Page 3 of I’m The Worst

“Look at me.”

Swallowing roughly, I force my head up.

His expression is cold as he reaches for me, his touch feather-light when he runs his thumb across my cheek. “So beautiful, my treasure. They’re going to love you.”

Sliding his hand behind my neck, he pulls me close. I stiffen in his embrace.

“Be good, or the punishment will be brutal. Understand?”

I nod as his grip increases around the collar.

“Good.” He presses a kiss against my forehead, and I barely suppress a shiver.

“It’s time, boss.” The guard tugs me away from him.

Akim’s mouth curls into a smile. “Make me proud.”

The voice from the speakers erupts as the doors swing open. “Ladies and gentlemen…we have something truly special for you tonight!”

Bright lights flood the stage, blinding me. The guard shoves me forward, and my knees lock up. The jarring noise hits next—jeers, clapping, laughter. It drowns out the pounding of my heart, but not the cold sweat breaking out along my spine.

“She’s stunning, isn’t she?” the announcer’s voice oozes. “Fresh from Akim’s personal collection. Look at her, gentlemen. That tight little body. Those innocent eyes. This is her very first time at the auction, and she’s exquisite. Let’s start the bidding at two hundred fifty thousand.”

I fight against the guard’s hold as he pulls me onto a table and ties my wrists together. My throat tightens, a scream clawing its way up, but I choke it back.

The sound of bidding and the numbers climbing, it’s like a nightmare I can’t wake up from. Numbers start coming faster, one after the other, shouted from the shadows. Each rising bid ticks my pulse faster as it thuds in my ears.

“Sold!”

The word cuts through the chaos.

“To the gentleman in the blue suit.”

I try to see into the crowd, but the lights are too bright. I’m so overwhelmed that I don’t notice the guard securing my ankles to the table. The realization of what’s about to happen hits me.

The man in the blue suit makes his way onto the stage.

“Please,” I beg, trembling, “please don’t do this.”

I struggle against the restraints, the rope digging into my flesh. I can feel him getting closer.

The announcer’s voice blares, “Now is the time for us to see just how beautiful she is.”

I try to shut out the sounds around me—the cheering, the laughing, the shouting. But it’s impossible.

“Let the show begin!”

I frantically yank on the restraints again, the pain from the rope burning into my skin. Pain. It’s the only thing that reminds me that this is real. That this nightmare is actually happening.

“Please. Please, stop,” I beg once more, but it seems useless.

With the man in the blue suit now hovering above me, I frantically shake my head. He climbs on top of me, the weight of his body crushing mine as my gaze fixes on the ceiling. I pray for it to be over soon, for the darkness to claim me and take me away from this hell. I’d give anything to be free, even if it means death.

His breath is hot against my skin, his hands rough.

“Look at me.”

I can’t.