Page 40 of Ruthless Savage

Why did I just say that?! When will I learn to keep some things to myself?

“My sincerest apologies. But I assure you, sometimes these things work themselves out.”

“Not this time.” Tears burn my eyes, and I’m thankful this stranger can’t see them.

“Well, I won’t tell him either. You have my word, and my word means a lot. Now, I must go. Business calls. If you need anything, just ask any of the people wearing the red collars. They work for me.”

I glance around and find a good few of them. “Thank you.”

But when I look back, he’s gone. Just like a phantom, disappearing as quickly as he came. Whoever this man is, I don’t want to know him. He scares the crap out of me.

I start in the opposite direction, needing to find Karen so we can go home. As I pass more rooms on each side of me, sounds of pleasure spill into the hallway. How big is this damn place? Before I can head back the other way, something catches my attention.

The room is set up like a theater. A stage is at one end, and a man with a full-faced black mask stares out at a seated crowd. There are definitely over a hundred people here.

What the hell is this?

Discreetly, I slip into an empty seat at the end of one row, curiosity keeping me here as the emcee continues to address the crowd.

“Welcome to the auction.” He throws both arms in the air, but no one claps or cheers.

They stay silent, their eyes on him.

Leaning into the woman beside me, I get her attention until she faces me through a black lace mask, bright red lips slightly lifting up.

“What sort of auction is this?” I whisper.

“A virginity auction, dear.” She says it so plainly, like this is completely normal.

“A wha?—”

But I don’t get to finish the words as the emcee continues. “The first young woman is nineteen, beautiful, educated, and willing.”

A woman with a black gown and red collar brings out the girl out by the hand.

The young woman wears a see-through white gown, her entire body on display, a mask on her like the others. Hers is white, made of lace and feathers.

“You’ve never been here before, I gather,” the woman beside me says.

“No.” I shake my head.

“That’s okay.” She scoots closer, a finger running up my arm. “You have a gorgeous figure.”

“Thank you?”

“Don’t sound so offended. I appreciate beauty in all forms. Have you ever been with a woman before?”

I shake my head again, my throat going parched.

She laughs seductively. “Have you ever been with a man?”

“No.” My entire face ignites with heat.

“Oh.” Her interest is piqued even more. “Well, you have a lot in common with the girls on stage, then.”

“And…and what happens to them?”

“Well…” She peers at the young woman as people begin to bid on her, lifting up one of those auction number signs. “The lucky winner gets to fuck her and take her virginity tonight, and we get to watch if we want to.”

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