Page 11 of Bought and Broken

Though, I guess Sheila dodged a bullet with my father since the company went to me. My father took enough money to live comfortably for the rest of his life, but it isn’t the lavish one Sheila wanted. Regardless, Gunner got revenge in the best way possible, but I’ll never let him know that. Though the permanent smug look on his face says it all.

“Well, good luck in there,” Gunner says with a huff. “It was… well, I can’t say nice to see you, but—”

“You should go before you lose all your teeth, Gunner.” I force a smile and give him my back. He mutters to himself as he walks off. Fucking prick.

Checking my watch, I see we have less than twenty minutes before the auction starts. Dane still isn’t here. I focus on finishing my drink, because there’s no way I’m going in search of Dane. He’s a big boy and he can figure this out on his own.

When my glass is empty, one of the boys in purple shorts tells me he’ll escort me to my seat because the show is preparing to start. Honestly, Dane can fuck right off if he thinks he’s getting one of my girls. If he’s not here to do the work, then he isn’t reaping the benefits.

Chapter Five

Devon

Thankfully no one was home when the Town Car picked me up to take me to the auction. I had no idea how I was going to explain that to my brother if he’d seen me. Dane would want to know a million things, and then demand to speak to the driver. How embarrassing would that have been? I told both my father and my brother that I was spending the weekend with Summer. I brought my car to her house earlier in the day and had her sneak me back here. Luck is on my side, and hopefully it stays that way for the rest of the night—and weekend.

The ride seems to take forever. I’m anxious, but also excited. I’m eager to get the night going and enjoy this experience. It’s the first step to starting my new life. Come Monday, I can start looking for houses. There’s just a short time between me and my escape.

Once we reach the building, the driver, who introduced himself as Charlie, escorts me inside. Using his key card, we take the elevator down, and I’m handed off to a no-nonsense woman named Terrie.

After taking my name and doing something on her tablet, she holds out a bowl and tells me to “pick one.” So, I do, without question, and pull out the number fourteen. After fiddling with her tablet some more, she tells me she’s taking me to my dressing room, where someone will come by to do my hair and makeup. It all feels rushed, but maybe that’s just my nerves talking.

We stop in front of a door that has my alias on it—Kensi. I’m not sure why I chose it. The name used to have meaning to me, but for the last five years, it holds nothing but bitter memories. Yet, when I was told to use an alias, it was the first thing that came to mind. Nothing else felt right. Maybe it’ll be cathartic to use it in this sense—for the start of my new life.

Terrie opens the door, gesturing for me to go inside.

“Hair and makeup will be here shortly. Best you get into your lingerie now.” She shuts the door without another word, her heels clicking down the hall.

Okay then…

The dressing room, though small, screams sophistication with dark, rich colors. A sleek, black vanity with a pink velvet cushioned stool sits against one wall, while a floor-to-ceiling mirror occupies the other. A tear drop chandelier brightens the space, and there is one chaise lounge directly across from the door—which is where I drop my purse.

I have my lingerie on underneath my dress, so I don’t have to change. I figured this made the most sense, so I wouldn’t have to carry a giant bag or waste time changing.

I doubt I’ll spend time in clothing this weekend. I mean, I’m not being bought to sit around and play chess. Though, naked chess could be fun. Strip chess? Each piece that’s captured, someone has to remove a piece of clothing? There are more pieces than articles of clothing someone would wear, so maybe pawns and major pieces are different? We could throw in some dares, maybe? Oh, this actually sounds like it would be a blast. I hope the person who buys me is as nerdy at heart as I am, because now I need to play this.

Not sure I’ll get my wish since I laid all my personal stuff out there. I’ll probably get some perv who only buys me to take my virginity.

Because yeah, I’m a virgin. And when I was asked to list the things about me that would make me enticing, that was number one.

The fact I said I’d try anything once will also play into that… I know I’m a catch with all I listed.

Shit. What if I end up with some weird old guy with a poop fetish? I should not have said I’d try anything once, because I can’t handle being pooped on! Oh Lord, what have I done?

I shake my hands out as I pace the room, my nerves suddenly going haywire.

What in the world was I thinking? How did I think I could do this?

Panic sets in. What if the guy who buys me is seventy? What if he locks me in a cage? Why kind of virgin says she’ll try anything once? Have I truly lost my mind?

“This is a terrible idea, Devon,” I mutter to myself. I can’t believe I thought this was a good idea!

I catch my reflection in the vanity mirror and stop. I lean on the table and take a deep breath. This isn’t about giving up my virginity, I tell myself. This is about freedom; about getting out.

I’m going to have a real life after this. No more being smothered by my father and brother. If I have to spend the weekend with a seventy-year-old guy to get that, then… I guess that’s what I’m doing. Besides, if he’s here, he can’t be that bad of a person. All the men are vetted and have loads of money.

After taking a few more breaths, I smile at myself and run my hand through my hair. I can’t wait to see what the stylist does with it. I’ve considered cutting it for years now because it’s just so long and thick. I struggle to keep up with it myself.

Now feeling a little better, I tug my green dress off, fold it, and leave it with my purse, then go back to the mirror to make sure I look okay.

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