Page 23 of Kristoff

He’s grinning like a loon when I glance back up at him.

“What’s wrong with my hair?” I demand. Other than it being all messed up from his continual attacks at grabbing it.

“Nothing. But she’s going to be getting you ready for the auction in a few days, and it’s easier if she has an idea of what she’s working with. You’ll be nice to her, and you won’t bother her with any questions or try to get her to help you. She’s worked with my father for over a decade. She’s loyal to him and trying to get her to side with you will only get your ass in trouble.”

“Fine.” If she’s anything like Tricia, asking her anything would be a waste of breath anyway.

He shakes his head and heaves a heavy sigh. “You’ll end up black and blue if you keep this up.” He steps toward me, and I flinch when he grabs my arm. Spinning me around, he whacks my ass half a dozen times before it even registers that he’s spanking me. I hop from one foot to the other and try to cover my ass, but he simply avoids my hands.

“Watch your tone and mind your words!” He punctuates each word with a strong pop. By the time he’s finished, I’m out of breath and weak. I’ve never had trouble remembering to use the word Sir before, but it’s different here. It doesn’t fit him. But my burning ass reminds me I need to say it, if only for the sake of being able to sit.

I’m spun around again, and he presses his forehead to mine. For a moment, I’m sure he’s going to kiss me; he wraps his hand around my neck holding me to him. But he makes a growling sound and shoves me away from him.

“She’ll be up soon,” he says and marches out of the room. My ass hurts from the short spanking, but I don’t bother trying to rub away the sting. I just add the ache to the rest of them.

What the hell is taking my sister so long? She has to have realized I’m missing by now, and surely, she can figure out where I am.

I only have four more days left by my calculations. If she doesn’t get me, if I don’t find a way out of this place, I could really become property to someone much meaner than Kristoff. Someone that would love to see me in pain and bleed for them. I’ve heard horrible stories, seen pictures of the victims once they are found after being discarded.

I can’t become one of them.

11

Andreihas called for me, interrupting my plans to bring up a book for Magdalena to read. Being kept in one room for days on end starts to play with the mind, and I need her to be sharp when it comes time to sell her at auction. A broken slave is seen as a whipping post, and I can’t have her fall into the hands of some bastard who gets off on slicing and dicing his women.

I hand off the book to one of the servants with the new security code to my apartment and instructions to make sure Magdalena gets the material. It’s just an old novel I found in the library. My father doesn’t read, no one on the compound uses the damn room other than to hold meetings and look smarter than they actually are.

“Kristoff!” my father greets me when I walk into his office. He’s puffing on a thick cigar and walking to his desk. “I thought you’d be busy with your little pet.” He flashes me a grin I know too well. The forced sort that sends the hairs on my neck stand at attention. He’s not pleased.

“You needed something?” I ask, not taking the bait. So that’s his problem. He doesn’t like that I’ve moved Magdalena from the cells downstairs to my apartment.

The corners of his lips fall, morphing his grin into a mild sneer.

“Yes. I’ve been given an offer for the girl.” He stands behind his desk. I won’t sit until he does, he knows this and keeps standing.

“You said you would auction her off,” I remind him, my mind already playing out scenarios of what monster has put a bid in early.

“Yes, but this offer is too large to give up. Maksim wants her. He’s offered double his last purchase. We won’t see that profit at an auction,” he explains, puffing again on his cigar. He’s right. Twice the amount would cover the purchase of two or three girls.

“Why does he want her so badly? He has his own stock of women, his own slaves.” The stories I’ve heard of the women he keeps makes my stomach turn. Has he grown tired torturing his own women and now wants fresh meat?

Andrei’s eyebrows kick up in curiosity. I’ve never asked about a buyer before. I realize my mistake too late to take it back. Though I’m sure he’s already having his own theories.

“Why do you care?” he asks, pointing the cigar at me. “That’s what I want to know. You stop Matvei from having some fun with the new toy, and then you lock her away in your apartment? What’s going on, Kristoff?”

My hands clench at my sides, but I force them back open, softening my stance. He can’t see what I’m feeling. Over the years I’ve gotten very good at hiding my distaste for him, my repulsion at the man he is - I can’t let him see it now.

“It’s not like Maksim, that’s all.” I fold my arms over my chest. “When will he make the pickup, or should I get a transport ready.” Saying the words nearly strangle me.

“I haven’t decided if I’m going to take the offer. Maksim - he pisses me off with his attitude and disrespect. Like he’s so high up the food chain no one can touch him.” Him telling me about the offer is his way of seeing my reaction, seeing if I’ll protest it, but I haven’t gotten that far into thinking about it. He just gave me a ray of hope.

“I’ll keep to the schedule then until you decide.” I drop my hands and turn to leave. Waste of fucking time, this talk. His games are easily seen through. Maksim is a bigger player because he uses his fucking head for business. He’s grown his business, he’s spread out past just trafficking. My father can’t keep his dick clear of pussy long enough to think past trying out his newest slave.

“I need you tonight.” His words stop me just as I reach for the handle. His voice, deeper, darker than usual. “There’s a meeting I need you to take care of for me. A new buyer is in town for the night, wants some ass kissing. You’re going to take care of it for me. It will be good practice for you for when you take over the business.”

He says this like he’s handing over a grocery list.

“Don’t worry about your pet. I’ll make sure she’s put through her paces tonight.” I can’t help the acid feeling in my stomach, it’s churning and twisting in my stomach, burning a hole through me. To tell him no would set him off.

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