Auctioned Mates Revenge
Chapter 25

"What did you just say?"

He took my hand, "After what happened last time, I'm not letting you go alone."

"Who said-"

"So you aren't going to Club Heaven?"

"I didn't say I was going there!"

He tilted his head and looked at me the way someone would look at a child who had been caught with their hand in the cookie jar and pled innocence. He sighed and gestured towards the living room, "Shall we?"

I stepped back, nervous at the way he looked at me. There was a sense of resignation in his eyes that I couldn't place.

"Why... Why are you doing this?"

"I'm not stupid, Renda," he chuckled. "4.8, remember?"

I stepped back again and his eyes widened as if he was surprised that I was wary of him. He sighed and drew a hand through his hair.

"I know you don't want to lean on me," Matt said, "But I want you to."

His gaze was sincere, but his words weren't making any sense.

"Whatever you're after... Whatever you're trying to do, don't you think it would be easier with my help? Isn't that what you approached me for? To use me?" My heart was racing as I stared at him and he smiled.

"I'm giving you free rein to use me. Isn't that a good thing?"

"Are you crazy?" I asked.

"Probably."

I sputtered, "You-You are insane. I could be trying to kill you!"

Matt lifted a shoulder, "Death by your hand would be better than skydiving."

I shook my head. I couldn't understand him. He turned and took my hand, pulling me a bit closer to him and looking down at me.

"I know you don't believe me. I know you don't trust me, but... I accept that you have an ulterior motive... Let me help you before you get hurt."

I pulled away from him, "I can take care of myself."

"Like before at Larry's?" Matt asked with a scoff. "Why is this so hard for you?"

I glared at him. Feeling defensive, I knew this wasn't the best move. I knew this was dangerous. He could be trying to trick me into revealing who I was or planning to kill me either way, but he was pissing me off and getting in the way. "You already own me. What more do you want from me?"

"I don't own you, Renda," Matt shook his head, shuddering. "Though I... I want you to be mine."

I laughed, unable to help myself, "You do own me, Mr. Wallber-"

"Matt," he grunted. "For moon's sake call me, Matt."

"You paid a lot for me. If that isn't owning, I don't know what is."

"I don't own you," Matt said again, his eyes were hard as he looked at me. "Are you coming with me to Club Heaven or not?"

My heart lurched and I turned to look up at him, suspiciously.

"And why are you going there?" I asked, searching his eyes. "Looking for another whore to purchase."

"What did you just say?"

He took my hand, "After what happened last time, I'm not letting you go alone."
"I'm going to sign the paperwork to acquire it."

I froze, "What did you say?"

His lips twitched, "I bought Club Heaven. That's why we're here."

"Why would you do that?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even.

He smirked, "Let's play a game."

I flinched at his words. I heard Alyssa laughing at the back of my mind.

Alpha has a good read on you, Glenda.

I shoved her to the back of my mind as I looked up at Matt, "A game?

He nodded, "No danger involved. I win: we go to Club Heaven together and you let me help you. You tell me what your aim is."

"And if I win?" I asked, my voice tense as every muscle in my body seemed tight.

"Whatever you want. Even if it's my life."

Whatever I wanted was a large thing to promise, but it felt like a trick. If I told him what I wanted, it would give away so much. He'd be able to piece together too much about me and I'd lose my edge. But if I lost, I'd be able to come up with a lie he could believe and I'd still get to go to Club Heaven.

I eyed him. He seemed to simply be watching me, waiting for me to make up my mind, but I couldn't make out what he was thinking.

Was it a trick? Did he make up such a game because he knew it was basically a win for me either way?

"No."

"No?"

"You're not getting anything out of this game. I'd be winning either way."

Matt smiled, his eyes warm and charming, "Then, I'm winning either way."

My heart skipped a beat and I felt my face heat. I scowled at him as he smirked.

"I think I'm beginning to understand..."

"Understand what?"

"The best way to play this game," Matt chuckled. "Who knew it could be fun?"

"This isn't a game," I said. "You don't know what I'm after. What if I do end up killing you?"

"What if you do?" He shrugged, "I already said that's on the table, and you're not the only person who wants me dead."

I drew back at that. What did that mean? I knew Warhammer had to have other enemies, but what sort of enemies did Matt have personally?

I looked at my phone. The administration side of Club Heaven would close in a few hours. I needed to get there sooner rather than later and now that Matt knew what I wanted to do, he wouldn't be taking his eyes off me. This would be my only chance, so I took a chance.

"Fine..." I said, "We'll go together."

His eyes narrowed and stood up straight, looking at me. He stepped aside and gestured towards the door.

"After you."

I hesitated for a moment, considering what might await me at Club Heaven and what Matt would want with Club Heaven before nodding and walking past him to the door.

The hotel we were staying at wasn't very close to Club Heaven. The city passed by in a blur as my stomach churned with anxiety and my mind was full of questions.

Who were Matt's other enemies? Had they had something to do with the cable car crashing? Why was he buying Club Heaven?

Was he telling the truth about wanting to help me?

Was he telling the truth about wanting me?

I pushed that thought aside. He purchased me from Larry's, whatever romantic bullshit was going through his mind about me being his was impossible and ridiculous.

No matter what he said. He did own me. Renda didn't have a real identity. Glenda was dead on paper and Cherry was just a working name. Even if I found a way to escape him, I would have nowhere to go and no way to find Angelia. Matt did own me, so no matter what he said, I couldn't forget that.

"I'm sorry," I said, "I... shouldn't have yelled at you or said all those things."

He turned a corner, "I like it."

I looked at him.

"I like it more when you're honest with me... Even if you're calling me insane." His lips twitched into a little smile. "I must be really crazy."

I didn't agree, eyeing him. He seemed at ease and almost happy as he drove. It was possible that he was telling the truth. Since I was already in the car and taking a chance, I took another.

"Why are you buying Midnight?"

"Because they're the only ones who know who they bought you from."

I frowned.

"If you don't believe anything else I say," Matt said, staring ahead with a grim and determined expression. "Believe this, Renda. Everyone responsible for every scar you have and everything you've suffered is going to pay in blood."

I froze, staring at him as the car began to slow. My heart was racing. His tone had been furious and even. He wasn't lying, but I couldn't understand why he would take such an interest in what happened to me to try and track down the people responsible. Alyssa twisted in my chest and whined, urging me, Tell him. Tell him so he can be our alpha.

The want to just tell him everything was powerful, but I held it back. It had been a long time since I had wanted an alpha or a mate. I couldn't let my childhood dreams blind me to the danger Matt posed to me and my plans.

I couldn't be sure he didn't have some other agenda. I couldn't trust that he was really on my side just yet. I didn't know what it would take for me to believe him, but I wanted to and that felt too dangerous.

I couldn't afford to want to trust him until I knew for sure that he had nothing to do with Fluorite's destruction.

He might want to help me, but would he still want to help me if he found out I was from that pack, let alone the alpha's daughter?

I kept my mouth shut as the car stopped.

"We're here."