Page 20 of My Soul for Sale

Ripley

Twenty Minutes Earlier

“That’s it for tonight, ladies and gentlemen. Please close your tablets and complete your payment if you have not done so. If you purchased an item, you will have a contract to sign. Please do so ASAP to speed up the process. As soon as the confirmation of payment and signatures are processed on my end, the merchandise’s handler will come to your table and escort you to their room to collect them for the weekend. Just a reminder, your item must be returned here by midnight on Sunday, unharmed.”

The moment the emcee finishes speaking, the lights flick on. I blink, adjusting to the brightness after being cast in darkness for the last few hours.

An Ariana Grande look alike approaches our table with a smile on her face. “Evening fellas, I’m Natalie and I will be escorting you to Birdie.”

“Thank you, Natalie.” I slide from the booth, standing up quickly, ready to see Sloane after all this time.

She's grown from a pretty teenager to a stunning adult and stood sexy as hell on stage. Ali was a looker, so it doesn’t surprise me, but what was surprising was my reaction.

Watching her move in her blue lingerie had my dick rock hard, pressing against my slacks, begging for release.

What’s wrong with me?

Not only was I married to her mom, making her my stepdaughter for a short time, but... and this is the most important reason, my son is in love with her.

No one has stirred these feelings in me for a while.

It’s going to be hell having her in the house this weekend. Especially when I know she’s going to be naked and coming right down the hall from me.

First, though, I want to know why she’s here and where she’s been.

Ali had the restraining order, but it ended when Sloane turned eighteen, so why didn’t she reach out? Did Ali poison her against us? If so, this weekend will be a lot less fun than my son thinks.

He also better hope and pray that Sloane reciprocates his feelings. To her, he may just be her ex-stepbrother and that’s that.

“Alright, gentlemen, right this way.” Natalie turns and leads us from the auction space. Her confident strides echo down the dimly lit hallway. Doors line either side, each bearing the name of the merchandise we saw earlier tonight.

Finally, we stop in front of a door labeled Birdie. Natalie pauses briefly, her hand hovering over the doorknob before she knocks once.

“Birdie, your winners are here to take you.” Natalie smiles.

Without waiting for a response, she pushes the door open.

We enter the room, and my gaze locks on Sloane. Her mouth hangs open in what I can only interpret as sheer surprise. Our eyes meet, and it feels like the world around us fades away.

Natalie's voice slices through the tension, interrupting our stare-off. "That's it for me tonight, gentlemen," she chirps. "I hope you enjoyed the auction and have an even better weekend. Birdie, I'll see you back here Sunday at midnight."

Natalie leaves and the three of us remain at a standstill, staring at each other. Sloane breaks the silence, her voice shaky and unsure.

"How? Why? Is this real?" Her words tumble out in a rush.

"It's very real, Sloane," I assure her, my voice steady despite how I feel inside.

She nervously chews on her bottom lip, her eyes searching mine for answers. "Why?"

"We're not talking here," I tell her, understanding the need for privacy at this moment. "We'll talk in the truck or at home. Let's go.”

With that, I hold out my hand, offering it to her. She takes it tentatively, grabbing her bag from the floor as she stands.

Atlas hasn’t said a word, just continuing to rake his eyes up and down her body like if he blinks, she’ll disappear. Giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, we make our way out of the room. As we step into the hall, I can't help but feel the weight of untold secrets settling on my shoulders. There are truths to be told, decisions to be made, and only a weekend to make it happen.

Chapter Twelve

Sloane

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