"Russian roulette, my darling. You want to play?"
It feels as if all the air has been sucked out of the room. I don't respond, but he grins, aiming the gun at my temple. My body tenses. I have a one-in-six chance of dying right here, right now, if he fires that gun.
"N-No," I manage to get out.
"You're scared? Poor little pet." He laughs and pulls the trigger.
My life doesn't flash in front of my eyes, but I feel myself go deathly still, anticipating the end. But it doesn't come. There was no bullet.
"Fuck," I breathe.
"Fuck indeed," Audra's father bellows, spinning again. "Let's give it another try."
"How about no." Dex appears next to me, his eyes stormy and his expression filled with rage. "You leave her alone."
"And who are you to tell me that, boy?" The man points his gun back at my temple and I shiver in anticipation. One-in-five chance now... The more he does this, the bigger the chance I'll die.
"P-Please," I mutter. "Stop h-him."
Dexter tackles the guy and suddenly there's the sound of a gunshot. Someone shrieks. The bullet hits the pyramid of champagne flutes on a table behind us, and they topple down, bubbly liquid fizzing and dripping everywhere.
If Dexter hadn't stopped that man, I'd be dead now.
"Alright, party's over." Father appears in the room and the two men from before pull Dex off Audra's father. "The auction begins right now."
I start crying then because the terror of what almost happened has finally gotten to me. I'm a mess, tears sliding down my face and my bottom lip quivering as the men go their separate ways. Now the real fear sets in. If Audra's father is capable of this, what the fuck is he going to do to me if he wins the auction?
Dexter has to win.
As my eyes meet his across the room, I see he's come to the same realization. His mouth tightens in a firm line and he nods at me as if to say he's got my back.
Father joins me on the stage, bellowing, "We'll start the bidding at one million."
Several paddles fly up. Audra's father. Dex. Some men I don't know. None of the boys bid, and I stare them down, hoping they feel fucking guilty for what they've done to me.
"One million and a half."
A few less paddles this time.
"Two and a half." This, from Audra's father.
"Three," Dex retaliates.
"Five." The prick smirks at my ex-fiance. "You won't win this one, boy. We both know I have more money."
"We'll see," Dex smiles coolly. "Seven."
"Ten," Audra's father hisses to the sound of outraged whispers in the crowd. I can't believe this is happening. I'm being sold like cattle, and I'm ashamed of the frisson of excitement that shoots up through my body as they fight over me.
The numbers go up and the tension in the room follows. Somehow, they're at fifteen now, and Audra's father and Dex are the only two left bidding. I can barely breathe. There's no sign that the older man will give up - he seems determined to get his hands on me, and I have no doubt he'll keep going with higher and higher bids. I know Dex has a lot of money, but he's single-handedly running his family business now.
"Twenty," Dex speaks up. "And I'll give you the reins of Booth Enterprises."
The room erupts in whispers, and Father ponders Dexter's words. "You'll step down as the CEO?"
"I'll leave," Dex gets out through gritted teeth. "I won't be a part of it anymore."
"Sold." Father slams the hammer down before Audra's dad can object. His expression is one of pure, unadulterated hatred for Dex, and the joy of winning over him.
I breathe a sigh of relief, all the while knowing I've cost Dexter everything.
And when I meet his dark, furious eyes, I know I'll spend the rest of my life paying for what he just did for me.
12
Pandora
It's a day after the auction and I'm still trying to recover from the madness that took place in the banquet hall. Father has told me to pack my things. I had Belle's help, and I managed to gather a few things in a few hours. Leaving the Oakes Estate has left me in shambles. If I leave, it means I won't be able to help Minnie anymore. I won't be able to make the connections I'd hoped for with Brazen and Tianna. My father has pretty much declared me another man's property now.
As we sit in the limo driven by Kelley, I wonder whether Dex will be kinder or crueller to me now that I'm his property.
"I know what you're thinking," Father tells me coolly, and my eyes guiltily shoot to his. "You're hoping that Booth boy will be different. You're thinking you can make him fall in love with you, aren't you?"
"No," I mutter in response.
"Don't try to fool me, girl. I can tell you're head-over-heels for him. Consider this my last warning," Father says. "He'll never love you. No one in this town ever will."
I swallow thickly just as the car comes to a stop in front of the Booth Mansion. Kelley opens the door and I step into the blinding sunlight of the late Sunday morning.
Dex is waiting on the steps of his house, his arms crossed and a troubled expression on his face. His shirt sleeves have been rolled up, exposing inches of his tanned, muscular arms. My stomach tightens again. He's so handsome it hurts.
"Get out," Father snarls at me while Kelley gets the door for him. I rush to get out of the car, afraid of his punishing hand. Father's wounds from where Brazen beat him are healing, but I have never seen him more eager to inflict hurt on others than he is now.
I walk toward Dex shakily when Father shoves me from behind, making me stumble on the pebbled driveway. Dex steps in front of me, facing off with Father.
"Here's your whore," Father smirks. "You spent your family's earnings... your position at the company... on her. I sincerely hope - and doubt - it was worth it. Have fun."
He looks at me, smirking as he adds, "If you were hoping for a prince in shining armor, daughter, you'll be sorely disappointed. Because after this, your prince is broke. More of a pauper, really. Maybe that's why you get along so well. You're both charity cases."
Dex takes a step closer until he's inches away from Father's face. They dare each other to hit first while I struggle to pick myself from the driveway. I smooth down my jade-colored dress and wait for the face-off to be over.
"Come on, Pandora," Dex hisses, still watching Father. "We're going inside."
He turns around and leaves Father standing there. Before he can say something else, Dex has shut the front door behind us, effectively shutting him up.
"Is... is that true?" I whisper as he storms down the hallway.
"What?" he hisses. God, he's in a bad mood. And it looks as if it's all because of me.
"That you're broke..." I follow him to the living room where the fireplace is burning like always.
"Does it make a difference?" Dex's angry gaze meets mine. "Would it make you leave if I was?"
"I-I don't know," I whisper. "Do you even want me here?"