Page 43 of Link (Dragon Riders MC 1)
Please, Link. Find me.
Footsteps sounded outside and I rushed over to one of the chairs. I sat down and wrapped my arms around my chest, crossing my feet at my ankles. I closed my eyes and sent up a silent prayer. One that I hoped reached the ears of a God that might have mercy upon me.
Then, the door opened.
“Up,” the man commanded.
The massive brute that forced me to get dressed at gunpoint had that same gun leveled at my forehead. And I didn’t want to take any chances. He looked like he’d shoot me if I sneezed in the wrong direction, so I quickly stood to my feet.
To which he grinned. “Good little bitch. Follow me.”
I winced at the word, but I did as he asked. As embarrassed as I felt walking behind him in the outfit I wore, I was more afraid of being killed on sight. I wasn’t ready to die. And I sure as hell didn’t want to go out like this. The bright lights of the hallway forced me to shield my eyes as I walked behind the towering inferno of muscle in front of me. But nothing compared to my shock when he led me into what looked like a former ballroom.
With a stage they expected me to get on.
“What the—”
The man waved his gun. “Up there. Now.”
I must’ve not moved quickly enough, though. Because the next thing I felt was the cold barrel of that gun pressed against my cheek.
“I won’t kill you, doll. I’ll just make you hurt. Get. Up. On that fucking stage. Now.”
Each step I took hurt. My muscles locked up, trying to stop my body from pushing forward. I forced myself to pick up my feet. To keep breathing, even though tears effortlessly streaked my cheeks. All eyes were on me as cameras pointed my way with flashing red lights and sparkling lenses capturing my every movement.
“Drop your arms,” the man said.
Reluctantly, I did as he asked. And as my puckered nipples revealed themselves through the outfit to the entire world, I heard a man chuckle.
“Too bad I can’t have her,” someone murmured.
“Now, stay there,” the man with the gun said.
I closed my eyes, but they demanded I keep them open. I shuffled on my feet, but they commanded I keep myself still. When they asked me to turn, I did. When they asked me to bend over, I did. When they asked me to speak, I was hesitant. But eventually, I did as I was told.
Mostly, because the man shot at my feet. Causing me to jump and yelp before finally caving in.
A disembodied voice filled the room. “We’ll start the bidding at $1.1 million. Any takers?”
My heart rate sped up as the auctioneer tossed out numbers I could never dream of in my wildest imaginations. And as my eyes flickered between the cameras staring at me, my fury grew. These men had some fucking balls. They all deserved to die in my book. Was this what happened to Hope every night? They put her in some rinky dink costume and sold her off for a night to the person with the most money? It made me sick. It made me want to pick up one of their guns and shoot my way out of this place.
In that moment, I understood my clients more than ever.
In that moment, I understood why people became criminals.
I’d kill every single one of you and not bat an eyelash.
“One and a half million. Do I hear one and a half? One and a half to Slavic. Do I hear one point—yes! One-point-seven million to Girdersha—nope. Two million! Two million to Slavic!”
I clenched my fists at my sides as the man with the gun motioned for me to turn around again. I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath, forcing myself to move. My entire body felt sore from locking up. My joints ached and my muscles cried out for mercy. I was hungry. I was tired. I was so damn thirsty, too. What time was it? Was it daytime? Nighttime?
Has Hope called anyone?
“Two and a half million to Slavic. Oh, man! We’ve got a bidding war here, you guys! Slavic versus Girdershade. Any bets on who will win the Goddess of Cock?”
I blinked as I turned back around. Really? Seriously? The Goddess of Cock? They couldn't come up with something better than that?
Goddess of Girth. Savior of Sucking. Lady Lingerie. I can come up with better shit than that, and I’m a lawyer!
A gun cocked. “The man said speak, bitch.”
I licked my lips and stared straight into the camera.
“I hope you all die horrible, terrible deaths. And when I get out of here, I’m coming for every single one of you. I can promise you that.”
The room fell silent, including the auctioneer. And as I closed my eyes, I braced myself for death. Because surely my words warranted a reaction such as that. I girded my loins. I drew in a deep breath. I thought about my sister and Link. About my practice, and my business. A future I’d never have flashed before my eyes. Waking up next to Link. Telling him how much he means to me. I saw myself in a beautiful champagne-colored wedding dress with pearls around my neck. I saw my stomach growing with life. Images of delivery flashed behind my eyelids. And when I gazed up into the eyes of my child’s father, I saw Link smiling down at me.
