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My stomach drops. Now I know why they want me here. They’re going to sell me off to someone else. I feel Natalie tense next to me.
Then Anna’s gaze picks me out of the crowd. She smirks and holds her glass out to me.
“To give you an example, I have our first eligible girl. Megan Williams. She’s single now, and she’s simply gagging for a guy. I’ve been trying to get her to go out and date other people, but she won’t. This is a perfect chance for her to find a guy who will make her scream.”
Laughter goes around the room as people turn to look at me. A few of the guys are leering at me.
I shake my head and put my glass on the bar. “Don’t be sick, Anna. I’m not here to be used as a goddamn puppet.”
“You want a man, don’t you, Megan?” Anna sounds so sincere. “I’m just helping you out.”
“What the fuck is wrong with you, Anna?”
Joel’s snarl makes me jump, and he moves to stand in front of me, glowering up at his daughter. Now the air shifts, and I’m sure I see people moving away from Joel.
I’m glad I can’t see his face right now.
***
Joel
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Anna invites Megan here to auction her off to someone else. Something tells me that she would be the only one getting auctioned off.
I quickly advance on the stage to confront her.
“Have you lost your mind? Do you think this is a clever idea, or are you really that insane?”
“Dad!” Anna whines. “I’m just trying to liven up the party.”
“No, you’re trying to get rid of the woman who your ‘fiancé’ cheated on. Because she works for me, you think you can do whatever you want with her.” I’m clenching my fists, and I have to force myself to relax my hands. “You don’t get to do something so disgusting, Anna. And not without consent.”
Anna looks upset. She doesn’t like being called out in public. Then Caitlin is there, touching my arm as she tries to tug me away.
“Let’s talk about this somewhere else, Joel,” she whispers. “Let Anna and Eric have their party.”
“Get your hands off me,” I pull away. “I came here out of courtesy, not to see an employee get toyed with like she’s nothing. You can support cheating all you like, but I won’t. If my daughter is going to make someone else look like a fool to make herself look good, I’m out of here.”
“Dad!” Anna scowls. “Don’t embarrass me. It’s my engagement party!”
I point at her.
“If you didn’t want to be embarrassed, you shouldn’t have decided to ‘auction’ my personal assistant off to one of your stupid friends. That’s not how adults behave. You really should be ashamed of yourself.” Turning away, I storm over to the bar and grab Megan’s arm. “Let’s go.”
Megan doesn’t argue as I lead her toward the door, people’s murmuring getting louder behind us. I don’t care what anyone else thinks about me; I’m not about to stand around and let Megan get treated so badly. Those who work with Eric are going to find out how angry I am when we’re back in the office.
I plan to have a word with Anna another time. Right now, Megan is my priority.
I let go of her in the parking lot, and Megan leans against a nearby car, rubbing her hands over her face as she lets out a heavy sigh.
“Megan?”
“I can’t believe it was all because she wanted to sell me to someone,” Megan lowers her hands. “She’s disgusting. Why would she even think I’d agree to that?”
“That’s why she didn’t tell you. She was going to force you to go through with it.”
“Why would anyone go along with that?” Megan asks, her rage shaking in her voice.
“Given how much everyone’s had to drink, they wouldn’t know what the hell was going on,” I reply, hating the situation we find ourselves in. “Just that there’s a woman on stage looking for a good time.”
