Chapter 7
Reese
Two million dollars. What?
I carefully glanced at the handsome masked man placing the bid, a strange shimmer of sensations coursing through me.
He tipped his head, catching my gaze. Almost instantly, a rush of heat slipped deep into my core. I could swear he was looking right through me, capturing a taste of my soul. Whoa.
With his chiseled jaw clenched as was one of his hands, I sensed he was furious at the way the bidding process had gone. There was a swell of darkness in his aura that had captured and held my attention.
Whoever he was, he wasn’t like the others.
“Sold!”
The single word created an intense fog swirling around me, an ache deep in my joints that threatened to drive me to my knees. And a pool of bile in my throat that instantly became suffocating.
There was no recourse, no chance of escape. I’d been purchased by a stranger. I was now a slave to some vicious monster determined to make me serve him, surrendering to his sadistic needs.
I’d failed in my duty to free my sister, underestimating a sick, twisted game that I’d had no chance of winning.
All the fight I’d had in me, the push and drive that had brought me to this godforsaken city in the first place was gone. My mind was in a vacuum and I could no longer feel my legs, only vaguely aware I was being discussed like cattle.
When I finally found enough strength to lift my head once again, the man staring back at me was the only one I’d found some strange sense of comfort from.
It was difficult to rationalize or even explain to myself, but the tall, muscular stranger behind the black mask was definitely different from the others.
He was captivating in every sense of the word.
I’d felt his eyes on me from the moment he’d noticed me walking across the stage.
After that, his gaze had never left, a heated reminder of what the event was about.
The selling of sex. Yet in his eyes I noticed a deeper need, a dark hunger than exploded from a twisted sense of connection we’d both felt.
There was no denying the crush of electricity. My dry throat was a testament to the attraction we both felt.
Which was positively crazy. He was nothing but a rich john needing his fix. I had no intention of becoming his play toy.
My mind was spinning as he carved out a sense of longing while studying me. Where the others had acted like I’d been beef, grading me on a perverse scale, there was something much darker about the wild look in his eyes and the tight clench of his jaw.
Not just in his attire, which was a testament to his wealth, but in his mannerisms. Where the others were like sea slugs or wolves eager for any crumbs dropped along the path, he was reserved in a way that highlighted his savagery.
As well as his power. The mystery man wasn’t like the others in any way.
And there was no doubt every single member of the horrible club was a monster in disguise.
There was no other explanation for the club and its entitled membership.
The vacuum remained, his expression holding a slight hint of amusement. Did he find any of this funny or was he commiserating with my need to fight the system? Even in the shimmer of light, I was clearly able to see just how intense the swirls of gold were in his sapphire eyes.
I couldn’t pinpoint the difference, but even the way he was looking at me wasn’t laced with the vile hunger of the others. But a sense of need, as if longing to help me. Maybe I was crazy or grasping at straws, but it was almost as if I could trust him.
No, I was just fighting my way out of hell and praying for any lifeline.
“Your bid is quite significant,” the man they called Lucifer told the masked stranger who’d purchased me. “You’re certain about the amount.”
As soon as the stranger laughed, my pussy throbbed. The sound of his voice was deliciously dark. And annoyed.
“Lesser men have second guessed me, Lucifer, and didn’t like my response.”
“Very well,” Lucifer quipped in return. “I do hope she’ll be worth your while and your trouble.”
“I have no doubt she will be.” He shifted his gaze toward me once again, his nostrils flaring. The action, while simplistic and not particularly repulsive, still increased the size of the knot in my stomach.
“I did want to draw to your attention the rules of the club since Star disobeyed them. As the winning bidder, you will be allowed to discipline her.”
What?
“All in due time. She will learn about my rules.”
“Yes, I’m certain. However, there are also rules of the house. Her first round of discipline will be handled prior to the paperwork of ownership presented to you,” Lucifer told him.
Paperwork of ownership?
“The girls are told this up front. Any infraction such as attempting to escape will result in harsh punishment. As her owner, you have the honor of providing her with what could be the first of many lessons.”
I’d drifted all the way into the Twilight Zone. There was no other explanation for this horror that was unfolding.
