Secured by the Buyer (Taken by His Alpha #3)

Chapter 13

13

M orning sunlight filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the suite, and I stretch my limbs, blinking away the last remnants of sleep.

A few days have passed since Liam brought me here, and while I’ve enjoyed the luxurious pampering, I can’t deny that restlessness has crept in.

After working every day of my life, being confined to this bubble of comfort is making me stir crazy. Especially with Liam out most of the time, hunting down Bugrov and the others involved in the auction.

The scent of coffee makes my nose twitch as Liam sets a mug on the nightstand before leaning over to kiss my forehead. “Ready for the grand tour? ”

My pulse quickens, but when I reach up for him, he straightens, turning away.

I scowl at his broad back. The stupid man pleasures me daily, but still refuses to fuck me. If he didn’t get hard every time he glanced my way, I’d question his sincerity in wanting to be my Alpha.

Kicking back the covers, I stretch with my arms over my head and back arching.

Satisfaction fills me when Liam groans. “What happened to the pajamas I left out for you?”

I went to bed nude hoping to entice him last night, but he stayed up working. If he slept at all, he did it on the couch in the office.

I roll onto my side, one knee bent forward and head propped on my hand. “What’s the point of silk sheets if I can’t feel them against my body?”

Unable to resist, he peeks at me before turning away with another groan. “Well, put them on now. We have a lot planned for the day.”

I perk up. “We do?”

“We do.” He keeps his back to me. “I’m giving you the grand tour. Then the stylist will be here to get an idea of what you’d like for your wardrobe.”

Excited to expand the range of my prison, I scramble out of bed, grab the mug, and rush past Liam into the bathroom .

“Wear your robe, too!” he calls after me.

I quickly chug my coffee, comb my hair, splash cold water on my face, and slip into the silk pajamas from last night. A fast brush of my teeth, and I’m good to go.

I race out to the entrance of the suite and bounce on my toes with impatience. “Are there horses?”

He arches a brow at me. “Have you ever ridden before?”

I squint up at him. “Isn’t that something all rich people have?”

He chuckles as he opens the door for me. “My grandfather rode. He loved to fox hunt, but my father’s generation stopped the practice. We still have stables, though, so if riding is something you’re interested in, I’ll buy you a horse and hire a trainer.”

“I’ve never seen one in real life,” I admit.

“A trainer?”

I push on his arm. “Stop teasing me.”

His hand on my back directs me to an elevator. “Ever been on a boat?”

“Never even been to the beach.” I peer back the way we came. “Who else has rooms on this floor? Or is this considered a wing?”

“It’s the East Wing. Damien and Caleb.” He points to the doors, one across from ours and one at the end. “Though, Caleb mostly stays at his townhouse in the city.”

On the elevator, he draws me over to the buttons. “The garage is B2. It can be accessed from any lift on the estate.”

He presses the button for the ground level, and I grab onto his arm as my stomach rises. “How did your family make their fortune?”

“Moonshine, gun running, illegal imports and exports. Drugs.” He glances down at me. “But a lot of it came the old-fashioned way.”

The elevator comes to a stop. “Hard work?”

“Theft.” He guides me off the elevator. “Lots and lots of theft.”

My eyes widen as he leads me out of a hallway and into a grand foyer with three-story high ceilings. A chandelier at the apex drips with so many crystals it must have staff dedicated to maintaining its shine.

Liam points the way to the other wings of the house, where his cousins all have rooms of their own. He leads me in the opposite direction, showing me the dining room and explaining how they only gather during important meetings or holidays.

Rockford Manor is breathtaking, filled with history and elegance. The architecture seamlessly blends the old and the new, with towering stone walls giving way to sleek glass panels. Generations of Rockfords have left their mark on this place, creating an ever-evolving legacy.

I’m struck by the attention to detail. Each room holds its own story, from the ornate wood carvings in the library to the delicate stained-glass windows in the chapel. The estate carries a sense of both reverence for the past and anticipation of the future.

While we wander through the grand rooms and expansive gardens, Liam tells me how his fox-hunting grandfather had squandered their fortune, leaving his sons and daughter to make it back by any means possible.

The more he reveals, the more it sinks in that this is my life now. There will be no walking away from Rockford Manor or from Liam.

As I link my hand with his, the foundation of my life, always rocky and uncertain, settles into place. For the first time, I feel like I belong somewhere, and have a purpose beyond surviving one day at a time.

I just need to figure out how I can be of benefit to this family that has everything.

At the end of the tour, Liam takes me to a room where snacks and refreshments have been set up.

A stylist waits with racks of clothes and heavy suitcases. “Mr. Rockford, it’s such a pleasure to have been chosen to style you. My name is Baptise.”

Uncertain, I turn to Liam, then realize the man spoke to me. “Um, nice to meet you. I look forward to your expertise.”

Liam bends to kiss my cheek. “Have fun. I’ll be nearby if you need anything.”

