3. Addison
3
ADDISON
C ongratulations, you've been selected to attend…
Blood rushing through my ears drowned out all the noises around me.
No way. I actually did it.
It had only been a day and a half since the welcoming party, and I’d gotten the email saying that I’d been accepted to the auction.
My heart dropped into my stomach when I saw that it was happening this Friday. Less than a week to prepare to sell my body to the highest bidder. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios.
What if I get someone awful? What if we have no chemistry? What if ? —
“Addi?” Piper asked, calling me back to the present.
I blinked a few times until she came back into view. Her eyebrows were pushed together, her green eyes showing concern. Her hair was dyed a dark auburn and matched her tanned skin perfectly.
She was the only person from my previous life that kept in touch with me. A friend from high school, and even if it was only for a cup of coffee and a gossip session every other week, I was grateful she was in my life.
“Sorry,” I muttered and took a sip of my coffee that had long since run cold. “You said Kat crashed her father’s car again?”
Piper raised a brow. “His yacht, but that’s beside the point. Are you doing okay?” Her hand grabbed mine. “I know it’s been difficult lately. Do you want me to lend?—”
Money. She was always there to lend me money if I needed it and was always the first to offer. Her family had more than enough to spare. Her dad owned many a steel factory that provided more than enough comfort for them and likely many generations to come.
Not just one company that could easily blow up if someone were to decide they wanted to ruin a life.
Or three.
“No,” I said quickly. “I wouldn’t feel right. You know that.”
She pressed her lips into a thin line. “I know, but if you really need it, I can help.”
I swallowed thickly and looked around. No one was at the tables next to us, but I still dropped my voice into a whisper.
“Can I tell you a secret?”
A smile spread across her face. “You know I love a secret.”
She leaned forward, and I met her halfway to whisper in her ear. As soon as the sinful words left my mouth, she gasped and jerked back.
“Addi, the fucking Black Silk Auction? You know that fucker?—”
I jumped up and covered her mouth.
“I know,” I said harshly. “I know , Piper. Like I said, I have a plan.”
Understanding lit her eyes, and a feral smile spread across her face.
“You’re gonna give him hell, aren’t you?”
I let a smile of my own show.
“If he purchases me, yes, but there’s always a chance?—”
“Oh, you know he’ll take the bait,” she said with a giggle. “I mean, come on, putting your sweet ass in front of him is like throwing raw meat at a starving wolf. He’s gonna eat you alive.”
I sat back in my chair, a new weight on my shoulders that was getting heavier by the second.
“Yeah, I know that too.”
Piper sensed the shift.
“You know what, maybe it’s too dangerous. He’s fucking crazy. Did you hear about the last company he bought? The CEO and treasurer are in jail now. One even tried to kill himself. He’s not someone to mess with. Let me just lend you the money. It’s not too late?—”
“Please.” I raised my hand. “Let me do this. Yes, I need the money, but it’s way more than I’d feel comfortable asking you for. And that’s not the only reason I’m going.”
The same feeling was back in my stomach. Fear. Anxiety. Doubt.
I can do this. I know I can. I need to.
I was stronger than I’d been back then. Before, I didn’t know what pain was. What suffering was. I was afraid to even break a nail.
But I’m not that little girl anymore.
“I get it,” she said and grabbed my hand. Just don’t hesitate to ask me for anything, okay?”
I nodded, and then an idea popped into my head.
“Actually, there is one thing…”