Free Bought by Tara Crescent Page B

the empty space in the room. We stood there in the light, while the men and women who might purchase us for three months sat in the shadows and leered at us. Then, at a discreet hand motion from Madame Lorraine, Sarit appeared out of nowhere and escorted us back to the antechamber.
    ***
    “What happens now?” I asked Susan.
    “We wait,” she replied. “Another auction, another opportunity to attract Alexander Hamilton foiled.” She sighed dramatically. “Ah well. I noticed he talked to you though.”
    “For barely a second,” I replied. “He talked to Elena longer.” Every muscle in my body stilled as I realized something. Elena, with her curly red hair, could have been mistaken for me from afar. Was that why Marc had gone to talk to her? Was he searching for me?
    His name is Alexander, I reminded myself. Marc doesn’t exist. Life isn’t a fairy tale and Marc isn’t your Prince Charming. He isn’t searching for you. Stay focused on Dylan.
    But my hands worried at the bracelets on my wrists. I needed to talk to Lucien. He didn’t know the details of that night in Paris. We didn’t ever discuss our sex lives or anything else that was personal. But Marc had been in Paris and he was here today. It turned out that the man I’d slept with two years ago was one of Dylan’s most trusted advisors.
    Bile rose in my throat and I fought not to retch. Lucien would have advice for me. He’d remind me of my training. He’d remind me of my urge to kill Dylan. And he’d tell me to stay strong. Stay focused. There was no room for anything else except my revenge. Lucien would warn me of that.
    I fought for composure. I didn’t have many illusions left in my life anymore but that one night had been precious to me.
    ***
    Of course he bought me. Maybe because Sylvia needed a new toy. I’d just about made up my mind to flee, convinced I couldn’t go through with my plan, when Madame Lorraine appeared in front of me to tell me that she was delighted that her good friend Alexander had bid on me. “A million dollars,” she said with a smile. “That should help your sister.” Impulsively, she hugged me. “My dear, I’m so, so glad.”
    Sarit stayed to gossip when Madame Lorraine turned to the next woman. “There was quite the bidding war,” she confided in me. “Anton Nekrasov wanted you as well. In the end though, he conceded to Alexander.” She winked at me. “Do you like threesomes, Jenny? The two of them are quite good friends. Perhaps you can convince Alexander to let Anton visit.”
    I gaped at Sarit. What had happened to the shy Thai girl who could barely say a word to anyone?
    Susan giggled at my expression. “Sarit always gets chatty at the end of the auction,” she said. “Sheer relief that it’s over. Everything went well, and Sarit’s probably looking forward to her reward by Madame Lorraine.” She giggled again. “Judging by what she just said to you, I’m betting money that her fantasies involve a threesome. Maybe that’s what’s in store for her tonight.”
    I laughed lightly though I heard the strain in my voice. I hid away the memories of the way Dylan’s bodyguards had closed around my body before they’d started to hurt me. One man was bad enough.
    “How’d the auction work out for you?” I asked her instead. I was genuinely curious. Susan had been friendly and her kindness had helped soothe my nerves all evening.
    “A Sheikh from Oman won me,” she smiled. There was a look of warmth in her eyes and her cheeks were flushed. “We went to the same boarding school in Switzerland.” She laughed. “This is going to be an interesting three months.”
    I needed to talk to Lucien before Alexander came and whisked me away. My gaze rested on Elena on the other side of the room. Perfect. I could pretend I needed to talk to her. “Susan, will you excuse me? I’m going to pump Elena for information on my new Master.”
    She nodded, her thoughts clearly still on the man who had bid on her.