Page 37 of The Auction
JAXON: You alive, Cricket? Tell your mom I said hi.
The message sits there, unread.
Damn it.
If something’s going on with Mrs. Hayes, Jonathan will never forgive me for not being there.
I toss a few bills on the bar—enough to cover the food, the drinks, and a solid bribe—and give the bartender a nod. I’m already moving toward the exit when the auctioneer’s voice cuts through the air with new energy.
“Ladies and gentlemen, our final lot of the evening. A last-minute addition, submitted just this morning.”
I slow just slightly, curiosity tugging at me.
“An exclusive offering—something never before sold at The Black Ledger’s auction.”
He’s milking the moment.
“A once-in-a-lifetime experience from a Companion offering something... truly special.”
I keep walking. Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard this kind of pitch before. Probably someone offering a public scene or a week of full submission—some kink-laced fantasy for seven figures.
But then the words hit:
“Her virginity.”
I stop cold.
That’s... bold. Even for this place. A virgin auctioned off in front of a sea of wealthy men with God complexes? That’s a hell of a risk.
The auctioneer continues, voice all velvet and heat.
“She’s twenty-three years old, smart, stunning. This is a limited, one-time-only experience. No repeat bookings. No extensions. A singular, unforgettable event.”
I’m halfway to the door when he says her name.
“Please welcome to the block... Cassidy Hayes.”
The blood drains from my face.
I turn, slow as death, and look toward the stage.
No.
No fucking way.
To say I’m nervous doesn’t quite cover it. My heart hasn’t stopped racing all day, and I’ve run through this plan so many times it hardly feels real anymore.
I’ve almost backed out more times than I can count but still—I’m here—about to sell my virginity off to the highest bidder.
Last night, right after Jaxon dropped me off, I went straight to Jonathan’s room. He’s in the UK for the next month, and I didn’t bother being careful. If Jaxon knew about The Black Ledger, there was a good chance Jonathan did too.
It didn’t take long to find his tablet tucked in the nightstand and I’ve known his password for years so I went right in.
At first, I told myself I was looking for answers— about the mortgage, about everything. But I kept focus on the auction and finally, I found something. A booking confirmation from a few weeks ago.
I remembered the date—some fancy black-tie event following a golf tournament. Jonathan said it was for networking. It wasn’t. It was an escort bought through The Black Ledger.
The realization hit slow and sharp. If Jonathan had used it… Jaxon probably had too. That thought stayed with me longer than I wanted to admit.
