Page 63 of Risking it All

“Just because you’ve been ruined doesn’t mean you won’t be a good companion for someone. You’ll enter the auction.”

“Auction! What the fuck?”

“You know the rules, Zenia. Just because you don’t agree with them doesn’t mean that they will change overnight. You’ve cost this family a shit ton of money with your shenanigans.”

“I didn’t cost the family shit. You tried to pawn me off like a piece of cheap jewelry. Did you ever expect me to go for that eagerly?”

“Not only have you defied my orders, but you have poisoned your sister’s mind as well. Luckily, we found her before she made the same mistakes you made.”

Zara.

“Where is she?” I asked, almost holding my breath as I waited for his response.

“She’s just fine, no thanks to you. I know damn well you knew exactly where she was. I half expected to find you two somewhere holed up together.”

“You can’t expect us to lay down and let you use us as bargaining chips for your business. That’s insane.”

“There was a time when you knew how important you were to this business. Back then, you were more than willing to do just that and anything else I asked of you. I don’t know what the hell has gotten into you, but I hope and pray that whatever man you end up with is able to get it out of you.”

“By any means necessary, right?”

“Mind your fucking tone, Zenia. The only reason that I didn’t have my men beat you within an inch of your life for your insubordination was because we need you in top condition for tomorrow night’s auction.”

“Tomorrow night? Why so soon? I just got back.”

“You think I’m crazy enough to give you another chance to make a fool of me? You don’t understand what you’ve cost me. Until I can recover the money I’ve lost, from not one but two failed marriages for you, you will do whatever the hell I ask of you. Do I make myself clear?”

“Crystal.”

“You’ll take your meals in your bedroom until further notice.”

“You do know I’m a full-grown adult, don’t you?”

“Well act like it for a change! Your number one duty in life has been to serve this family. Whether you like it or not, you are still very much a part of this family.”

“Fuck you! You’re a psychopath. Once I leave here, I don’t care if I never have to see you again.”

“Where did I go wrong with you, Zenia? I’ve given you everything that life could afford you, and you still find every way that you possibly can to humiliate me.”

“So why not just let me go?” I quizzed.

“Good try. You’ve already proven that you have to be treated like a prisoner. Tomorrow, you will fulfill your obligation, and that’s that.”

He left the room before I could fire off another response. I rushed to the door and tore it open, only to find Gene, one of his security goons, standing right across the hall, shaking his head somberly.

“Fuck you too!” I spat before slamming my door.

I shook my head as I walked back over and threw myself on my bed. I’d spent so much time worrying about how to be pleasing to the family that now every decision I made for myself put me closer to my own demise. Maybe I should have kept running. There was nothing to guarantee that the twins and Zara wouldn’t have to suffer the consequences of me leaving just because I was back.

I had to get to them one way or another. The twins probably hated me for dragging them down with me. For all I knew, they were somewhere locked away, just like me. On the other hand, I never blamed Zara for me having to go back into the marriage pool in her place.

For one thing, I was always on the chopping block. My little sisters were never supposed to be victims of this system. If anything, part of me resented them for not having to take part in the madness. It wasn’t their fault, though. It wasn’t mine either.

I might not have been responsible for my so-called obligation, but I was responsible for my fate. Being with Sawyer showed me what my life could be like outside of this family, and it was beautiful. It wasn’t on him to save me from my father and men like him. I didn’t want him risking his life only for me to end up right back in their hands or worse. The most important thing to me was Sawyer’s and my sisters’ safety. I would worry about myself later.

I stood in the mirror making sure I was presentable before the fated auction. Actually, I was stunning in a snow white, bodycon dress. The color choice made me wonder if my dad had lied about the potential participants knowing about what he called my ruining.

For what it was worth, I looked good. My hair was pinned into an updo, and thanks to the team that came in to help me get ready, my makeup was flawless, and there wasn’t a hair out of place.