Page 21 of Zade (Den of Sin)

I walk into the club and am met by security like last time. My cheeks flush red as I tell them why I’m here, “I want to sign up for the auction.”

“Identification please?”

Handing it to him, he arches an eyebrow, “Eighteen?”

I nod, “Barely.”

He gives me back my license and says, “Follow me.”

Walking behind him I follow him to an office, “A new addition for auction night,” he tells a blonde woman and walks out. My eyes dart quickly around the room, there’s a black desk against the far wall, and two matching chairs on the other side of it, a computer, and that’s it. It’s not as flashy as the rest of the place.

“Name?”

Taking a deep breath I say, “Amira.”

She rises from her chair and hands me a clipboard, “You need to check off what you’re willing to do. Did you bring your STD clearance?”

I pull it out of my purse and hand it to her, “I’ll make a copy and give you back your original.”

Without a word she walks out of the room, her warmth is well, not very warm.

You can do this, Amira.

I take another deep breath and go through the checklist. I choose to not check off anything that involves hitting because what if it’s not Zade, and I choose to continue. It could get out of hand, I don’t want that. I also decided against being tied up for the same reason. The more I think about it the more I realize, it’s Zade or bust. I can’t give myself to another man. I grin as I go back over the form and check everything off except golden showers cause that’s a definite ick for me.

The blonde walks back in and hands me my STD paper, “You can back out at any time. We are big on consent here. All of the members here will be respectful of your choice to say no at any time. If they don’t they won’t be members anymore.”

That’s what Cyndi said but I’m relieved to hear it from this woman.

“You will go on the stage when it’s time, Sin will introduce you and begin the bidding. You get eighty percent of whatever the winning bid is, should you go through with it.”

Handing her my checklist, I glance at her overly put-together outfit, black leather pants and matching sleeveless shirt, heels that are taller than any stiletto I’ve seen, “Do a lot go through with it?”

She smirks, “Not a lot but it happens. Dress off.”

I pull my dress over my head, fold it up, and tuck it into my purse. Taking a glance at my checklist she raises a curious brow, “Brave girl,” she says more to herself I think than me.

“Follow me,” she says and opens the door. Walking behind her, I take in the club that’s getting more packed by the minute. Well-dressed men sit in seats surrounding the empty stage. The music playing is dark and sexy, and the overhead purple, blue, and pink lights give me the feeling of these people waiting for someone important to hit the stage, a rockstar or something. We stop at a set of lockers behind a half wall, “Put your purse in there. It will be safe until you’re ready to leave.”

Releasing a shaky breath, I place my purse inside the locker, she locks it for me and turns to walk away so again I follow her.

She takes me to the side of the stage and motions for me to sit next to four other women. I take a seat and she smiles a fake smile, “We’ll be getting started shortly. When your name is called, come to the stage.”

I glance out to the crowd searching for one face I’m praying to see but he’s not here. Zade isn’t here. What if I was wrong? What if he doesn’t care what I do with my body?

The girl to my immediate left whispers, “Please tell me I’m not the only one shaking in my boots?”

Glancing over to her, I shake my head, “No, you’re not the only one.”

She taps her leg nervously as she twangs, “I just moved here and if I don’t get money fast, I’ll be on the street, if I can’t do this I’m screwed.”

The way she says screwed with her cute little country accent almost makes me giggle but I stifle it not wanting her to think I’m making fun of her. I grab her hand, “It’s going to be okay. Take a breath. My friend lost her virginity here recently and it was a good experience. We’ve got this.”

Her hazel eyes gaze into mine almost thankfully, “I’m Kierra,” she says, and I respond, “Amira. Nice to meet you in these awkward circumstances,” I giggle.

A man comes to the stage and I look out into the crowd again but no Zade. He isn’t coming. The pit in my stomach grows as I attempt to swallow down my nerves.

“Good evening, the beautiful man on the stage says, his voice deep and filled with authority.”

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