Page 7 of Sold on Them

“I know,” I tell her with a shrug. “But just because he’s helping me out doesn’t mean I can’t help him, and you, out too. The kid said this might become a regular thing, so that’s nice.”

“No shit?” Rachel’s eyes shift as someone steps up to the bar. “Duty calls.”

Still smiling, I turn around to return to my walking of the area but find Tyrone right behind me. “Hey, man. What’s up? Do you want to swap?”

“No, what I want is for you to stop peddling your damn drugs. You’re making me complicit in your crimes. I’m not going to lose my job because you’re dealing. Ian is going to find out eventually, and then we’ll both be in trouble.” Tyrone’s eyes flash with anger. “I need this damn job, Damon.”

I hold up my hands in surrender. “So do I, Tyrone. In fact, I need both of these jobs plus my daytime job to pay my bills. If you want no part in what I’m doing, all you have to do is ask to not be partnered with me anymore. Just know I’m always scheduled to work VIP, and nothing you say will get me moved.”

“We’ll see about that.” Tyrone stomps back to his spot at the top of the stairs like a petulant child.

Rolling my eyes, I ignore his glares and get on with doing my fucking job. Now I’m going to have to talk to Ian and let him know about Tyrone’s bullshit.

“Hey, Damon,” a gorgeous redhead in her forties calls to me from across the room. It takes me a moment to remember her name—Lyra. She’s a regular in the VIP area, but she’s not one of my customers. I’ve talked to her a few times, and surprisingly, she’s not hit on me.

I’m not saying that because I think everyone should hit on me. It’s just that the women at the club usually only talk to me to try to get in my pants. None of them succeed, but I’ve just never understood what Lyra got out of chatting with me.

“Hi, Lyra. You look lovely tonight.” I allow my eyes to run appreciatively over her. It’s not even a lie. She’s gorgeous and dressed for sin tonight.

She waves my words off. “That’s nice of you, but you know I have no desire to sleep with you.”

“And I have no desire to sleep with you,” I retort, causing her to laugh. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t pay you a compliment when it’s due.”

“At least we’re on the same page. Look, there’s actually something I wanted to discuss with you. I have an opportunity I’d like to share with you.” She gestures for me to take the seat across from her.

Frowning, I wonder what she’s talking about. A quick glance around the VIP area reveals there are only a handful of patrons remaining this close to closing, so I drop into the indicated chair. “What kind of opportunity?”

“One where you’ll make five hundred thousand dollars.”

“Oh?” I perk up at that. That kind of money could go a long way in making sure my mom is taken care of. “Tell me more.”

Lyra pulls a business card out of her purse and slides it across the table to me. Embossed onto the card is A Night to RememberAuction. The only other thing on the card is an email address, giving nothing else away.

Lifting my gaze to her, I frown. “What’s this?”

“The opportunity of a lifetime. I can give you the bare basics so you can make your decision. The auction involves selling off willing merchandise, both men and women, to wealthy clients for the weekend. Once they’re sold, they go with the winners and are returned about forty-eight hours later.”

“A sex auction,” I hiss. “I’ve heard about shit like this, but I thought it was usually unwilling people being sold.”

She laughs. “Not quite the same thing. You’re thinking of human trafficking. What this auction offers is a fantasy weekend for clients with the merchandise of their choice. You wouldn’t be forced to do anything you’re not comfortable with. There’s a screening process on both ends. You’ll be safe.”

“I’m not worried about being safe.” I scoff. “A weekend of sex with a woman—“

“Or man, if you’re into that. Maybe a non-binary. Or even a group of people. The options are endless.”

Well, that’s interesting.

“I’m down for any and all of those options,” I say with a laugh. “A weekend of sex with the winners, and I’m given five hundred thousand dollars? No strings attached?”

“No strings,” she agrees. “All you have to do is send an email to the address on the card to let them know you’re interested in applying for the auction, and the ball will get rolling. They’ll go over everything else with you. I’m just here to give the sales pitch.”

I hum. “And what do you do? Find desperate people and offer it up to them?”

Lyra laughs again. “Not quite. I’m a scout of sorts. I look for people who would make good merchandise, and I offer a choiceto them. You work so damn hard, Damon, and I think you could use a break. This could be that for you.”

I pull my phone out of my pocket and snap a picture of the card, sending off the required email before grinning at her. “I could use a break. Thanks, Lyra.”

“Not even going to think about it first?” She looks amused as she taps her perfectly manicured nails on the table.

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