Page 34 of Ruthless Reign

She cocks her head to the side. “Despite being stunningly beautiful and well over eighteen… I think you’re a virgin. Am I right?”

My cheeks flame red. I don’t know why she’s asking me this, but there’s no point in denying it.

I nod and bite my lip. “My life is complicated.”

“Oh, I’m sure. It always is.” She takes a breath and skims her hand down my arm. “Please forgive me for being so forward. We rarely recruit for this sort of thing, but you’re an exquisite beauty that our elite members would appreciate. I’d kick myself if I didn’t say something.”

I gesture to the women splayed out on the table. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do… do that.”

Her lips tip up at the corners. “Not that, exactly. We conduct auctions here, where women sell off their virginity to the highest bidder. It’s very, very lucrative. It’s not unheard of for a woman as lovely and innocent as yourself to take home a number close to six figures. American dollars, that is.”

My mouth falls open. Auction my virginity? That’s depraved … even if she’s offering up a mind-blowing sum.

I shift uncomfortably. “I couldn’t do that.”

She huffs out a breath of amusement. “Everyone says that… at first. But I’ll tell you this. We have a rigorous screening process; we’ve never had a problem with any of our patrons. The act happens here, on-site, immediately after the auction, with very strict safety measures in place. We’ve never had a complaint. And we wire the money to you that very night.”

My heart pounds fiercely in my ears. What she’s suggesting is unfathomable, but so is the money she’s offering.

Money that would be available immediately.

Money I could grow quickly through day trading.

Money I can use to free Sofiya and myself from Anatoly, and if need be, my parents as well.

It’s a crazy prospect. In no other circumstance would I be considering this, but if I do this right, this could be my ticket to freedom.

From the corner of my eye, I see Kira enter back into the performance space.

“I’ll think about it,” I say to Paulina.

I mean it. I don't know if I could actually go through with it, but it's an opportunity I need to consider at the very least.

She drops something that feels like a business card into my hand. I quickly slip it into my clutch.

“I know this is happening very quickly, but there’s an auction at midnight. You have my number. Call me when you’ve made your decision.” Paulina starts to turn away but then pauses. “Just so you know, I’ll reserve the prime slot of the night for you. I think you’d fetch a very pretty penny, my dear.” She saunters off, leaving me to pick my jaw up off the floor.

My eyes scan the crowd, landing on Kira heading towards me, and Roman in the distance. I try not to read too much into it. Even if he saw me and Paulina talking, he has no idea what was said.

Kira approaches me, giving Paulina a quick glance as she makes her way around to the other patrons. “What was that about?” she asks..

“Oh, nothing.” I pray that I have a decent poker face. “She just wanted to make sure I’m enjoying myself.”

Kira raises her eyebrows. “Are you?”

“It’s wild.” I grin. “But no complaints.”

“Good. That was the point of tonight. The point of this whole trip.” She gives my arm a squeeze and drops a kiss on my cheek before wandering off to take in the show.

A shiver coasts down my back when I hear the familiar deep rasp in my ear. “Want to tell me what that was about, milaya?”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

ROMAN

A whisper-soft breath escapes between her lips. Her body stiffens, but she doesn’t turn around to face me, even when I pull her into the shadows. I keep her back to my front so we look like any other of the guests enjoy the show.

Most of the other patrons, including Kira, are now on the other side of the room, watching the final performance of the night. It’s a multi-person orgy in a giant inflatable pool, with everyone naked but still masked. This place is something else.

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