Page 5 of Soul Of A Villain

Oliver

During the thickof the heated bidding war, Item Number Fifteen finally lapsed into some sort of complacent trance after resisting several times. Oliver loved a woman’s submission, so it was inexplicable that he enjoyed this girl’s moments of resistance.

Each time, she paid dearly, however. He found himself keeping a tally of every blow she’d endured, growing increasingly agitated as evidence of her stubborn nature became more apparent with each passing moment. Maybe they would have given her more drugs if not for the planned hunt. After all, how much of a challenge would it be if their prey could barely walk?

“Congratulations, Mister Winter and Mister Barlow. As the two highest bidders, you now advance to the hunt phase.” The auctioneer shook the hands of both men before laying out forms for their signatures. “Diamond Lake Ranch will instruct you on the rules once your funds have cleared. Mister Winter, as the leading bidder, you will be given a two-minute head start before Mister Barlow is permitted to join the hunt. When Item Number Fifteen has been captured within one hour, the item will officially become the winner’s property, and ownership will transfer immediately. Please remember that no record of this transaction will be kept other than the auction’s internal log and payment transaction. This information is encrypted, and if the files containing that information are ever breached, the record is programmed to self-destruct. This is as much for your safety and peace of mind as for Diamond Lake Ranch.”

Oliver nodded in agreement, with Barlow doing the same.

One thing could be said for Diamond Lake Ranch. They certainly knew how to capitalize on an unusual situation. The auction’s setup meant two bids were collected, although there could only be a single winner. One man would lose an extraordinary sum of money with nothing to show for his greed-fueled lust. Between Barlow’s bid and Oliver’s, the total paid for the privilege of hunting and owning this girl was nearly five million dollars.

“Hell of a price to pay for a bit of pussy,” Lee drawled as he scribbled his signature on the required form.

Oliver’s lips twisted in a parody of a smile. He handed the fountain pen to the auctioneer. The man hurried away, Erik accompanying him. No doubt, the two were heading straight to the ranch’s financial office so the transactions could be approved right away. “Wondered when you would give up, Barlow. Seems the answer is somewhere around two million.”

Lee pushed his mask until it rested atop his head. He produced a cigar, bit off its end, and chuckled as he lit it. “I should have known you wouldn’t back down. Could tell right away you wanted that one even before the bidding started. If you happen to win the hunt, would you consider sharing? All for the sake of good sportsmanship, you understand. Doesn’t seem fair that one of us will be left holding our dick in our hand while the ranch collects a fortune.”

Revolt quivered throughout Oliver’s body. He tamped it down while schooling his expression into one of serene calm. “Having just paid two-point-five for the privilege of hunting that—bit of pussy… I assure you I’ll have no interest in sharing the treasure. If I catch her first, that is.”

Lee shrugged, but his eyes were shrewd. “Suit yourself, Oliver. Just know the offer stands. Maybe we can work out a deal when it comes time to exterminate her. If there’s anything left worth buying, that is.”

Oliver considered punching the politician. He would, too, if he could not extricate himself from the conversation before his temper flared any higher. “You heard the rules, Barlow. Whoever catches her must go through the ranch if a secondary sale is considered. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. Let’s get through the hunt before there’s any talk of extermination. Or secret deals.”

“Better makethose two minutes count, Winter,” Barlow taunted as people gathered on the wide stone terrace steps.

Oliver ignored the man, focusing on Item Number Fifteen instead. She’d been given a pair of gray track pants and a white sports bra, but her feet were still bare. The handcuffs had been removed, although the collar was still latched around her neck. One of the two brutes present during the auction held the end of the attached chain while the other had her arm in a punishing grip.

Caught in the floodlights illuminating the small grove, the girl appeared like a fragile, pale waif. Oliver wondered if it was true that she had killed a man. It looked like she barely had the strength to stand, her gaze roaming over the guests who’d gathered to observe the special event. When she caught sight of the two men waiting on the edge of the clearing wearing their masks from the auction, her chin trembled, fear etched across her features. It was painfully obvious how terrified she was, but it did not distract from her beauty. Dark-brown hair tumbled over her shoulders, and even in something as simple as workout garb, she was fucking stunning.

Oliver’s heart clenched, and he frowned, caught off guard by the foreign sensation.That’s fucking weird.

“Gentlemen, remember the rules for the auction. One hour to capture the target.” The man speaking to the assembled guests was Ruril Andrey, the managing director and owner of Diamond Lake Ranch. His brother, Erik, stood beside him. Together, they presented a united front in their bespoke suits and heavy, gold-and-diamond-encrusted rings flashing from thick fingers. Five blonde women, all as gorgeous and svelte as supermodels, crowded close to the two men and subtly shoved each other for the chance to hang off a brother’s arm. “She must be presented here, under your control, for the sale to be complete. You have zip ties and flashlights. Use them at your discretion. Your masks will remain on during the hunt. Makes it more interesting.”

“This is madness,” the girl said, shakily, that somehow shimmered across the grove. It was carried on the wind, shifting through the aspens and thick pines. “You are all evil, evil people… every last one of you…”

The guard holding the chain leash gave it a quick, vicious jerk. Item Number Fifteen landed on her knees, her free hand grasping the collar around her neck. Tears ran down her cheeks and mingled with the blood staining the corner of her mouth.

“Unleash her,” Ruril commanded with a wave of his meaty hand. From his perch on the upper terrace, he might have been a king issuing orders to the peasants below. “Girl, this is your chance to run.”

“Go on,” the man holding her arm instructed in a guttural voice as the chain was unclipped. He hauled her to her feet, then shoved her with such force the girl landed on her hands and knees. “Run so they can chase you.” Using the toe of his boot, he kicked her in the buttocks, propelling her forward and sprawling into the dirt.

Item Number Fifteen clenched her fists against the earth, scrambling forward to escape the guard’s boot a second time. Oliver thought she might stay down, sobbing in defeat, but in a flash, she was up and hurling handfuls of gravel and dirt into the faces of the men tasked with guarding her.

Howls of laughter erupted among the observers as the girl sprinted to the edge of the clearing. While the guards cursed and brushed away the dirt stinging their eyes behind the simple masks they still wore, she was gone in an instant. The ebony black of the woods enveloped her.

“Fucking bitch,” one of the guards muttered as they stepped back from the clearing. “They should have given her to us. We’d make her sorry she ever entered the auction.”

“Pretty sure she’s already sorry,” Oliver dryly commented as the two men took positions beside him and Lee. “Can’t imagine she signed up for something as depraved as this. Hunted like an animal and torn to pieces by men wearing masks.”

The one who had kicked the girl scowled at Oliver. “She shouldn’t have murdered one of us.”

“Noted,” Oliver said. He really didn’t care what the girl had done that landed her in this predicament. His interest lay in catching her and then fucking her hard enough to justify the money he’d ponied up for the privilege of placing the bid. But the fact this particular guard enjoyed hurting her was royally pissing him off.

Five minutes later, Ruril once again waved his hand. “Proceed with the hunt, Mister Winter. Remember you have a two-minute head start before Mister Barlow begins. Good luck.”

Oliver nodded, and contrary to what he knew the crowd expected of him, he strolled toward the edge of the trees as if all the time in the world lay at his disposal. After tucking the zip ties into his back pocket, he flicked on the flashlight and melted into the forest.

ChapterFour

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