Page 22 of Zade (Den of Sin)

The woman from earlier approaches and tells Kierra, “Come with me. You’ve been removed from the auction.”

I glance at her with concern, but she gets up and follows the unnamed blonde woman back to the office. Returning my attention to the stage I hope Kierra will be okay.

“Let's start the auction, shall we?”

He glances at the remaining four of us sitting beside the stage like cattle waiting to be slaughtered.

First, he calls the name, Kelsey, and she walks up to the stage looking like the picture of confidence. She holds her head high like she knows she’s worth a million dollars. Damn. I wish I was that self-confident. I wonder if it's all an act but as she places her hand on her hip and stares at the salivating man I decide confidence like that can’t be faked.

I sit watching girl after girl get auctioned before I’m called to the stage. When he calls my name, I attempt to look as self-aware as Kelsey did but am sure I’m failing. Again, I look at the crowd and notice that Zade isn’t here in this room.

The announcer stares at me, “Amira, here only has one limit. No golden showers, boys. Other than that she’s up for anything. Brave little virgin.”

My cheeks heat with embarrassment as I notice the man in the front adjusting himself. He looks to be in his mid-fifties, with graying hair, an expensive suit, and a stern expression. The way he stares at me I know he’ll bid. I suppose he’s attractive but he’s not Zade.

“Turn around,” the announcer says so I do when I hear a groan from the man that I assume is the same one that’s been ogling me.

When I turn back around facing the crowd I spot anger that appears to be mixed with lust. Zade stares at me with an intensity I’ve never seen, his chest rises and falls with heavy breaths almost like he ran here. His gaze travels the length of my body as his jaw clenches, and then he approaches the stage like he owns the place.

He motions for the announcer to come over and they exchange heated whispers but then he nods and steps back. What just happened? Is he going to watch my body being sold to another man? Zade shakes his head at me as the announcer says, “Opening bid is ten thousand dollars.”

The man in front calls out, “Twenty-Thousand.”

Unshed tears fill my eyes as the bids roll in, none of them Zades. I lower my gaze to the floor in defeat, as my heart beats so loud I feel it in my throat. When I glance back at him, my body trembles at the fury I’m met with.

ChapterFourteen

AMIRA

I’ve never seen Zade’s eyes as dark as they are right now. He’s pissed. Okay, this was a bad idea. The worst one I’ve ever had. I want to run and hide but now I have no choice. I have to see it through. Hold my head high and take whatever happens as it comes. A new man chimes in, “Twenty-five thousand.”

Zade says nothing, his glare stays firmly affixed on me.

“Thirty-thousand,” another voice calls out.

He balls his fists, clenches his jaw, and yells, “Fifty thousand dollars.”

I gasp. He did not just offer up that much money for something he could’ve had for free. The man running the auction chuckles, “Going once, twice, sold for fifty thousand dollars. Any objections?”

I stare at him stunned, and then he clarifies, “You may accept the winning bid or decline it for one of the lower bids.”

I glance at the different men who bid then back to Zade who looks like a volcano ready to erupt and say, “I accept the highest bid.”

Slowly I walk over to Zade, terrified of him for the first time.

“Are you impressed with yourself?” He growls with anger rolling off him in waves.

I shake my head but don’t respond with words.

He grabs my hand and pulls me toward the entrance. After he signs a receipt, we head out to his truck.

“Where the fuck are your clothes?” He barks.

I point towards my car, “I have my car, I can drive. My clothes are Inside the locker.”

He opens the passenger door, “Get in, Amira.”

I do as he says, he closes the door before getting into the driver's seat, “I’m sorry.”

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