sour tang of sweat hung heavy in the air, clinging to my skin like a second layer of filth. My knees
ey'd sneered, their mocking laugh
pawn in a cruel game played by those who hold the power. My memories of freedom are fleeting,
," the handler barked
d the velvet drape, I could hear the low hum of voices-men with money and influence, gathered here to bid on lives like
gentlemen, we have something truly special for you tonight. A rare
as I realized he wa
d me, and the roar of the crowd felt like a physical blow. My hands clenched at my
oice oily and insincere. "A virgin, as pure as the
es. The numbers climbed higher and higher, the frenzy feeding on its
, a voice cut through
mill
m fell
ering frame shrouded in shadows. Despite the dim light, I could make out his sharp features-the chiseled jaw, and the piercing blue e
, his smile faltering. "Five mill
er bidder called out
the crowd. I could feel the tensio
didn't even blink.
erupted i
h that much!"
e ins
is eyes were locked on mine, a sile
rought down the gavel. "Sold! To Mr.
mors-whispers of a ruthless king who ruled the Russian mafia with an ir
waiting area. My legs felt like jelly, my mind spinning with questi
r came so
he was, filling the doorway with his presence. The room s
mmanded, his voic
te, scurrying out of the
f fear and fascination. He took a step closer, his moveme
ice soft but laced with steel. "An
ther to feel reli
The room was small, and suffocating, with Dante Stormborn looming in its center. His piercing blue eyes pinned
his deep voice reverbera
rd, unable to
g closer. "Men like me don't make purc
sion. The way he looked at me wasn't like the others at the auction. They had stared at me as th
re," he said, his voice softening ever so slightl
it wasn't. His words were a promise,
managed to whisper,
o a faint smirk. "B
explanation, no deeper reason. H
ended a hand toward me. I flinched, the m
"Don't fear me like that.
d at a life of violence, yet his fingers were steady, as though offering an unspoken pr
t crushing, his warmth s
he said, his tone leavi
, almost meaningless. I did
-
e was guarded by men in suits, their expressions stoic and unyielding. Dante ushered me inside, his
ing glances at him. He sat across from me, his posture relaxed ye
that," he said, his voi
at flooding
he continued, his gaze locking onto mine.
n't d
"Let me make it simple for you. I am a monster. Bu
d over me, leaving me both ter
-
armed men, it was a fortress disguised as a mansion. Marble floors gleamed under the soft g
Dante said as he led me t
ion as we passed. They watched me, their gazes curious but res
ng corridor lined with doors. He stopped in front of
ours," he
it could hold more clothes than I'd ever owned and a balcony that overlooked the sprawling e
u clothes," Dante said. "Fo
ve, but I found
lancing over
from me?" I asked, my vo
osing the door behind him. The cl
that you belong to me now. Your past is irrelevant. Your fears, your doubts-
hless. There was no escape from him, no
. I didn't know what my new life would bring, but one thing was certain-Dante Sto