Page 33 of Savage

“The next item is a beauty. She’s been trained for several years, and she’s as obedient as a dog that’s been beaten into submission and willingly serves its master.”

The words bring about a roar of laughter, and the tears that sting my eyes are threatening to spill. The problem I’m facing is that these men would enjoy seeing me cry, so I bite back the fear and heartbreak.

“Five million,” a deep rumble comes from somewhere in the crowd.

I can’t see who it is, because of the bright lights. But I’m not sure I want to see the faces of the men who are bidding. I’ll be going home with one of them soon enough.

“Ten million.”

The new bid gets a few gasps and shouts, but no one else calls out a higher figure, and I realize my new owner is richer than all the other men in attendance.

“Sold, to number one four eight,” the auctioneer shouts as he hits his gavel on the wooden block.

It doesn’t take long for me to be tugged from the stage and replaced with another girl. I’m waiting in the back room when the door flies open, and there on the threshold is a man with the blackest, most evil eyes I’ve ever seen.

“You’re a pretty one,” he says to me. “I’m nothing like your previous owner,” he murmurs as he leans in and runs his nose along my cheek. “I love to make pretty little things, like you, break.”

Anger flares through me, and I bite out, “I’m already broken. Nothing you do can shatter me more.”

The harsh swat of his large hand against my cheek sends me flying onto the floor. My white dress, like my virtue, is no longer pristine. I’m tainted. I should have known I’d get punished for talking back, but I couldn’t help my anger taking hold of me. That’s why my previous owner doesn’t want me anymore. I’m too fiery for him.

“You’ll learn to obey, little thing. You may want to fight, but I have ways and means to make sure you forget you were ever human. Don’t ever speak back to me again.” he threatens. “I won’t kill you. I’ll just make sure you wish you were dead.”

“I hope you enjoy your acquisition.” A voice comes from the doorway.

My new owner smiles, a dark, menacing grin, before he answers, “Oh, I’m sure I will. First thing’s first, though, she’ll need to be broken in. Then it’s on with the show.”

I’m not sure what he means, but not long after, I’m bundled into a car and driven away from the warehouse. When we finally arrive at our destination, I realize it’s a mansion in the middle of nowhere. This looks like a normal house where normal people live.

It’s only when I’m taken to the basement, I realize there’s nothing normal about this place.

When my new owner said he would make me wish I was dead, he wasn’t lying.

13

HARPER

Panic is the only thing racing through me as I make my way out of the house. I should never have come to Paris. The gala was a mistake. I knew Bane would recognize me. There’s no way he could look into my eyes and not know who I am.

I allowed myself to get too fucking close to him. It was a stupid mistake, and now the message on my phone is burning itself into my mind. The text from Bane is clear, if I don’t go to him, he’ll come for the people I love.

I can’t take that chance.

Did you really think you could hide behind a mask? I recognized your scent.

Come to me, pet. Or both the people you love will die.

When Bane realized it was me at the gala, he must have used his contacts to track down my phone number. But I’m not going to cower to him anymore, and I will never put the two people who mean the world to me in danger.

Dante and Rayne were still asleep in bed when I left them, and as I slip into the taxi, I don’t dare take a last look at the house. If I do, I know I’ll end up running back to them, begging for their help.

I can’t to do that to them. I know my girl is struggling after her mother escaped, and she needs time to heal. Dante will watch over her, and eventually, they’ll find Mrs. Atwood. As for me, I’m not sure where I’ll be in a few hours.

There’s no telling what Bane wants from me. He could have blown my cover at the gala, but he didn’t, which means he didn’t want Dante to know he recognized me.

As the car weaves through the streets of the city, I look out the window. I try to focus on the lights flashing by, but my mind is racing with thoughts of what I’m walking into.

I try never to think about Bane and the terrible abuse I suffered at his hands. I managed to get away from him and my father once before, but now he’s getting me back, I know he’ll never let me go again.

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