Page 115 of Chasing Sarah

“So, we left a message for him. You know, in case Callie’s boyfriend is right, and Eddie is actually staying there.”

I scramble out of Tommy’s arms. “What did you do?”

The anxious feeling in my stomach seems to worsen as the night goes on.

We’ve been ‘mingling’ until the start of the auction is announced. There are faces I recognize, and it’s nauseating. Politicians. Celebrities. Billionaires.

You hear stories about the corruption in society, but to see it in person? It’s something I wish to never experience again.

The more time I spend seeing how relaxed and excited these people are, the angrier I become. The desire to lose my fucking shit grows, becoming nearly impossible to control.

Rhys senses my continuous shift in emotions. He stays close, always making sure to have some part of his body touching mine.

While it’s comforting, it’s barely touching the surface.

A stocky man steps through a set of double doors to the right and the room falls silent. Everyone focuses their attention on him.

“Welcome, friends.” He smiles wide, his botched veneers on full display. they’re obnoxiously white and too large for his mouth. “If you’d please follow me, we are ready to begin.”

We file out of the room where they’ve had us wait and make our way down a set of stairs. Mine and Rhys’ heads are on a swivel, trying to find any sort of clue of where they might be holding the girls. I spot a small corridor, which seems very out of place. My hand knocks against Rhys’ and I discreetly gesture with my chin.

He nods, understanding what I’m meaning.

“I spotted some restrooms on the way down, we’ll need to see if one of us can excuse ourselves and check that hallway.”

“I’ll do it.”

He gives me a bored expression, clearly not agreeing with my statement.

We’re led into a room with a stage set up like you’d see at a runway show. They’re going to display them as though this isn’t a disgusting event.

I clench my fists and my hackles raise.

Everyone takes their seats. Soon the lights are dimmed, and the auction begins.

Bile rises up my throat, burning when I choke it down.

“Ready when you are,” Declan’s voice rings in the comms Rhys and I are wearing. Luckily, it’s small enough to go unnoticed unless you’re looking for it.

“Auction is starting now. We found a hallway we’re going to check out as soon as we can,” Rhys says quickly, leaning in so it appears he’s whispering in my ear.

“Keep me posted.”

The same man who brought us in now stands center stage, holding a microphone. “You’re in for a real treat tonight, friends. Our stock is plentiful to meet your every need.”

Stock?

Is this guy for real?

A low snarl pushes past my lips. Rhys takes my hand in his, setting it on his lap.

“We’ll find them,” he whispers.

Paige and Emily flash in my mind as the first girl steps on stage. Her appearance is daunting. She’s thin. The hollowness in her eyes is hard to miss. She’s wearing a delicate white gown, clearly meant to emphasize her youth.

Paige and Emily experienced the horrors that are reflected in those sad eyes. They had to live through the same pain.

I clench my eyes shut.

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