“And this must be the Romero girl. Maybe if I had seen her in person, I would have paid the ten million dollars you did.” He chuckles. “You know he offered me the same deal, but I didn’t think any pussy was worth that much. Now that she’s in front of me, I think maybe I made a mistake.”
“Maybe you did.” Julian shrugs. “I can tell you she is well worth the price, though. A little inexperienced, but her pussy knows what to do.”
“Mmm, just what I like to hear. So, what do you say, can I have her for a night? See for myself. Of course, I’ll compensate you accordingly, and I won’t break her too badly.”
Bile rises up my throat, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to vomit. Why would Julian say something like that? Act as if we’ve slept together already. Why is he acting like I’m nothing but a piece of flesh? The questions build, right along with my anxiety.
“You’re not the first to ask today.”
“Interesting, maybe we can set up a private party? Get some of the guys together and share her? Fuck, we both know Romero will lose his shit. We could even send him a video after, he’d enjoy that.”
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?