by J. L. Beck
Oh god. Please, say no. Please, say no.
Wringing my hands together in my lap, I breathe through my nose to stop myself from hyperventilating. I remind myself of what he said when I told him I was scared before we left the car. Do what I say, and nothing bad will happen.
“I’ll consider it. I’d like to wait a bit to see how many offers I get.”
“Wouldn’t you say giving Romero a heart attack is priceless?”
He’ll consider it?
It’s obvious they want to use me to hurt my father, but I don’t understand why. All I knew when I was taken was that my father sold me for ten million dollars. I had no idea why, and I didn’t think that he had offered me to more than one man. A sourness spreads through my gut, knowing that my father’s intentions weren’t as pure as I considered. He’s proven to me, though, by sending that note that he is going to try and save me, and I’m holding onto that sliver of knowledge with more hope than I should.
“It would, but if I’m going to give away pussy as good as hers after I paid ten million dollars, I want to at least recoup some of my investment.”
“I understand, will you at least let me look at her, maybe even allow a little touching?”
My skin crawls like there are tiny insects on it. If Julian wasn’t bluffing and was really going to allow this man to touch me, I wasn’t sure that I could stand for it. He had explained the rules and promised no one would hurt me, but he never mentioned any of this.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Julian steel jaw clench. “Can’t you see enough of her? I’ve put her in that dress, and you can see all I want you to see. If you want more, it’s going to cost you.”
“Always a businessman first.” His friend laughs. “I guess I can’t blame you, this is a business after all. I’ll go see what the lineup looks like for tonight. Maybe there is something that can keep me entertained until you let me have a taste of her.”
“Sure, sure. Take your time. You know how I am, can’t get rid of them until I’ve broken them to my liking.” Julian snickers.
“I sure do.” His friend laughs again, and I almost sigh against the bar when he retreats away from us.
I don’t like how Julian is acting, and I’m not sure if this is his true self or if it’s all a show. Part of it has to be a show since we’ve never had sex before, but the rest, the selling of me, allowing these dirty men to touch me. Is that all for show?
Lifting my eyes just a little bit, I look around the room once more to see if I can spot my father again, but all I see are a bunch of men laughing, drinking, and carrying on.
“I need to go to the bathroom,” I whisper under my breath. It’s only half a lie. I don’t need to pee, but I really need to get out of here, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
“I’ll take you,” Julian growls. He finishes his drink before slamming the empty glass down. He shoves off his seat and motions for me to get up too. His eyes are dark, feral, and I wonder if simply asking to go to the bathroom is the final nail in my coffin.
Apparently, I don’t move fast enough because, in the next instance, he is grabbing my hand, tugging me from the stool, giving my wobbly legs and unbalanced feet no time to adjust. One step is all it takes for me to lose my footing, causing my body to collide with his firm back, my cheek resting against the smooth material of his tux.
His entire body tenses, vibrating with rage or maybe something else. I wouldn’t be surprised if he truly did decide to sell me at this point.
At least he gives me a moment before he starts walking again. Looking down at the ground the entire way to the bathroom, I make sure not to trip over my own feet again. When he comes to a stop, I realize we’ve reached the restroom.
He releases my hand and gives me an impatient glare when I look up at him. The coldness in his eyes chills me to the bone, and I walk into the bathroom on unsteady legs, doing my best to keep myself upright.
Sighing in relief, I stand before the huge mirror, resting my hands on the edge of the expensive-looking sink. The bathroom is completely empty, not that I expected there to be many women in here, not when the entire place is packed with men.
Taking a couple calming breaths, I focus on my reflection. My face is put together beautifully, but everything else about me screams, look at me. I want to burn the dress I’m wearing and toss the shoes on my feet into a river. I hate everything about this night, and even more the way it’s causing Julian to put walls up and push me out. Tears fill my eyes, but I blink them away. I cannot ruin my makeup by crying because then Julian will know I was in here sulking and not going to the bathroom, and with the mood he’s in right now, I don’t doubt he would threaten to hurt Marie over something as small as that.
