onto that auction stage.”
My bear snarls as I squeeze my hand into a fist, wanting to slam it into his fucking face. But I need that money more than I need to teach this piece of shit a lesson.
With a huff of breath, I turn and storm out of the trailer, slamming the door as I leave.
When the fresh mountain air hits me, I take a deep breath and look at the photo one more time.
She’s incredible. She’ll soon be mine.
I don’t know where in the world she is, but she’ll be in my arms soon.
And nothing else will matter.
Chapter Three
Ava
“Are you nervous?” the red headed girl sitting at the vanity next to mine asks. I’m touching up my makeup, but I’m not sure why. The professional makeup artists did an amazing job. So did the hair stylist. I’ve never looked so beautiful. I didn’t even realize I could look like this.
“Yeah,” I say as my stomach flips and turns. “This felt like a good idea at the time, but now…”
“I know, right?” she says. “I was thinking that a handsome European prince would bid on me, but now I’m worried about some weirdo creep who still can’t get laid even though he’s a billionaire getting his grubby hands on me.” She shivers at the thought. “My mother always says that I see life through rose-colored glasses. She also says that I watch too many Disney movies.”
I smile as I look at her. She’s gorgeous. She’ll probably have the highest bids out of all of us.
“I’m doing this for her,” she says as she gets a little misty eyed. “She has cancer and the bills are getting out of control. I already sent her the money we got.”
“I’m sorry,” I say as we share a moment. “What’s your name?”
“Trinity, and you?”
“Ava.”
“Let’s hope there’s enough hot rich princes in the audience for all of us,” she says with a smile. I feel a little better now. Less alone.
It’s been a hell of a terrifying ride so far. If this is what adventure is then give me back my safe little boring life at the library. I don’t think I’m made for this much uncertainty.
The auction house flew me out to Manhattan for a few days where they put me up in a gorgeous hotel suite near Times Square. I had a photoshoot for the invitation, which was a blast and then I got paid. One million dollars.
It’s just sitting in my bank account and I have no idea what to do with it.
All I’ve done so far is open it every now and then and stare at the big number in awe.
“I love your dress,” Trinity says as she looks me over.
“Oh, thanks,” I say, feeling beautiful yet ridiculous at the same time. It’s a huge pink evening gown that drags along the ground behind me. It’s a stunning dress, but wildly impractical. I need a team of assistants following me around to lift it over objects and carry it up stairs. “You look great too.”