Page 70 of Tainted Obsession 1

“What is this?” I demand, glaring at Adrián.

His attention remains fixed on the spectacle onstage, his sharp eyes never wavering from the horrific scene.

The doughy man grabs the microphone from the stand, keeping his other hand around the girl’s upper arm in a vise grip. He yanks her into the spotlight, and she stumbles into him. He mutters something that must be a threat into her ear, because she stops struggling. Her shoulders slump, and she wraps her arms tightly around herself.

“Gentlemen, I have something special for you tonight,” he booms into the microphone with a leer. “A virgin. Who wants to start the bidding?”

“Adrián—” Stefano begins, but the Colombian drug lord holds up his hand to silence him.

“Do you want me to handle it, boss?” Mateo asks in a low growl.

Adrián’s cold eyes bore into me. “What are you going to do about it,friend?”

He dares me to put a stop to it. I’m in his territory, and causing a brawl to save the young woman would be an insult. He isn’t going to say a word to end this disgusting spectacle.

I’d thought he operated under a code of honor similar to my own, but this sadistic piece of shit has no honor.

Only my promise to Gian and Enzo prevents me from wrapping my hands around his throat and squeezing the life out of him.

Someone shouts out a bid in pesos, and another man whistles. The girl on stage withers, her skin going ashen.

Another bid. The girl shudders, her entire body convulsing in visceral horror. She can’t be more than twenty years old, if that. She’s pretty enough to draw the lustful eye of the worst men in the room, her heart-shaped face soft and lovely. She would be beautiful if it weren’t for the fact that she looks like she might vomit.

“One hundred thousand US dollars,” I call out, putting an end to the disgusting scene.

If Adrián won’t stop this, I will. I can’t kill every man in here to save her, but I can buy her freedom.

“Massimo!” Evelyn goes rigid in my arms.

“Two hundred and fifty thousand.” Adrián’s voice rings out, and everyone goes deadly silent.

His cruel, sadistic eyes remain fixed on my face, a cold challenge.

I don’t bother to hide the disdain in my own eyes. My new Colombian partner is a twisted piece of shit, and I won’t let him touch the girl.

“Five hundred thousand,” I bark, keeping my gaze steady on his.

This was between us now; the rest of the men don’t matter.

Evelyn trembles in my arms, but I can’t pause to comfort her. I know this exchange must be distressing for her, but I can’t afford to take my focus off my opponent for even a moment.

Adrián nods and offers me a sudden, shocking grin of savage approval. “She’s all yours, my friend.”

It’d been a test. He never had any intention of buying the girl. He wanted to assess my character, and I showed him the kind of man I am.

I don’t appreciate being played, and I let him read my irritation clearly on my face. He continues to smile at me, delighted at my discomfort. The man truly is a sadist.

And now I’m faced with a difficult choice: I have to claim the girl before someone else steps in, or I can stay with Evelyn.

I turn my attention to Stefano. He might be mercurial, but he’s a formidable man, and he’s spent enough time around Evelyn and me to understand how much I value her.

“Will you take Evelyn back to the house, please? I need to handle this.”

“Massimo, no.” She grips my forearm, clinging on tight.

The horror that darkens her lovely eyes makes my chest ache. I never want her to witness anything like this ever again.

“I’ll make sure she’s safe,” Stefano promises, completely sincere for once.