Page 73 of Outfoxed

I appreciated their care for my tail, however, which got a queenly treatment, brushed until it turned silky, and restored to its proper glory. The black skirt, designed to accommodate tails, helped showcase my skin’s tone, which had improved in the past few days.

Instead of the pantyhose I expected, my legs were waxed, and they stuffed my feet into sandals that toed the line of being appropriate. I appreciated the lack of heels, however. While I healed, even sitting still while they dressed me to their satisfaction tired me.

“Don’t worry about acting anything other than tired. It is part of the buyer briefing, and you will need several more weeks until you’ll be ready for physical therapy to restore the muscle tone you’ve lost. Part of the packet they have for review includes the important parts of your medical file. They’ve been disclosed on everything they’ll need to properly care for you once the auction is completed. This is a silent auction, so they’ll be using touchscreens to input their bids. The first bid to register in the system is the one honored, and the auctioneer does not disclose which bid is the one received. The auctioneer will disclose the current number of tied bids.”

“If there’s a tie, the bidders have to decide if they’re gambling?”

“Correct.”

“I bet that’s a good way for the auction house to make extra money.”

“Well, it’s a good way for the receiving charity to get more money. The auction house is receiving a set amount for your sale. It’s a good way for you to make some extra money, too, since you have a horse in this race as does your provisional buyer,” Dr. Dorothy replied, and she circled me with the same intensity of a hunting shark. “You’re as ready as I can make you, so it’s show time. You may take your sword with you, although it should remain sheathed and on your lap. The buyers are aware that is your property and they will have zero rights to it. It has been written into your contract that it will be a violation of terms if they pressure you to sell or get rid of it. I recommend you treat it as a family heirloom moving forward. The blade has been appraised with a certificate issued. Due to its age, value, and quality, it will not surprise me if there are buyers who are even more interested in your katana than they are in you.”

“They can’t have her.” I glanced where Peace waited in the corner, safely out of the way.

“She’s yours, so no worries. You will be given the official paperwork for her while the buyer is paying your bill. You will also be set up with a bank account for your share of the auction funds with the bank of your choice; the auction house handles this to protect the courtesans. Your buyer and a staff member of the auction house will accompany you to the bank or bring in a banking representative to set up the account. Those funds are yours, and they cannot be taxed as they’re your courtesan fee. Should you be released from your contract, you will owe taxes for the full amount you earned from your sale.”

I lacked the patience or desire to deal with any more complication from being sold to somebody, especially as I couldn’t do anything about it. “I understand.”

“I know you do. Just do your best to tolerate this for a little longer. I have seen the invitation list for your sale, and while there are a few less savory families showing interest, most of them are rather upstanding.”

“Upstanding?”

“They have a good reputation for caring for their courtesans, plus they have wealth, and power. They’re all in the market for a wife for their eldest son, so should you be purchased by one of those families, you have quite the future ahead of you. If you have any grudges, well, you’ll be in a good position to have them dealt with. I do recommend you pick your battles well, and if the grudge isn’t something the rich and influential will readily understand, be subtle.”

It would take a miracle for me to be subtle. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“The auction will take anywhere between twenty minutes to two hours. It depends on how active the bidding gets and how lengthy the question and answer section is if there is one. The buyers will be given a chance to question you. Should they, be honest. You’ll win a great deal more if you say you don’t know something rather than pretend you do.”

“Like a rather expensive job interview.”

“That’s a great way to think about it. In good news, some of those eldest sons don’t even need to use an auction to win a wife.”

“How so? I thought this whole system came to be because they’re awful people who can’t get a wife any other way.”

“They’re a little older, handsome, and often shy. In our terms, a little older is over the age of twenty-five. The rich folks want their sons married early and producing children to continue the family line. Often, they can’t find a wife because they’re too shy with women despite being rich, influential, and handsome. In a few days, when I come to do your check up, we can talk about their assets, and I’ll bring pictures. In some cases, the eldest son is slow and his mother is tired of watching him not get a move on. In several cases in particular, the eldest son wanders off and does what he wants. Don’t get me wrong. While their mothers view them as useless at finding love, they’re accomplished young men who want to make a name and life for themselves. I think there are four families bidding tonight with sons who are inflicted with wanderlust. A vixen is perfect for men like them, as you’ll wander with your new husband without a complaint about it.”

My eyes widened, as I could see the appeal of such a lifestyle. “They just run away from home and stay on the road all the time?”

“And they love it. It’s not all bad, so look for those little silver linings, Jade. They’re there. And in better news for you, the ones I think are worthless? They can’t afford you even though they got an invite to your auction. Those attendees are here as witnesses. The auction house wants them to come back with the money they do have for the auctions they can afford, but if we have space after we’ve invited the serious buyers, we invite those from lower tiers. I think you’ll do well at the auction and end up in a good situation. And if the man isn’t ideal? Whip him into shape, and I’m sure his mother will thank you.”

I stared at the woman and turned my ears back, astonished at her implication I was being purchased to whip the eldest son of some rich family into shape. “Are you aware of how crazy that sounds?”

“Oh, yes. Every damned day, Jade. Every damned day. It’s a common problem. Rich snobs raise rich snobs, and then they discover their child’s upbringing has left something to be desired, so they want some tough jewel of a man or woman to fix the problem, and they’re willing to spend a fortune to fix the problem and make sure someone sensible keeps the family from falling apart.”

I raised my hand and rubbed my temple. “Why would anyone think some vixen who has lived in the Alley for years might be the solution to that problem?”

“You’re a hard worker. The intel we have on you indicates you juggled two jobs and survived in a very hostile environment. You’re stubborn. You’re adaptable. You’re from a decent enough bloodline, and you’ve definitely gotten more than your fair share in the looks department. Whomever wins you will get quite the treasure.” Dr. Dorothy paused before shrugging. “In my opinion. The eldest son might not think so by the time you’re done with him.”

Damn. The bounty hunters had likely been paid bonuses to get information on me, something that shouldn’t have surprised me but did. “What are the odds these mothers want me to actually, well, try to turn her eldest son into something more useful than some rich little prince?”

“Pretty damned high. I’ve reviewed the auction roster, and a lot of the men are in need of a lot of polish. They’re not precisely bad men, but they are not ready to take over as the head of their household. With you around, he’ll have to step up his game or lose it to you altogether. That’s something we’ve learned about vixens. In a family environment, vixens will take over if given a single chance, and you’ve demonstrated you’re smart, you have street sense, and that you’re capable of handling just about anything.”

“Except getting shot,” I muttered.

“I expect that will be a major concern for your buyer, as you’re quite the investment. The bounty for the shooter will likely rival your recovery fee, and in the Alley? That’ll have everyone looking at anyone who has a gun. I suspect the few who do have them are going to be quite cautious about their use.”

“Ammunition is expensive and hard to get, too.”