The Auction (Club Indulgence Duet, #1)(94)

My stomach churns. Her body is way too thin. I can feel her bones.

She slurs, "Did he force you to do those things?"

"What things?" I question, tearing my eyes off hers and locking them on Riggs.

"Shut up, Madelyn!" Riggs orders.

My belly quivers. I lock eyes with him, demanding, "What are they talking about?"

"Nothing. They're drunk."

"Don't lie to me, Riggs."

My father shoves his phone at me. "Have a look yourself."

Riggs snaps it out of my hand. "I'm calling security. Neither of you are staying."

Anger fills me. My voice shakes, and my eyes fill with tears. "What did you do?"

"Everything's under control. I'm sorry they're here. I'll have them removed," he replies.

Rage tornadoes through me. I try to control my wavering voice, insisting, "Tell me now what you've done."

"Pet—"

"Did you send footage of me to my father?" I interrogate.

His eyes fill with guilt. He tries to hide it, but I know him.

I brush past him, warning, "Stay away from me." I walk as quickly as possible in the stilettos toward the main door.

"Blakely!" Riggs shouts, following me.

"Baby," my mother shrieks again.

The entire room turns quieter, and eyes follow me. I push through the crowd and step outside.

"Blakely," Riggs calls again.

I tear down the steps, past the media, who scream at me.

Noah's getting out of his car. I call out, "Noah!"

He assesses the situation, then meets me a few steps from the car. He ushers me into the backseat. "Get in."

"Blakely!" Riggs shouts again.

I slide into Noah's backseat, and he follows.

Riggs pounds on the window, and the driver takes off.

We weave in and out of the L.A. streets as more shock fills me.

I need to find out what Riggs sent them.

How could he do this?

No. My father has to be lying.

Riggs is capable of anything.

My gut flips faster.

Noah quietly asks, "Blakely, what's going on?"

I stay quiet, fighting tears.

"Blakely?" Noah asks again.

I blurt out, "I need you to take me to Malibu."

"Why there?"

"I need to go home before Riggs gets there. Can you take me?"

"Sure," he agrees and pushes the button for the divider. He tells the driver, "Malibu. Blakely, what's the address?"

I state it, then Noah puts the divider window up.

"What did Riggs do?"

I don't answer, just shake my head and turn toward the window, doing my best to hold in my tears.

When we pull up to the gate, I order, "Stay here, please." I get out, put my hand on the screen, and the side door opens. I get through the gate, then put my hand on the alarm for the house and go directly to the bedroom.

I grab a suitcase out of the closet, open it, and toss a few outfits inside. I go into the bathroom and gather my toiletries. Then I slide it into the zippered pocket of the suitcase.

My hand hits something. I pull it out, and the hairs on my arms rise. It's a burner phone, similar to the one Riggs gave me.

My gut tells me to turn it on. I push the button, and my stomach pitches. There's only one number on it. It's my father's.

I scroll through the text messages, feeling more ill with each one. My voice fills the air, and my face and body appear in multiple audio and video clips.

How could he?

My father's angry, threatening messages and Riggs's taunting ones all become blurry.

"I can explain everything." Riggs's voice tears my eyes off the phone.

I feel nauseous. My voice shakes, and I seethe, "Don't you dare."

"Pet..."

"Don't ever call me that again."

He shuts his mouth. For the first time, I see fear in his eyes.

I swallow down bile, toss the phone in the suitcase, and zip it up.

He closes the gap between us and tugs me into him.

I push him away. "Do not touch me!"

"Blakely, let's discuss this!"

I shove him as hard as I can. Tears stream down my cheeks.

He stumbles back, and I bolt past him. He follows me, demanding. "Blakely, wait!"

I carry the suitcase out of the house, and he grabs my arm.

"Stop!" I scream.

He keeps his grip on me.

I hiss, "I said stop. At least abide by my safe word."

He freezes. Shock fills his features.

I retreat, walking backward, claiming, "I trusted you."

"You need to let me explain."

"Explain? Explain what? That you sent intimate things to my father? That you used me for revenge? Is that why you married me?" I accuse, my heart breaking at the thought.

"No, of course not. I love you," he declares.

A sad laugh bursts out of me. I assert, "You don't know what love is, Riggs. Stay away from me." I step through the gate door.

"Blakely." He grabs my arm again.

I angrily spin and jab my finger into his chest. "I said stop."

He clenches his jaw, then quietly begs, "Don't do this, pet."