Page 4 of Auctioned to the Alpha

“You know anything about the missing hikers?” I ask.

His expression shifts instantly. His brow lowers slightly. “What?”

“That look.”

“What look?”

“The one people get when they know more than they’re saying.”

The room feels tighter suddenly.

Rhett pushes off the wall and walks toward me slowly, and every instinct I have sharpens at once. He moves like a man completely aware of his size, his strength, and the effect both have on people.

When he stops beside me, the space feels charged.

“You should stop asking questions tonight,” he says quietly.

“Why?”

“Because half the town’s already noticed you.”

“I can live with attention.”

His gaze drops briefly to my mouth before lifting again. “That’s not the kind I mean.”

My pulse stutters.

I force a smirk instead. “You always flirt this aggressively with women investigating corruption?”

“Who says I’m flirting?”

That one lands harder than it should.

Before I can answer, the bartender slides closer and lowers her voice slightly. “People disappear up here sometimes,” she says carefully. “Most folks stop asking why.”

The air shifts like the entire room just tightened around me.

I glance between her and Rhett. “That’s supposed to reassure me?”

“No,” Rhett says. “It’s supposed to warn you.”

I hate how serious he sounds. I hate more that part of me believes him.

The bartender walks off before I can press further, clearly done with the conversation. Around me, the noise in the bar slowly resumes, but the feeling doesn’t.

I’m being watched now.

Not just by Rhett.

By everyone.

I finish my whiskey, toss cash onto the bar, and slide off the stool. “Well. This has been incredibly comforting.”

Rhett’s gaze follows me immediately. “Where are you staying?”

I pause. Suspicion spikes fast. “Why?”

“Humor me.”