Page 65 of Ever After
“You have no reason to fight now. Get up and do as you’re told!” he yells at her, then slaps her across the face, and her hand raises to cover the reddened skin. I heard it echo through the room and know it had to have hurt.
She tilts her head down to her chest as her shoulders slump. “Yes, Master.”
“Marco, you need to let her know I’m still alive. You can’t let her believe that I’m dead.” I pull at my bindings, trying to get up.
“I can’t, Grayson. This actually works out better. She won’t fight tonight. She’ll think Sarah’s bringing her to the man who bought her, but she can tuck her safely away from everything instead. Sarah was going to have to tell her the plan, but now we don’t have to.” He pulls a chair up and sits down in front of me. “You and I need to have a chat.”
I roll my eyes but let him talk. “Sarah and I have been working on this plan for a little over a year now. I know you don’t approve, but Ineedyou to do whatever either of us says.”
“Can you promise me you’re going to take him down? I’m not talking jail time. I’m talkingdead. If you can’t do it, I’ll do it myself. That asshole needs to be gone forever, not just behind bars.”
“I promise, if I don’t put a bullet through his brain, I’ll give you the honors.” I nod, accepting his word. “Come on, it’s time to get you ready for the show.”
“How many people are coming to try and put a bullet in my brain?”
“Last time I checked, there were at least twenty people coming for you.”
* * *
I’m gagged,and my wrists are bound behind me with zip ties. I stand behind a small curtain, listening to Chris talk in the distance.He sure likes his theatrics.
“Thank you, all of you, for coming to my little gathering on such short notice. I have a treat for you tonight. The first one will be on stage momentarily. I know a few of you have already gotten a taste of her, and let me tell you from experience, sheisamazing. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep her Master happy.
“You do have to be careful with this one, though. She has a Ph.D. in Psychology, and if you allow her too much freedom, she’ll probably try to analyze you. I’ve learned the best way to keep her compliant is to deny her voice or an orgasm. Now, I’m going to bring her out here. Just like any other auction, she’ll be on display where you can come up for a closer inspection.”
Chris comes into view and pulls Finley toward the stage with him. I jerk in Marco’s grasp, trying to break free, but he stops me by shaking his head. She’s naked except for the heels, pearls, and a gag in her mouth. I can no longer see her, and Sarah comes to stand next to me.
“Everyone’s in position, and the place is surrounded. Once we have a buyer for her, I’ll signal for them. It should go smoothly.” She pulls the gag from my mouth, and I wince. The rag has been biting into the sides of my lips for too long. “Grayson, I’m going to cut you out of this, but you to need to promise you won’t do anything stupid if I do.”
“I won’t. Risking her life—and yours—isn’t worth trying to be a hero.”
“Great, pretend you’re still tied.” She pulls the gag up, and I bite the material between my teeth as she cuts the zip tie.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Finley
He drags me out on stage, and I can see there are at least five faces I recognize from various events Nick Genova hosted and invited me to over the years. The look of recognition on their faces is priceless as they shift in their seats. I’ve carried on conversations with some of these men in the past.
“Gentleman, this is Crimson. She’s a spitfire and will give you a run for your money, but she’s the perfect pet for you to enjoy.” He lifts my arms over head and drapes my cuffs over a hook in the ceiling like I’m a piece of meat. “Do you want a show?”
I hear a few men in the audience whistle, and there are murmurs all around. Ice clinks in glasses as bodies shuffle closer to the stage for a better view.Oh, God, please no.The vibrator on my clit hums to life, and I bite back a cry. I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping everything will just disappear. I hump at nothing, hoping this torture ends soon, and then the vibrations stop. Popping my eyes open, I look at Chris, and he smiles.
“Must have forgotten to charge it.” A few men chuckle. “Doesn’t matter, I would rather have her orgasm on her lucky winner instead of on some plastic toy. I promise you, she’s wound tight.”
“How about if we pay you extra and can use her now?” one of the men chimes in. A few agree, and I watch as they lick their lips, turned on by the prospect.
“No. If I’m going to pay an arm and a leg for her, I want to make sure I get what I pay for.” The voice is familiar, and I try to look past the men in the crowd to see if I recognize the face.
“Yes, I don’t think it’s fair to ruin the prize for the rightful owner. You have twenty minutes to check out the merchandise, and then bidding will begin. Feel free to look, gentleman. Simple touches are welcome, but nothing below the waist.” I breathe a sigh of relief. “Wouldn’t want her getting off.”
I turn my head, watching him. He stands off to the side and talks with a few patrons. Fat fingers land on my cheeks, and the man turns my attention back to him. His breath smells of cigarettes and vodka, and I fight the urge to gag. He runs his hands down my arms and torso, feeling every inch of my skin. His eyes meet mine, and then he smiles before walking away without saying a word.
This happens a few more times—warm breath on my face, fingers roaming over my body, and nauseating suggestions are thrown my way.Now I know what zoo animals feel like.There’s one familiar form that approaches me, and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry when I see him.
Winston. The tracking device worked. He’s going to get me out of here.
“Crimson, such a pretty name.” He lowers his voice to barely above a whisper. “There’s a plan. Hang in there.” He walks away and joins the rest of the crowd.