"And look at this beauty!" The auctioneer's voice broke through my erratic train of panicky thoughts.

"The starting price for this one is two hundred thousand dollars, nothing less."

I knew the auctioneer was still talking, but my mind didn't register any of his words. I couldn't get that glare Mark had given me out of my head. Just thinking about it made my hand tremble. I plucked my purse from my lap and held it tightly. Thankfully, my hands stopped shaking.

I took a deep breath and looked up. Just as the auctioneer grinned widely—someone had probably raised the amount—and opened his mouth to speak, I heard Lucas say,...