Page 36 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 1

“There you go,” I responded noncommittally.

“You’re an enigma…”

“So are you,” I interrupted. “This is the first I’m seeing you and I’ve known Alana for a long time. Never seen you before.” I dragged my gaze up and down her form. “Though you look like you shop at the same stores. What? Did you guys get a buy-one, get-one deal?” I smiled innocently even though I knew my observation hit the target when she winced.

Jade glared. “I’m the Madam’s protégé.”

I had no clue what a protégé was or did, so I nodded.

The door to the conference room opened and a gaggle of people entered. I jumped out of the leather chair and immediately took up a position in the back of the room to assess what was taking place. Jade grabbed the paperwork on the table, putting it neatly into a stack.

Madam Alana entered at the back of the pack, her lips twitched into a barely there smile before she dipped her head in greeting at me and then approached Jade.

“Did everything go well with Maia?” she asked.

“Yeah, but we didn’t have time to review the male bidders’ images so she could X one out if she wanted,” she replied.

“Maia, darling, did you want to see the bidders and choose one you’d like to remove from bidding? Every candidate gets to review the images of the people attending and mark one off based on sight alone.” She explained in front of the entire group.

I shook my head. “Why would I want to limit my options?”

She smiled fully which I found odd. “As I suspected,” she praised, and I felt my spine unfurl as I stood taller.

“Thank you, Jade. Go ahead and get these sent over to the attorney and I’ll brief the candidates before we take them to get their makeovers.”

“Of course.” Jade nodded and left the room.

Alana took the seat at one end of the table. She gestured with a hand to the chair next to her. I moseyed over and eased into the seat, ensuring I had a good view of the exit in the event I needed to bolt for any reason. Another street fact—always be aware of all exits. One never knew when they’d have to bail from a difficult situation.

“Welcome, everyone.” Madam Alana sat up in her chair. “Today will be very busy. After our chat here, you will be taken to one of the ballrooms to get made over. Makeovers include, but are not limited to facials, pedicures, waxing, makeup, hair, and, of course, attire.”

One of the women beamed at the idea of a makeover. She was blonde with big blue eyes that oozed joy and happiness. She looked like a living, breathing rainbow. Her clothing was a wild mix of patterns and swirling colors. Her wrists had so many beaded bracelets they made noise when she moved her hands. Long dangling earrings fell from her ears like dripping icicles.

“I can see Summer is entertained by the prospect of being made over.” Alana looked at the rainbow woman I was evaluating.

“Girl, I’m hella excited,” she spoke, a big, toothy white smile spread across her glossy pink lips. “It’s like a spa day!” Summer gushed.

A ridiculously beautiful redhead rolled her eyes. “No, it’s not,” she tutted. “Alana, why am I here? I’m not in the regular auction anyway.” One of her perfectly shaped eyebrows cocked in what could only have been disdain.

First of all, the redhead didn’t say “Madam” which I understood to be a no-no in mixed company. I perched on the edge of my seat, put my elbows to the table, and looked from Alana back to the redhead. I was eager to see a battle play out.

“Julianne.” Madam Alana’s tone was icy cold.

Daaaannnnggggg, this was going to be good.

“Yes, Godmother.” She batted her eyelashes.

Godmother! Oh, shit.

I watched as Julianne crossed her arms over one another in that arrogant manner wealthy people tended to fall back on. The redhead exuded old money with her perfect hair, makeup, clothing, and poise. She also wore a pantsuit that had to havebeen tailored to fit her. If she wasn’t sitting in this room filled with candidates, I would have thought the woman was a bidder, not a participant.

Why was the Madam auctioning off her own goddaughter?

My mouth dropped open and I straight up stared at the two women, my head jockeying from one glare to the next. Every single last person in the room held their breath in anticipation of what the Madam would do and say.

“Not that I need to explain myself,ma petite fleur,”she said in French. I had no idea what she called her, but it didn’t sound mean. “As I have instructed everyone here, my standards are exacting. The bidders will be paying no fewer than three million dollars for the benefit of your hand in marriage. I prefer to have my candidates look and feel their absolute best. You may have had more advantages in life, but you will undergo the same process as everyone else here. That is the last I will speak on it. If you do not wish to follow my guidelines and expectations, the exit is right there.” Alana lifted her chin toward the large double doors.

Julianne snarled and sat back in her chair. “Fine. I apologize. Please continue.” She ultimately gave in.

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