Page 63 of Outfoxed

“While that may be true, it would put you in more danger, and I would have to figure out how to override the bounty out on you. In the West, I can draw up another provisional uncontested courtesan contract, which will offer you limited protections there. In the East, the bounty’s contract overrides anything I might be able to file, and if I lose track of you, I might not be able to locate the auction until it’s too late. The bounty for you has been really careful to keep the details of your auction a complete secret.”

That didn’t comfort me at all. “And right now, I couldn’t fight off a child armed with a wet noodle.”

“Yes, I’m aware. It’s a problem. I’m not the only bounty hunter with access to Asylum.”

“I’d work on figuring out where that auction is going to take place, then. But I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“Why would anyone want to kill me?”

“I don’t think they want to necessarily kill you. I think somebody knows about the family behind the bounty and aims to hurt them. They are sparing no expense getting you to the East in as good health as possible. I see a lot of value in you, but that’s because I’ve seen you in action. You’re beautiful, that’s true. But you’re not from a powerful or wealthy family, and your parents aren’t precisely powerful or wealthy. You do have a stellar blend of genetics, and you’re a first generation vixen, which makes you valuable enough, but I know how much the bill for your care is, and I’m aware how much I was paid for serving as the middle man for your care. For the record, I consider that money to be yours, and as soon as possible, I’ll be transferring it into your bank account.”

“Wait. But why? You were the one who did the work.”

“You deserve compensation for being involved in this. Right now, I’m more concerned about your health.”

“Can uncontested courtesan contracts be transferred? Let’s say I’m sold at auction in the East. Could you acquire me from the purchaser?”

“Under some conditions, it is possible. I’d have to find out who your buyer is, get to you before any marriage contracts were signed, and there are ridiculous fees for it, and you can only sell a contract for a very brief period of time. That’s a loophole allowing wealthy relatives to purchase an uncontested courtesan for someone. They buy the contract, and then they gift the contract to the intended recipient. So, yes. It can be done.”

“In any case, I’m basically stuck. Someone is trying to kill me, for some reason, likely involving whomever is trying to send me to the East. You’re trying to marry me, apparently, because I’m good at pissing you off and have the goods in the form of my genetics. You seem to be in a position to have wealth and power, so why not play the game? If you show up and enter the bid war, don’t I get paid more? And the whole uncontested courtesan thing only works if I ultimately decide to cooperate. I could just be stubborn and demand to honor the first-signed contract. That puts me on a better moral standing. That contract expires, but it might buy time.”

“If you’re purchased by an honorable family, yes. They would respect that. It wouldn’t change your status as their uncontested courtesan, but they wouldn’t push any unions until the paperwork expires or they cut a deal with me.”

“And if you do cut a deal with them, you obviously didn’t want me badly enough.”

“However much I dislike that way of thinking, you are correct.”

“Cut a deal, then; whoever set this bounty up knows you have me in your custody, so make an arrangement. If that arrangement happens to involve Carlos, I’m probably going to try to break your nose with a stick. But Anna is nice, and she could use the money and a chance to get out of the Alley, so you could make use of her.”

“Even when you’re in a corner, you’re still trying to help others?” Sandro chuckled. “I almost pity the family who’ll take you without a full disclosure of what they’re getting into. You’re going to turn their world upside down on them. And yes, that does factor into why I want you. I can be a ruthless bastard when needed, and I need somebody who will temper that. And if you’re upset with something I plan to do, there’s probably a good reason for it, so at least I’ll think twice before doing it.”

“Thinking twice is better than not thinking at all.”

“It’s a common failing among the rich and powerful. They like to think their first thought is the only way.”

“And you don’t?”

“I try not to, but I’m guilty. I saw you, and my first thought involved flipping my middle finger at the person who set the bounty and keeping you for myself. I recognize this is what happened, so that counts as something, right?”

“Potentially as you being a lunatic.”

Sandro chuckled. “You may be right. Now it’s time for the bad news.”

“What’s the bad news?”

“I have had no reason, until now, to set up a guest bedroom, and I’ve been monitoring your bounty situation, so I haven’t had time to get everything. That means you get to enjoy my bed, and I can be a bastard after a night or two on the couch. I wake up creaky and cranky.”

“Who doesn’t after a night on a couch? Honestly, in most of my cellars, I’m lucky if I’m not on the ground anyway. I can take the couch. Lying down is not fun right now, Sandro. I’ll probably want to sleep in a damned chair. Please tell me you’re spoiled enough to have a half-decent chair in this place.”

“I do. It’s in my study, where I do my reading while waiting for the storms to blow over.”

“Well, show me to your study, then. I’ll live there until we figure something out.” I could use some quality time with some books, and until we figured out a plan, all I could do was wait.

Thirteen

You’re a mess.