Straightening my shoulders, I’m preparing myself to exit the bathroom when the door opens, and a petite blonde enters. I’m shocked to see her, but I’m even more shocked when she opens her mouth.
“Elena, your father asked me to give you this,” she speaks low, low enough that there is no way Julian will hear from the other side of the door. Still, my first instinct is to look at the door and make sure he isn’t racing inside.
Glancing away from the door, I look down at what she is trying to give me. In the palm of her hand rests a silver key.
“What is that for?” I whisper.
“The key to your bedroom. Take it.” She shoves the key into my hand, the cool silver metal resting coldly and with the weight of a brick on my palm.
The woman looks back to the door before looking at me again. “Your father wants me to tell you that Julian has been trying to kill him. Ever since you were taken, he’s been trying to find a way to save you, but he worries that if Julian succeeds in killing him, that you will be next. You need to get away now before it’s too late.”
“But…”
“No time. Just get away the first chance you get. Good luck.” And with that, she spins around on her heels and walks out of the ladies room, leaving me standing there with my mouth gaping open.
What the hell was that?
I look down at the key in my hand, trying to digest everything this woman just told me. How did my father get a key to the room in Julian’s house? Why is Julian trying to kill my father when he bought me for ten million dollars?
I have so many questions to ask and no one to ask them.
“Elena!” Julian’s gruff, muffled voice filters through the closed door, snapping me out of my own thoughts. I quickly shove the small key into the built-in bra of my so-called dress.
“Coming,” I call out.
Rubbing my sweaty palm down my dress, I take one last look in the mirror. You can do this. Opening the door, I find an angry looking Julian on the other side.
“What were you doing in there?” He pushes the door open further to look inside.
“I just needed a minute...” I start to explain, but Julian doesn’t really seem interested in my answer. He grabs my wrist and starts to pull me away from the bathroom. It’s by fate alone that I don’t trip over my own feet.
“Moretti,” a familiar voice calls, the sound making my chest hurt, and my stomach churn. Julian stops in his tracks, making me yet again bump into him. His hold on my hand becomes tighter, almost as if he expects me to run away.
“What do you want, Romero?” Julian snaps.
“Did you have to bring her here? Wearing this of all things? She’s not a whore.” My father’s voice cuts through the air like a knife dipped in acid. I want to look up at him so badly, assure him that I’m okay, but I remember Julian’s words. Disobey, and Marie will pay.
“She isn’t any of your concern anymore. Ten million says so. In fact, I’ll strip her naked, walk her up on stage and throat fuck her in front of everyone if I want to, and there isn’t a fucking thing you can do about it.”
“Jesus Christ, Moretti, what’s fucking wrong with you?”
Julian answers with a chuckle. “Nothing more or less than any other man in this place, including you. Do you kno
w how many offers I got on sharing your daughter tonight? Maybe I’ll take some of them. Pass her around. If you’re lucky, I’ll send you a video.” Julian’s tone isn’t just cold but mocking, and his grip on my hand becomes tighter and tighter until it’s hurting.
“I want to buy her back. I’ve got the money.”
“No.”
“No? I’m saying I’m giving you back your ten million. You had your fun, now I want my daughter back.”
“So you can sell her to someone else?” Out of the corner of my eye, I see Julian shake his head. “Where did you come up with that kind of money anyway? You were pretty broke last time I checked.”
“Does it matter where I got it from? I’ve got it, that’s all that matters. Let’s go, Elena, we’re going home.”
My father extends his hand out to me, and my fingers twitch, yearning to grab hold of his, but I force myself to stay still, to keep my gaze trained on the ground.
“What have you done to her?” My father’s accusing tone is aimed right at Julian.
“Trained her. She will not speak to you, or anyone because she knows what happens if she does. And your offer means shit to me. She is mine. You knew the type of man you were selling her to when you accepted my offer.”