Before I can demand he stay, the treacherous Alpha slips away, leaving me alone.

“Tell me how you met?” Baptise asks as he takes my measurements.

I freeze in place, afraid to move as he runs a measuring tape up my inner leg. “At an auction.”

“Oh, I love auctions. Such a fantastic reason to dress up.” He makes notes. “What was it for?”

“The unfortunate who had lost their homes.”

“Sounds like a worthy cause.” He stands and bustles to the racks. “Any preferences on textures or styles?”

Unsure, I ask, “What outfits would belong on the arm of a billionaire?”

The stylist smiles as his eyes rake over me. “You have excellent lines. What are you planning to do with your hair?”

Afraid he’ll whip out scissors, I touch the red strands. “I’m keeping it this way.”

“You have good cheekbones and jawline. They’d stand out more with a shorter cut.” He turns to his rack. “But if you prefer a softer appearance, long is the way to go.”

I bite my lip before coming to a decision. “Make me as pretty as you can, but nothing that restricts my movement.”

Liam likes my looks, so I need to use them to my advantage.

“I was hoping you’d say that!” Excited, Baptise flips through his racks, pulling out a pale gold top and a pair of high-waisted, wide-legged trousers. “Try these on.”

I shrug out of my robe and pajamas, feeling exposed under the stylist’s scrutiny.

He tuts and grabs his tablet. “We’ll order you some proper undergarments. Are you a boxers or briefs man? Or do you prefer something more delicate?”

“Briefs, usually, but let your imagination go wild.” I’ve never worn lacy panties, but I can’t say I’m not curious .

When I slip on the shirt, the structured neckline leaves my collarbones and back bare but covers my arms to the wrists.

While I pull on the pants, the stylist lifts a thick belt from a suitcase. “Tuck the top in.”

I do as instructed, and he wraps the belt around my waist, cinching it in tight.

When I move toward the mirror, he holds me back. “Let me fix your hair first.”

He moves behind me, gathering my long locks into an artful style that exposes my throat. “You’ll want to get a trim, at least, and do some deep conditioning treatment to bring out your hair’s natural shine.”

Something else to add to my list.

He passes me a pair of slip-on shoes before stepping back, clasping his hands. “Beautiful.”

Freed to inspect his work, I step in front of the mirror, and my breath catches at the gorgeous man in the reflection. Is this what my mother would have looked like without the bruises and fear?

My fingers graze my exposed throat. “Should I wear jewelry?”

“Of course!” The stylist bustles over to a suitcase and opens it, browsing through several options.

He returns with an almost invisible golden chain, slipping it around my neck. A tiny star hanging from it nestles into the hollow of my collarbone. Next, he has me try on a few rings until we find ones to fit my middle and ring finger on my right hand and pointer on my left.

“Your hands…” he fusses, examining the rough condition of my skin. “We need a manicurist here as soon as possible.”

“Liam is arranging it.” I turn back to my reflection with a strange sense of pride. “This is the style I want.” I meet Baptise’s excited gaze in the mirror. “I don’t have any clothes, so I’ll require a complete wardrobe.”

“Of course!” The stylist squeals with delight as he whips out his tablet to start ordering items. “Leave it to me!”

As he busies himself, I walk to the door and poke my head out, wanting to show Liam. When I don’t find him outside, I step into the hall, the cuff of my pants swishing around my ankles.

From a cracked door farther down, I catch the murmur of voices. I approach to peer through the crack, hoping to find Liam inside.

Instead of my Alpha, I spot Jade perched on the edge of a desk, leaning in close. “It’s okay to take a break sometimes. ”

The older man sighs. “Why do you push like this?”

“Because if I don’t, you’ll keep pretending I’m another of your little brothers.” Jade touches the man’s cheek, turning his head toward him.

Guilt washes over me at witnessing this intimate moment. As I spin away from the door, I nearly collide with an angelic-looking, very pregnant man.

His hand goes to his stomach before he gasps and lunges forward to grasp my fingers. “You must be Milo! Finally, I get to meet you. My name is Leo!”

“Oh…” I remember he’s one of Liam’s in-laws. “It’s nice to make your acquaintance.”

The formal words twist in my mouth, but the unexpected encounter has left me floundering. Liam and I haven’t discussed how I should comport myself around his family.

Not letting me go, Leo’s gaze sweeps over me. “You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. The outfit you’re wearing accentuates your figure to perfection.”

“Um, thank you?” I stammer, unsure of how to respond to such a compliment.

“I used to have a figure.” His blue eyes well up. “But now I’m a whale! ”

As he bursts into tears, my mouth drops open in shock.

Behind me, the office door opens, and Jade steps out, followed by the older man.

Jade hurries forward. “Leo, sweetie, what’s wrong?”

“He’s just so, so gorgeous,” Leo sobs, shaking our clasped hands.

A voice booms from down the hall. “Who made my husband cry this time?”

Everyone turns toward me, and I panic. “I swear I didn’t do anything!”