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They each grab an arm and practically pick me up, dragging me onto the stage. When they finally release me in the center, I stumble and nearly lose my footing. The stage lights are so intensely bright that it’s difficult to see anything past the stage, but I can hear the murmured voices of the audience members lurking in the shadows. Taking a step back, I’m prepared to run when the second man appears at my elbow and warns in my ear, “Don’t even think about it, girl. You won’t get far if you try.”
I tear away from him, tossing him a look that could kill. He’s right, as much as I hate admitting it. Now isn’t the time to run. My chance will come, and when it does, I’ll find a phone and call Evelyn, the police, the fucking National Guard. Someone, anyone with the power to help me get free and return to Liam.
“Well, here she is. Lot number 71. And what a beauty she is. She’s got quite a fiery temper, doesn’t she, folks?”
I turn to face the auctioneer. “You’re fucking disgusting,” I spit at the weasel-looking man with his thin glasses and slicked-back hair. “You piece of shit, spineless, perverted little man. I will—”
My words are cut off when a strip of fabric is shoved into my mouth and tied behind my head…tight. But that doesn’t stop me. I keep shouting through the cloth barrier and shoot daggers at the auctioneer.
“We’ll start the bidding at two hundred thousand. Do I have three hundred thousand? Yes, sir. How about three hundred and fifty? Yes, to number fifteen. Do I have four? Excellent. Do I have four hundred and fifty? Yes, madam. How about five hundred? Thank you again, sir. We have a good bidding war going on here. Don’t miss out on this lovely creature, ladies and gentlemen. If you’re looking for a little fun, she won’t disappoint you.”
My heart races, pounding against my chest as my rushing blood fills my ears. Sweat breaks out on my skin, and I pant for air, struggling to catch my breath behind the fabric, and my chest tightens painfully from the lack of oxygen. I know the feeling of a panic attack all too well, and this feels like the start of one. Black spots appear in the corner of my vision. I close my eyes and bow my head. I’m on the verge of collapsing.
“Sold! To bidder number fourteen for five hundred thousand. Thank you, sir. Congratulations and do enjoy.”
All the air leaves my body as I fall to my knees.
I’ve just been sold.
16
Michael
“Michael, don’t move,” Raphael warns me just as I move to stand. He grabs my jacket sleeve to keep me down before anyone notices. “I’m serious. You can’t make a scene.”
“But it’s Rose,” I argue as if those words are enough of a reason for me to unleash my demons and lay waste to this entire den of perversion and abuse. It’s taking every ounce of my strength to remain seated and not rush to the stage.
“I know it is. But we are unarmed and outmanned. We have to save her some other way.”
Save her.
She’s the one the anonymous email sender meant. I knew it the moment I saw her. And if by some chance she isn’t…well, she is now. Because after spending over half a year looking for my beautiful flower, here she is. At a human auction, of all places. What the fuck?
She’s fucking radiant. Even after all these months, my attraction to this woman has not faded, not even in the slightest. I thought that if I ever saw her again, I would realize that the insane allure she had over me was nothing more than the result of a heated night of far too much alcohol. But no. One look now, and I want more. Just like that night.
Her gorgeous red hair is shorter than I remember, but her green eyes still burn bright with the same intense fire that has haunted my dreams for months. Her black dress hugs every one of her curves in the most delicious ways, leaving me with the sudden desire to reacquaint myself with each one.
My eyes widen at Rose’s outburst. It’s followed quickly by a burst of pure fury when a guard steps forward and sticks a gag in her mouth. It doesn’t stop her from trying to yell, though, and pride flares in my chest at her fight.
“Well, isn’t she going to be a fun one to tame?” The auctioneer laughs, but I catch how the weasel watches Rose with a touch of uncertainty. Good. He should fear her. Not because of what she said but because of me. I’m the devil on her shoulder. The dark to her light. The monster under her bed. And I will turn my demons loose on every fucking person who harmed her, laying their heads at her feet.
Raphael leans over, humor in his voice as he says, “I can see why you like her so much. She’s got a mouth as filthy as yours.”
I smirk. “And she knows how to use it.”
“What do you want to do?” Raphael asks as the bids continue to climb in number.
“I don’t know.” I honestly don’t. I have to do something, but what?
I move to lift my sign, prepared to damn my soul even more to hell, when the auctioneer shouts, “Sold!”
The gavel coming down is like a jolt of electricity directly to my brain, forcing me into action.
“Let’s go.” I commit to memory the number and appearance of the man who just bought Rose. A plan forms in my mind as we stand and head for the door.
Enzo waits for us by the car he borrowed—with no intention of returning—from the long-term parking garage at the airport. He’s wearing a simple black mask to shield his identity, which helps him blend in well with the other drivers and guards. Leaning against the driver’s side door, his blue eyes scan the area until he sees us approaching.
“How’s the auction going?” he asks when we reach him. “Did you find the girl you were asked to save?”