“I will not let you hurt her. She is pure and innocent–”
“Not anymore,” Julian interrupts, making my father shake in anger.
“She is not made for this world. Give her back to me.”
Julian takes a threatening step forward, tugging me right along with him, and my knees shake. Waves of uncertainty run through me while my captor, and my father, the man who sold me, stand toe to toe.
“She is mine, so if I want to hurt her, I will. If I want to use every hole in her body for my pleasure, I will. Fuck off, and a word of advice. If you try to infiltrate my home again or make any effort to take her from me again, I won’t hesitate to come after you. A deal is a deal, Romero. You know how it works. Stand by it, or I’ll be forced to draw blood.”
Julian doesn’t even give my father the opportunity to respond.
Brushing past him, he drags me right alongside him, and my heart feels like it’s being dragged through the mud behind me. My father was right within reach, and I couldn’t so much as look at him. Tears prick my eyes, and I blink rapidly to stop myself from crying.
When we reach the bar, Julian releases my hand and ushers me back into the stool I was sitting on before. I rub at my wrist, the blood finally circulating back into my hand. The bartender is cleaning a glass, waiting as if he knew we would be returning shortly.
“I need another whiskey and a glass of red wine,” Julian says cooly as if he wasn’t just arguing with someone.
The bartender gets our drinks, and I grab the glass of wine as soon as it’s placed in front of me, taking a small sip, hoping it will calm my chaotic nerves.
“Gentlemen, can I have your attention, please. Momentarily our auction will begin. Tonight, we only have four girls for sale, but believe me, it’s quality over quantity tonight. Enjoy, and may the highest bidder win.”
Did he just say, girls? I couldn’t possibly have heard that correctly. Curiosity gets the best of me, and I look in the direction the voice came from. Horror fills me when I see that there is a huge stage, with four pedestals on it.
This cannot be happening. This is worse than what happened to me… unless the girls are actually here out of their free will. Yes, that has to be it.
A moment later, that thought evaporates into thin air when the girls are brought out on stage. There is a crowd of men congregated around the stage, and the area fills with whistles and loud hollers as the half-naked girls are each placed on a pedestal.
Each girl looks more scared than the next, their eyes wide with shock, their body shaking, but the worst part is that they are in chains. In actual chains. There are collars around each of their necks, and a chain hangs down that’s connected to their handcuffed hands, which hang in front of them.
You’ve gotta be kidding me. How can they just sell another human like this? Tie them up like animals and display them like this is a circus. Rage burns through my veins.
The host starts talking, introducing the first girl, but my mind is in chaos, I can’t even comprehend what he is saying. Men start bidding, and I feel like I’m going to be sick. I want to ask Julian how to stop this nonsense but can’t get my lips to move.
“Drink your wine,” Julian’s voice pierces through the heavy fog. He holds the glass of red wine I’d easily forgotten while watching this horrible event out in front of me, and I take it on autopilot. “Drink,” he orders as if that’s going to help me process what’s going on.
“Sold, to number six-o-one!” The auctioneer calls just as I bring the glass to my lips.
“Fucking Christ!” Julian growls, “I need to talk to Markus. I’m going to leave you here at the bar. Do not get up, do not go anywhere, even the bathroom, and do not talk to anyone. I will be within distance and watching you the entire time. If you try and run, I will not only hurt Marie, but I will punish you. Understand?”
Gulping a little more of the wine down, I nod. The fear of being left alone creeps up my spine, making my gut tighten. Even with the auction taking place, I just know someone is going to come over and try and touch me, but Julian doesn’t seem to care about what I want. Maybe everything he’s said tonight is true? Maybe he’ll sell me or let someone take me? I can imagine myself up on that stage.
Yes, being with Julian hasn’t been easy, but it’s surely nothing like what those girls have been through. I grip the glass of red wine a little tighter and watch as he takes his drink and strolls over to where Markus is standing.
