a's

bling in me. I felt like a trapp

iktor was testing me, waiting to see how I'd break. Dios mío

the men's faces I'd seen were weird and cold. I still

here for days now, what if he bought me

hat stupid skip my heart does anytime he is nea

thoughts. Viktor walked in, his usual

air between us seemed to shift, charged w

, but I forced myself to m

" I spat, my voice

ear that you're not thrilled to be here," he said, his tone equa

y one who had been nice to me. He bought me food

bborn set to my jaw. "Maybe I'm just talking t

ocked on mine. "You're smarter than that, Anya. Nikolai may s

mile. "Are you afrai

omething vulnerable, maybe even uncertain. "You don't know wha

ock me up like this," I shot back, my voice rising. "I'm

a shiver down my spine. He leaned in, his face inch

k down. My heart raced as I stared in

I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing

ed, my voice fierce even though I was sha

against my cheek. The touch was soft, alm

e. It was infuriating. But I couldn't ignore the way my skin ti

ely a whisper. "Be car

ak eye contact. I could feel his breath, warm against

ow his touch lingered on my skin l

on hardening. "Stay out of trouble, An

leased a shaky breath. My heart was

es una tonta, Anya. You're a fool. I couldn't affor

alone, bored to death, I've no phone or mea

as also bought. Who are these people?? In what cul

ething, anything t

room, glancing down the hall to

as well learn more about this place. Maybe

med to twist and turn endlessly. It was as if i

There were locked doors, heavy and dreadful, but there were also op

carefully designed to keep

e of the rooms. Curious, I crept closer, pressing myself aga

I recognized Viktor's v

ne was sharp. I could only hear phras

nother man who looked scared. The tone was unmis

to walk away, but I couldn't

heart stopped. I saw the flash of metal as he pointed i

. A shot rang out, echoing through the room

led back, pressing my hands to m

uldn't breathe. I turned and hurried down the

e bile rose in my throat, and I barely

sink, my knuckles white a

ced together every clue I'd ignored

men, the auction. It wasn't normal. Nothing about him

just bought me and I'm trapped. Jus

tor standing there, looking at

t could burst open. He took some menacing step

I asked, trying to st