“You’re out of your mind.” The words slipped from my mouth before I could stop them.
“Enough!” Lucifer barked. “Or I will discipline you myself. I apologize, but apparently, not enough time was spent with her prior to deeming her ready for the circuit. If you’d like to reconsider your bid, I would completely understand. I’ll be happy to have her trained.”
“Nonsense,” my purchaser said, laughing in a dark, husky voice that should repulse me instead of creating a series of tingles dancing down my arms and the backs of my legs.
His voice was seductive, alluring in a way reserved for late night DJs and actions stars when forced to handle a sex scene.
“Nothing a spanking can’t cure. I will be happy to handle that myself, Lucifer. ”
What? A spanking?
I took a step away, immediately running into something hard and huge.
“Excellent. My thoughts exactly,” Lucifer said, holding out his hand as if the man had just purchased an expensive sports car. “I believe I’ve determined the right name for you when enjoying time inside the club. The Hunter. Yes, that suits you.”
This wasn’t the Twilight Zone, but something more ominous.
“Please, avail yourself to our varied selection of disciplinary implements. I’m certain you can find something that will appease your sadistic needs.”
“I’m certain I will. Now, as far as fulfilling the requirements of this contract, where will this be occurring?”
What was he talking about? Yes, Steven had mentioned that our purchasers might be tasting the merchandise, but I hadn’t fully understood what he’d been getting at. Either that or I’d believed somehow, I would manage to get out of the trap.
Something snapped inside of me and I tried to run toward the door once again, even though I knew it was useless.
I was captured with ease, Hunter’s arm wrapped around my waist. He even lifted me off my feet as he held me against his chest. The scent of sandalwood and citrus, exotic spices and a touch of the deep woods on a spring day filtered into my senses.
Almost immediately, my heart fluttered. Knowing I was attracted to him in any way disgusted me.
Fisting my hair, he swung me around to face him, immediately giving me a stern look. When I struggled again, he pressed his face into my neck, whispering into my ear. It wasn’t anything that I’d expected.
“Just do what I say and stop fighting me. I’m going to get you out of here, Reese.”
Reese. He knew my name. Instantly paralyzed, I clawed his shirt, shuddering in his hold.
“You will have your hands full, Hunter. I’ll show you to the viewing room. Take all the time you need. Remember, you will be watched.”
Watched.
This was a test.
Who the hell was this man and what did he mean by getting me out of here?
Hunter kept a firm hold on my arm and when I tried one more time to fight him, he dug his fingers into my skin. A deep vibe swept through me, a sense of realizing that he might be my only way out.
Still terrified, I was lightheaded as I was led from the room, cognizant that not only were we being followed by several of the same masked thugs who’d watched every movement the women had made, but that Lucifer was watching us intently.
The reality had yet to completely settle in even as we entered another room, one I’d yet to see.
Immediately, I was thrown by the appearance.
There were various BDSM apparatuses. A St. Andrew’s cross, some sort of bench.
Oh, my God. A spanking bench. I’d seen enough pictures on the internet to know what I was seeing. Even a stockade.
There were tables, a plush chair, and a bed with a red velvet headboard. Were they producing porn flicks as well as every other atrocity?
And there were two huge cabinets. Lucifer went to one, throwing open the doors.
“As you can see, we have a fine collection of whips, floggers, canes, and paddles. The other cabinet holds restraints and gags should you feel you need them. Although if you’re anything like me, you enjoy the sounds made from providing intense pain. ”
Very slowly Hunter slipped his fingers around my neck, holding me against him. Allowing me to know he was in full control. Or to warn Lucifer to stay the hell away.
“I’m certain I can find something to suit my needs. Now, if you’ll leave us alone.” His voice was demanding, dangerous.
And another trickle of something like arousal shifted through me.
“Yes, of course.” Lucifer turned, studying Hunter for several seconds. He barely bothered to glance in my direction, but I sensed he was searching for something.
After the door was closed, I realized I was holding my breath.
I managed to pull away only to be dragged back again, facing him as I’d been required before.
That’s when I could see the mirror on the other wall.
The monsters would be enjoying a show, tossing back drinks and stroking their weenie-sized cocks.