Page 48 of Scarred in Silence

My thoughts have been so clouded. I thought they were going to torture me to death, but this… this is much worse.

“No,” I say softly.

She steps up to me, glaring at me.

“Do it. Now.”

My thoughts flip back and forth.

Hit her. Run. Escape.

Listen to her. She will make your life Hell. Do it.

I nod. Accepting my fate. Lucien will save me. I know he will. I grab the thin material and wait for her to leave. She doesn’t. Neither does Varek.

“Hurry up,” she says dryly.

I slowly lift the gown over my head, and I can feel eyes boring holes into my bare flesh. Varek rakes over my body. Scanning my most intimate parts. Dread washes over me.

I’m a fucking whore.

I slip on the lingerie and stand in a closed-off manner. My arms crossed over my chest. My legs pressed together. Feeling exposed. More exposed than when I was selling my body for drugs.At least I had a choice in the matter back then.

“Perfect. I’ll do your make-up and we will head down to the auction room.”

I want to throw up. I want to die. I want Lucien. He will be the only one who can kill me.

* * *

I sit in a small room behind a stage. They have kept me locked in here for about twenty minutes. I have been counting to keep calm. As soon as I get sold, I am running. Fuck them.

I always knew she was a bad person, but we were friends in a way. I should have known she was into some fucked up shit.

The door swings open, and Nicolette appears.

“I have a few rules for the stage. Listen and you will be rewarded. Don’t listen, and I will make sure Miles is the top bidder.”

My stomach knots. Sweat beads on my forehead.

I nod.

“You will stand tall. Showcase yourself as an asset. You will smile and be polite. Do you understand?”

I nod.

“Tell me you understand,” she snaps.

“I understand.”

“Good. After the bidding, the winner will walk to this room to claim his winnings. You will go with him, without a fight.”

I nod again. I wipe my sweaty palms on my bare thighs.

“Follow me.” She stands and walks to the door on the opposite wall from where she entered.

I stand and walk towards the door as she opens it.

Iwalk out onto the stage. I know this stage.