Page 52 of Throne of Sin

I can’t see her face anymore, but I bet she’s wearing a smug grin.

“Itwillbe happening, and you’re going to beg for my cock before I give it to you. The more you sass back, the more you’ll have to beg.”

“You’re delusional.” Her comeback is weak and she knows it.

I can play this game. I’m the one who wrote the rules.

Chapter 26

Demi

Overahundredthousanddollars were donated tonight at the fundraiser. It’s hard not to feel a tinge of jealousy. My mind keeps dreaming up ways I could use just a few thousand. I could afford to get Oakleigh into that new experimental group that shows promise. I would never have to ration medication that was never meant to be rationed.

I could desperately use a fraction of that money.

But then I feel bad for even thinking about it. The money is going to help women survive and beat the odds when everything else feels lost.

“Don’t say a word and keep your eyes down at all times,” Dante’s rough voice brings me back to the present.

“Dante, my boy!” I instantly recognize the man from the front row of my auction. My stomach crawls with the way he’s looking at me. Quickly, I cast my eyes down. “I’d say good to see you, but every time we meet up, you take what I want. If I were a self-conscious man, I’d say you do it on purpose.”

Dante laughs, shaking his hand. “It’s your competitive nature. If this one is still in good shape when I’m done, you can have her, Capella.”

“Now you’re just teasing me. Everyone knows once they hit your hands, no one will ever see them again.”

“I like to get my money’s worth,” Dante responds. I can’t believe they’re openly talking about trafficking girls at a place like this. Everyone in the room has donated and vowed to help.

The man walks away and two of Dante’s fingers lift my chin.

“I just don’t understand,” I say.

He interconnects our fingers and leads us away from the table, past the bar, toward the elevators. We stay silent. The doors ding open, we step in.

I wait for him to push me against the wall and kiss me, making good on his promise, but he doesn’t.

The doors ding again and he leads me to a hotel room.

“Can I trust you?” he asks.

I nod, my hands grow clammy at the unknown.

He swipes a plastic key over the lock and it lights green before he ushers me in and closes it behind us.

“What have you brought us tonight?” Two men in cheap-looking suits stand looking at me.

My fight-or-flight response kicks in and I try to turn back around, but Dante keeps me in his strong hands. “Gentlemen, this is Demi Gallo.”

My heart races. These guys’ hair is styled back with too much gel, they have creepy mustaches, and look like the type that might offer candy to children.

“She’s not our usual type. They’re typically younger.” They sound disappointed.

“Do you want me to stay?” Dante asks. My mouth drops, not believing he would leave me alone in here.

“Yeah, stay and observe, maybe you can help a little.”

I try to swallow the saliva building in my mouth. It takes a second time to shove it all the way down my throat. Dante pushes me deeper into the room.

“She’s in good condition. She must have cost a penny.”

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