Page 75 of He Will Come for Me

“So, if you’re married, you don’t have to have sex with the person you buy,” I whisper low, so we’re not overheard. He shakes his head.

“Not if you don’t want to. Some married men want to.” I stare at the side of his face. Does that mean he really does care about me?

The auctioneer announces there are eight people up for sale, then the auction begins and Phoenix pays close attention the entire time. His hand flexes each time someone is taken away and a new person is brought up. The first few people that come up I keep waiting for him to bid, but he doesn’t. I learn as each person is brought up, if he shakes his head slightly, it’s not who he’s waiting for.

He’s waiting for a specific person. Who is it? What is his connection with this person? How does he know about them? I want to ask all of these questions, but there isn’t chatter during the auction. People are fixated on the auction. Bored and trying my best not to focus on what is actually happening, I let my gaze wander. The woman is watching me again.

She’s wearing a light blue dress tonight with a white mask. That was the same color mask my father wore when he sold me. So, is she selling too? I look away, but can’t help myself whenI keep getting drawn back to her. Who is she? And why does it seem like she has such a fascination with me? After the auction is over I want to leave, but I have to go to the bathroom badly.

Phoenix leads me out of the ballroom. “I need to go to the restroom,” I tell him. He nods slightly as we take a left out of the ballroom and into a hallway. His lips are in a thin line and his eyes are drawn tight. He stops in front of a door, but before he can say anything, I lift my hands and grip both sides of his neck.

“I’m sorry there wasn’t someone who piqued your interest,” I say, trying to be discreet. He sighs, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close. I hold him tight, giving him the comfort he obviously needs.

“Go, so we can get out of here,” he murmurs. I nod and turn to enter the bathroom. After I use the bathroom, I wash my hands and look at myself in the mirror one more time. A door clicks to my right and I snap my head in that direction. It’s the woman that keeps glaring at me. How did she get in here? I thought that was a storage closet.

“Who are you? What are you doing in here?” Her smile is a threat as I back up.

“Who I am is none of your concern.” She walks toward me until my back is against the wall and trails her long red fingernail from my cheek to my chin.

“You’re a pretty little thing, aren’t you?” I recoil from her touch. I want to scream for Phoenix, but at the same time, my curiosity is piqued. “Do you know how much Phoenix paid for you?”

I swallow and nod. “Yes, he told me.” Her eyes narrow like she wasn’t expecting that answer.

“Did you know it was because your father took his mother?” My heart stops in my chest. She clicks her tongue. “You didn’t.” I don’t respond because I’m speechless.

“The moment you were dropped off at the academy, Phoenix swore he was going to take you like your father took his mother.” I think back to all the times he was everywhere I was at. I had always hoped it was because he secretly liked me. He alluded to it earlier tonight. Did he lie? Is that why he only touches me when he has to? Is what she’s saying true? Should I trust her? She’s obviously jealous or angry.

She’s older than Phoenix and I. Was she a teacher at the academy? I don’t recognize her. Maybe I’d be able to place her better if she wasn’t wearing a mask. Her eyes are different from anything I’ve seen before. Well, except for Phoenix. I narrow my eyes at her.

“Are you Phoenix’s mother?”

She slaps my cheek lightly.“Such a smart girl.”

“How has he not noticed you?” He comes to these auctions frequently.

“I don’t attend these auctions. I didn’t attend one until he hosted the one at his house. And I only did it then because he bought you. My curiosity was piqued.” She finally steps away from me and I immediately eye the door. “And I dyed my hair. My son looks just like me. Hair and eyes.” Her hair is an auburn color, so she dyed it from a dark blonde to that.

When she turns her back, I take a small step to the door, but she turns around immediately. “Nuh uh.” She wags her index finger at me. Then she grabs me by the arm and pulls me into what I thought was a storage room, but it looks like a secret passage of some kind.

Right before she closes the door, Phoenix knocks on the bathroom. “Kenz?” I open my mouth to scream, but a large hand is placed over my mouth and I’m being dragged back so the shelves that should be there can return to their place. The person’s hand is replaced by duct tape and a black bag is yanked over my head.

I want to scream. I want to cry. But I have to force myself to remain calm so I don’t hyperventilate. “Let’s see if my son actually cares for you.” She grabs my upper arm and drags me along. I trip over my feet a few times and sometimes on the uneven ground.

“If he does try to find you and if he’s successful at rescuing you, I need you to tell him I wasn’t taken. I left.”

Chapter 36

Isit up in bed; the moonlight shining between the cracks in the curtain. I’m drenched in sweat, but I’m shaking. Phoenix is asleep next to me. I cover my mouth with my hands, trying to hold in a sob. He lied to me about so much. I know I still don’t remember everything. But he lied to me about why he bought me, our marriage, how he was rescuing me from my father, and his mom.

Slipping out of bed as quietly as possible, I tiptoe to the door.

“Kenz?” Phoenix’s voice halts me and I have to suck in a breath and force myself to turn and face him.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. I just have to use the bathroom and get a drink of water.” He hums and lays his head back down, so I leave quietly.

Standing in the hallway, I have no idea what to do now. I’m trapped here. The memory of the night with the secret room flashes before my eyes. Maybe there’s a secret room here. I tiptoe across the hallway to my old room. There are a few things left that haven't been moved yet, so I put on some black leggings and a black hoodie.

Finding a bag, I grab everything else that’s in here and quickly pack the bag. My heart feels like it’s been put into a blender and pulverized. Grabbing a hair tie, I pull my hair up and lift the hood up to cover it. Glancing at the clock in the room, I’m surprised to see it’s only two in the morning.That dream felt so long. Or memories I guess.

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