Peeking over my shoulder, I look at where he is standing and to the dark-haired man that he is talking to. I’ve only seen him twice, including the night I was taken. I think Julian is trying to keep his men away from me on purpose.
They seem to be arguing, Markus’s face is completely unaffected even as Julian snarls at him.
When Julian’s eyes lift to meet mine, I panic and look back down at the floor, trying to ignore everything that’s going on around me. Ignoring that women are being sold, ignoring that men are looking at me like I’m for sale, and most of all, ignoring the fact that there isn’t anything I can do about it.
I thought I knew what the mafia was about... I was wrong, so wrong. My fingers tremble against the glass, and I truly feel like I’m going to barf. Julian needs to hurry because I’m not sure how much longer I can keep up this charade.
“Hello, Elena,” an unknown voice greets me. I don’t answer or even lift my head, but out of the corner of my eye, I see someone taking a seat two spots down from me. “It’s okay, you don’t need to say anything, just listen.” He is just talking loud enough for me to hear, and I’m guessing that’s by design.
“You know, I almost had you. I was so close, but Moretti outbid me. Tell me, how tight is your pussy? I mean, is it really that tight and pink? Is it worth ten million, you think?”
I want to get up, to walk away, but I’m reminded of what Julian said.
“Truthfully, I wouldn’t have ever paid that much... but for a second, I was so sure I was going to get you. When your father started taking bids, I had a playroom put together for you. I bought chains and whips, and a butt plug so big it would’ve ripped your tight little asshole apart, but not before your virgin cunt had bled all over my cock.”
“Please, go away,” I whisper, just wanting him to stop. I don’t care if Julian punishes me. I can’t listen to another word that comes out of this man’s mouth. I feel degraded like dirt beneath his feet.
“She speaks.” He chuckles, making me feel slimy and dirty. “Do you think Julian would let me have you for a night? Let me fuck your pussy and ass, let me own your body?” Leaning closer, he whispers, “I mean, he’s not here right now, so who’s to stop me?”
Something bad is going to happen, I just know it. I can’t see his face, mainly bec
ause I refuse to look up, but I do see his tattoo-covered hand creeping closer to me. Just the thought of him touching me makes my skin crawl.
Leaning away from him, I try and put distance between us, but he easily reaches me, his fingers almost touching my thigh. I jerk back, twisting in my seat to get away from him, but he just leans in closer.
A scream builds in my throat, but what good would that do? No one would care or try and help me. Here, I’m nothing to no one, not even Julian.
“Playing hard to get, I like it. I love it when they beg me to stop while I fuck them.” His fingers graze my skin this time, his nails raking across my skin, digging into the flesh, and that’s when I lose it. I don’t care what Julian does to me for disobeying. I don’t care if he punishes me. Anything is better than this man touching me.
I scurry off the chair, almost getting my heel stuck on the bar stool. The unknown man snickers at my attempt to get away in a hurry, but at this point, I don’t care. I turn toward Julian and find him arguing with Markus, so involved in his conversation that he is completely oblivious of the conversation I just had.
My feet carry me to him as fast as I can make them move without face-planting on the floor. All I can think about is getting to him because deep down, even if I’m afraid he’ll sell me or give me to someone else, part of me feels protected when I’m in his arms, and that’s what I need right now. His protection. For him to tell me it’s okay because right now, I’m anything but okay.
20
Julian
“What do you mean vacation? You can’t just take a fucking vacation! You are my second in command. You’re in the mob.”
“I can, and I will,” Markus tells me, arms crossed over his chest. Of all of my men, Markus is the last person I expected to fucking do something like this.
What the fuck is he thinking, buying this girl, and going on a vacation? He is in the mob, we don’t go on fucking holiday.
Pinching the bridge on my nose, I grind my teeth and suck in a deep breath. “Markus–” I start, but I’m cut short by someone grabbing my arm. My whole body tenses, and I curl my hands into a tight fist, ready for a fight, but when I look down at my arm, I find Elena’s small hands wrapped around it.