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My thoughts go to Maisie, to the face so similar to mine, and I wonder what she’s doing at this very moment. Is she being kept safe as promised? Is she calm? Is she suffering? Is she behaving?
Like me, she’s not exactly the obedient type. It will be hard for her to keep her head down and do as she’s told.
Maisie. She fought so hard against the man who held her, screaming at me when I accepted the offer to be placed at auction.
I hate that she had to watch me give in and submit. It’s not the example I wanted to set. But I did it for her. For her future. So that her life wouldn’t be cut short. Because fifteen years old just isn’t old enough.
Twenty isn’t either. The thought takes me by surprise because, until now, I saw myself as a grown woman. I might not be able to legally drink for six more months, but I can own property and vote. According to the law, I can even fuck. And yet I’ve barely lived.
This time, I do laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Haley asks.
My laughter fades. “Nothing,” I say. “Nothing at all.”
She gives me a curious look. “All right. Are you ready?”
I give myself one last glance and wonder how much of me I’ll see the next time I peer into a mirror. If I’ll be recognizable at all.
* * *
Asta is much larger than I’d thought. With the in-ceiling speakers, it was easy to imagine that the auction hall itself would be right next door, when, in fact, it’s actually located down a long hallway. Long enough to make me wish the strappy heels Haley paired with the dress were more comfortable. Long enough that by the time we reach the entrance to the back of the stage I’ll be presented on, I’m trembling so hard that I can barely walk.
Haley opens the door and we move inside. It’s dark here, like one would expect the wings of a stage in a theatre would be. Several people mill about, staff members and other girls waiting for their turn.
Beyond them, at the brightly lit podium, is the auctioneer. “Sold for ten thousand to number three,” he booms as he brings down his gavel.
The pretty blonde beside him squeals with delight and waves at someone out of sight as she’s escorted off the stage.
“Where are they taking her?” I whisper to Haley.
“She’ll go into a waiting room until payment is made.”
“What if the bidder can’t afford it?”
Her face snaps to mine. “Then they’ve come to the wrong place,” she says in a tone that answers my question more than her words do. It says they’ll pay one way or another. But they do pay.
Wrapping my arms around myself, I lean forward so that I can peer into the main hall. Although the room is dim, there’s enough illumination to easily view its opulence. The walls covered in dark-gray damask, huge crystal chandeliers hanging over deep-red velvet chairs and marble tables with expensive wines.
Lavish and richly sensual, this is a place that caters to a very demanding clientele. Only the best for them. And that goes foreverythingoffered here.
Another girl goes up, very curvy with lovely brown skin and nearly black eyes. The exotic beauty goes for thirty thousand. She elegantly inclines her head before she’s escorted off.
“Thirty thousand,” I say in astonishment. The amounts spent here are insane to me. “How much money do these people have?”
“A lot,” Haley replies. “That was Anika Davi. The same man always buys her for a week.”
“Why bother with this, then?”
“For the fun of it.” She takes my hand.
Thirty thousand for a week? If only I’d known about this place sooner, I may have been willing to offer myself for a few weeks. Perhaps I could have made enough to pay off whatever debt is owed.
But it’s too late now. At this point, it’s not the money I’m here for, but as the only way to set Maisie free.
Now my only concern is that the right man bids and wins. Arran Maxton. Although with the five-year contract on top of the protection stipulation, I’ll be surprised if anyone shows interest at all.
Haley takes my hand. “Come on, you’re up.” She tugs me closer, up two steps, then stops right before we come into view of the audience.
