THE AUCTION

Lester POV

I have to get her back. I am not sure how much the authority will help me to get her back. I sit here, and I look at the screen blankly. What can I say to make sure he does not harm her? I know what he is thinking, and I know she is probably completely out of her mind on whatever drugs they are pumping into her body. At least, there is comfort in that. She probably has no idea what is going on around her. I hope we can get her out before she comes awake. I do not want Renae to suffer. I cannot bear the thought of her hurting in any way. Fuck, why did I send her into Jule's place in the beginning? This should not be happening.

I could offer him immunity for his auctions. Renae will be furious with me if I give Horace immunity. Maybe if I provide him with immunity and then Tatina could kill him before the ink is dry on the contract. I could pay him, but there is no guarantee that he will let her go once he has the money.

I call downstairs to the interrogation rooms. "Yes, sir, what can I do for you?" Mark says, answering the phone bubbly and happy to no longer be my driver, I suppose. I am happy for him, and there is no one better to help me up the stakes with Horace.

"Prepare Jules for the roast garden. I want him drained and then placed in stone. Please send me a few pictures. I need something to send to Horace, so he does not harm Renae," I say firmly.

"I have to clear it, hold," Mark says. Good for him. Interrogation has a protocol, and he is following it.

I hear Mark talking to someone, probably Samuel. They go back and forth for a moment, and then I hear Samuel laughing. Mark comes back to the phone. "Samuel said it will be done. Give us about thirty minutes to drain him as close to death as possible. I will send the pictures," Mark says, almost giddy and overjoyed with his new job with the authority.

I decide to send a quick email to Horace just to test the waters with him. I want to know what he is thinking right now. I bet his mind is going a million places trying to decide if he wants to keep my wife or give her back. In the end, I will kill him either way unless Tatina gets to him first. I have a feeling she will get her revenge soon. I have to banter with him and keep his focus on me for now.

Email to Horace:

Horace,

I will pay you whatever you want; just let her go, Horace unharmed and untouched. No one will bother you or your auctions for a while.

You have my word,

Lester

I sit back and wait for his reply. It is almost immediately when I get my reply.

Email From Horace

Lester,

I have decided to keep her as my personal plaything. I will send pictures soon.

Horace

I sit here looking at the email Horace sends me back. I shake my head as I wait for Samuel to drain Jules. I pull out my phone and text Draco to hurry up and that Tatina can kill as many as she wants. I will give them the full backing of the vampire authority to do whatever they want. I will start destroying every fucking auction in New Orleans when I have my precious wife back. I will no longer follow the law. This shit has to stop NOW!

Ding! I look down at my phone, and it is a picture of Jules. Mark really worked him over. He looks beaten and drained. I upload the photo to my computer. I open a new email to Horace.

Horace,

This is for you. Let's talk numbers now; attach photo

Lester

I text Draco to let him know that things are about to hit a boiling point and he should hurry up. I know what is about to happen. Horace is going to have to decide what is more important, Jules, his brother, or keeping my wife. I bet he will want to think about it for a moment. When he gets through thinking, by then, Draco will be on his doorstep with Tatina, ready to kill him. I wish I could see all of it. I should be there to comfort Renae, but I do not want to draw too much attention.

I call down to Mark. He answers the phone quickly. "Looks good, doesn't it?" Mark asks.

"Yes, I sent it, and I am waiting for a response, but I think I should go. I want to be there when they pull Renae out," I say.

"Wait, you do not want to draw any unwanted attention. When you know they are almost there and about to go into the auction, then head that way. You do not want to tip Horace off in any way. Lester, if I was you, and I know it is hard, but you should wait let Draco and Tatina do their job. You should keep him distracted. If you stop communicating with him then he will know that you are on your way to him. Let it ride just a while longer," Mark says.

He is right. I should wait. "I will wait it out. You are right, Mark. Do me a favor? When you and Samuel get ready to roast him, do not do it without Renae, she deserves to lit the match," I say.

Mark begins laughing. "I will let Renae have the honor, but for now, I need you to calm down. She will be home soon. Take some time off for her and just be happy. Samuel left to run an errand, but I am sure he would not roast Jules without Renae," Mark says.

When did he get so smart? Where in the hell is Samuel?