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“Alexander told Opal that if you don’t put in an effort to look your best, he’d force you to go on stage completely naked.” Mya grimaces with her twisted words. “He’s a fucking asshole.”
I sigh. “Might as well be naked,” I mutter. “That way I’m not sparkling like a damn gift for them to tear into.”
Mya blinks her watery gaze again. “I hate this. I fucking really hate this.”
I let her help me adjust the wig onto my hair, not bothering to pin it in place. “Just remember what I said. Go. Get out of here. I need you to make this stupid forced sacrifice worth it.”
***
“All right, my gem. I need you to listen to me.” Opal stands beside me, motioning for me to get into the golden cage that will be lowered to the damn stage, turning the auction into a true spectacle. “I know you’re going to want to fight. I know you’ll want to disobey and do whatever you can to make it look like they can’t control you, but it would be a mistake.”
I flick my attention to her. “You don’t have to tell me to be a good girl. I already know that the grossest fuckers want someone they can put in their place. I’ll stand there and shut up.”
Tears glass over Opal’s eyes, and she helps me climb into the cage. “I am truly sorry for all of this, you know.”
“Sure,” I say, refusing to accept her apology. She tried to help me and then just gave up. I thought I could count on her. I thought she was better than her brother. But she’s not. And I’m so angry because of it.
“Hayley,” she whispers, touching my cheek.
I tighten my mouth without responding.
“You’re doing the right thing. I want you to know that.” Pinching my chin, Opal swipes a blush-colored lipstick across my lips. “I know it doesn’t feel like it, but complying means people won’t unnecessarily die. Your friends will have better lives because of it.”
“Until the next headliner does something to fuck things up,” I mutter under my breath, rubbing my lips together to smooth the makeup.
Opal pouts her bottom lip and sighs. “No one is quite like you, so I promise that all this bullshit with Alex ends here.”
Her words prod at something deep inside me, and I open my mouth to ask her what the fuck she’s talking about, but music blares through the air. Quickly shutting the cage door, she ensures the wires are secure and hits the button to send me gliding forward and off the rafter. The cage rattles as I hang in the air, and I wonder how much movement it could withstand before crashing down. Maybe I can swing it hard enough to snap the wire and free fall on top of Alexander, who stands below, blabbing to the crowd. I can’t hear anything past the pounding in my head, and the spotlight steals my vision, making it impossible to see beyond the bright-white light.
“Settle down, you fuckers!” Alexander shouts, his voice booming through the world through the giant speakers on each side of the stage. “It’s time for the main event! If you have never laid your eyes on my most precious baby doll, then you’re in for a treat. If you have, well, get fucking ready to bid. You won’t want to miss your chance at claiming a contract with the most exquisite donor in all of La Vega!”
Whistles and catcalls fill the air, roaring over the music with the standing crowd. With their reaction, I’d have thought someone just nailed the perfect performance for this kind of standing ovation. My nerves twist inside me, tightening my chest and bunching my stomach. I don’t smile. I don’t pose. There is no fucking way I’m going to give my best performance to the men who want a piece of my blood, body, and mind.
Alexander moans deep in his throat and waves his hand as the cage bounces with a stop, hanging three feet in the air. I keep my gaze down, using my fake eyelashes like shields to protect me with. My hair hangs around my face and over the tiny triangles covering my boobs. I clutch the side wires of the swing, and ignore everything around me.
“Delectable, isn’t she?” Alexander asks, flicking open the door on my cage. “Come on, my doll. These gentlemen want a better look at you and your amazing assets.”
I tighten my jaw and keep my stare at the bottom of the cage. It takes everything in me to stand up and let Alexander help me out. He hooks his fingers around my waist and spins me in a circle, trying to make me react with a smile. Other times, the quick movements would work and I’d screech and giggle, but now? My body shuts down. My brain has cut the line, and I can’t get myself to do anything.
“Aw, my baby doll. Don’t look so sad.” Alexander speaks into his glittery microphone. Setting me on my feet, he pushes the long strands of turquoise hair to my back, giving the audience a better view of the glittery strings making up my costume. “You see, gentleman, Ruby is afraid no one will bid for her. Why don’t we show her that’s not true? Let’s show her that you sexy devils are all here just for her.”
The spotlight drifts away from us and over the crowd. For the first time, I can’t stop myself from looking up. I want so desperately to see the faces of the Bella Crew that I’ll risk meeting someone else’s gaze.
“See, baby doll? They love you. Now why don’t you give them a smile?” Alexander slides his arm around my back and leans in. Whispering, he adds, “You better fucking do it or I’ll let one of them come up here for a closer look.”
I force my mouth to smile, showing off my teeth. A part of my being dies, and I try to concentrate on each individual voice chanting my name, creating the discordant melody of my impending doom.
“Get her naked! I want to see her tits!” a man yells, rushing toward the edge of the crowd.
Whistling through his fingers, another guy joins him. “Bend her over. I want to see that tight pussy and ass.”
My body chills, my head spinning.
“Open your mouth, Ruby! I need to see if I can fit it all in.” The gruff voice laughs with his comment.
“Small mouths aren’t something a jaw dislocation can’t fix,” another says.
A figure waves his arms over his head. “Come on, Aris! Give us what we want! I want to see my new blood bitch.”
Nails dig into my shoulder as Alexander yanks me to him. “You heard the gentleman, Ruby. Let’s show them what they’re paying for.”
Be a good a girl. Don’t do anything stupid. He’ll destroy you. The thoughts spin through my mind, and I tremble in fear. Alexander spins me around and rips at the strap of my top, sending crystal beads flinging across the stage.
A roar sounds through the crowd, Sawyer’s voice whipping at my insides. He’s here. He made it.
“Someone’s anxious, baby doll. Come on, now. Turn around. Please the gentleman.” Alexander forces me to spin and grabs my wig, exposing my boobs. The crowd cheers and Alexander grabs for my waistband next.
Something dark snaps inside me.
I lose my fucking shit.
