Page 74 of The Auction Block

Lily's been gone a week and there's still no word from her. I've barely slept and my body's running on nothing but coffee. Going to work isn't an option most days. Since she left, I can hardly force myself to get out of bed. Thankfully, Caleb's running the business for me, and I'm abusing my power as CEO by staying in my apartment.

I never should've let her leave. Every fiber of my being told me to stop her, but Dresden was right. There's no reasoning with that woman once she's made up her mind. I've never felt this way about anyone. Lily is light and life, and she makes me want to be a better person. I'll never understand why she thinks so badly of herself.

I've been on edge since I woke up this morning, wanting her home. I've felt like a drug addict for the last week. My body craves everything about her. Her touch, her kiss . . . I even miss her smart mouth. I'd give anything for her to walk through my apartment door right now and tell me to shut the fuck up.

"Blake, come shoot some pool," Dresden says yanking me from my inner turmoil.

I blink rapidly, trying to clear my mind. Strolling into my game room, a grin spreads across my face as Vlad tosses me a pool stick.

"You two sure you want to get your asses kicked?"

Dresden laughs heartily. "Keep talking shit, dude."

"We playing Cutthroat?" I move to the far end of the table.

"Of course. And I'm going to kick both your asses," Vlad says racking the balls.

"You wish, fucker. You're going down," Dresden says, setting up the cue ball.

I step back and lean on the pool stick as Dresden breaks. They're both good players. The three of us, and Rhett, have used this as a means of distraction for the last several days. Jameson joins us occasionally, but mostly he sits staring at his cell phone. I’m pretty sure he’s hoping she’ll call, or that someone will and tell us something— anything. Jax and Sammi stay in their offices, and rarely come out, while Hayato has spent the last week hacking every communications tower he can hit, trying to get a bead on her whereabouts. They may act as if they're okay, but I know Lily's lack of communication has them on edge, maybe even more so than me.

†††

Two games later, Vlad's agitated and ready to hit one of us with his stick. I won the first game and Dresden the second, beating me by one ball. I lean down to break as Sammi and Hayato step into the room, Jax closely behind them. My stomach falls as Sammi's eyes fill with tears.

I straighten myself, an overwhelming sense of dread sending chills through my body.

"What's wrong?"

Sammi sniffles, swiping at her eyes. "Jax heard from his informant."

The blood drains out of my face, and I lay my pool stick on the table, taking a step toward them. Teresa comes into the room, standing to the side of the door, her hands behind her back. She stares at the floor, and I shake my head, denying what I know is coming.

"No," I growl.

"We've lost track of her buyer," Hayato whispers, the pain evident in his voice.

My chest tightens, the world going dark around the edges. I focus my anger where it belongs— Jax. He never should've sent her into that goddamn auction in the first place. Without thinking, I barrel forward and slam my right fist into his face.

"This is your fault!"

Strong arms grab mine, pulling me backward. I struggle as Jax straightens himself, wiping blood from his lip. He glares at me, and in this moment, I hate him. I want him out of my house, and for ten cents, I'd kill him if I could get away with it.

"Blake, calm down," Dresden hisses, tightening his grip on my arm.

"No! She's missing and it's his fault. You never should've sent her in there!"

The adrenaline evaporates as quickly as it came on and they sit me on the edge of the pool table. My chest heaves, limbs falling heavy to my sides as all the moments with Lily before she left flash through my memory like a slide show.

"Listen to me," Dresden says, moving to block Jax from view. "She's the single strongest woman I've ever met. She'll get herself out."

I look him in the face and nod. Teresa clears her throat and steps toward us. She holds out a white envelope with my name, written in Lily's handwriting across the front.

"What's this?" I take it from her hands.

"Miss Lily made me promise that if she wasn't back here in one week, I'd give you this letter."

Teresa turns on her heels, a sob spilling from her lips and leaves the room. I stare after her for a moment and then down at the envelope. With shaking hands, I turn it over and open it, pulling out a letter.