“Now we have number eight, Ms. Birdene Black.”
I freeze, staring at the auctioneer, confused, and then I shift my gaze to the stage with a beam of light shining upon it.
The woman with the clipboard in her hand pushes me, and I stumble forward, turning my neck to take one last glance at her.
Cheers fill the room, mixed with growls of approval.
“Ms. Birdene Black is twenty years old. She likes to read and listen to music. This is her first auction and I do believe she a virgin, which makes her a worthy prize if you win her. Do I hear a hundred thousand?” The auctioneer announces into the microphone as he slowly circles me like a predator getting ready to pounce on its prey.
My chest rises and falls with every shallow breath I take.
This is insane.
I don't know how I ended up here on stage getting auctioned off like a prized possession.
Bids start filling the air. Reaching over a million dollars.
My jaw drops, stunned that men are willing to throw thousands of dollars away for pussy.
Dropping my gaze, I wrap my arms around my waist the instant I realise the dress I’m wearing is transparent, leaving little to their imagination.
A plague of goosebumps spreads across my flesh, and I suddenly begin to feel sick.
“Thirty million dollars,” a low, masculine voice calls out.
The voice sounds familiar, and something stirs deep within my core. The room suddenly falls silent. The testosterone tension rising in the room is being suffocated by the gentle murmurs of men whispering in their seats.
“Do I hear forty?”
“Forty.”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
“Fifty.” The familiar voice resonates through the room.
What would I say anyway?
"Sixty!"
The sound of a chair toppling over disperses through the air and the spotlight that was beaming down on me moves across the room.
My gaze follows the light as it lands on the back of a tall male with broad shoulders, dressed in an expensive suit.
His luscious jet-black hair is kissed by the subtle touch of grey strands, like a sprinkle of pepper on a fine dish.
In slow motion, I watch as this man reaches behind his back and pulls out a gun, his thumb flicks the safety off as he swings the weapon to the front of him.
Pressing it against another man's head.
I gasp, covering my mouth with my hands as I take two steps back.
“I dare you to say eighty.” The man with the gun snarls in a murderous tone.
“N…No… you can have her. I’ll bid on the next girl.”
“Are you sure? Because I’d hate to snag such a gem from your hands?”
“Ye…Yes. I’m certain. I heard the next girl is of brown skin with mesmerizing purple eyes, anyway.”
"Hmm."
"Please, Mr. Ripley. I.. I had no idea that you were bidding on her. I revoke my previous bid." The man states as he trembles in his overpriced shoes.
"Louder!" The man with the gun orders.
"I, Lawrence Milford, withdraw my previous bid. Mr. Ripley can have number eight at fifty million."
The gun falls from his head as the other man exhales loudly, causing his shoulders to sag. “Wise choice, Lawrence.”
“SOLD at fifty million dollars to Mr. Ace Ripley.” The auctioneer announces in a shaky tone.
My brows furrow.
Ace Ripley.
Why does that name sound familiar?
Licking my lips, I watch as the man with the gun tucks his weapon back into his holster.
Slowly, he turns around to face me as he toys with the cuff links on his suit jacket, before combing his fingers through his hair as he raises his head to meet my gaze.
I suck in a razor-sharp breath as his mesmerizing green orbs collide with my brown irises.
“No…” I whisper, shaking my head frantically as I slowly walk backwards. “Not you...”
“Hello, Little Bird.” He says with a devious smirk curling on the corner of his mouth. “Are you ready to go home?”
---
A FEW HOURs EARLIER.
SLAP…
The excruciating pain of my mother's hand striking me across the face sears my cheek like a bad memory that won’t go away.
“You will not speak to your father in such a manner, young lady!” Olivia Black shrieks at me. “As long as you bear our name, you will do as you are told.”
I turn my head to look my mother in the eyes with tears brimming in mine. “I won’t marry him. You cannot force me to marry a man whom I call uncle!”
“What’s the big deal? You know you are adopted.” My father, Jaxson points out.
“How could I forget? You make sure to remind me at least once a week. You act as if I begged you to take me under your wing. I didn’t.” I hiss as my heart slowly begins to break.
It's also pretty evident that I am adopted. Both my parents have jet-black hair, blue eyes and olive skin. I'm as pale as they come with brown eyes and brown hair.
A splatter of freckles also paints my face.
“Your uncle Flynn wishes to take care of you. He wants you to birth him an heir and-”
“I said no, and you cannot force me. I will marry who I want. Not who I am being forced to.”
“Oh, you ungrateful little bitch!” My mother yells at the top of her lungs, her eyes almost popping out of their sockets in disbelief.
My father rises from behind his desk with his hands curling at his sides. “You will marry your uncle Flynn and that's the end of it!” He bellows furiously, challenging me to defy him.
Lucky for him. Today is his lucky day.
“I said no. I won't consent to it and he will have to rape me to get me pregnant.”
“Oh, that can be arranged. Don't you worry your pretty little head, Birdene. If I have to tie you up, so be it.”
“You would do that to me?” I whisper, already knowing the answer. “Ofcourse you would. You'd have to possess a heart to truly give a shit about me.”
I spin away from my parents, unable to be in the same room with them any longer and run as fast as my feet will carry me out of the villa.
My feet pound against the pavement, pain shoots up my calves as I dig deep, moving my legs faster.
“Ms. Birdene…” Ross calls out behind me; hot on my heels. “Stop, you need to return to the villa.”
I can sense him closing the distance between us, and I step out onto the road, flagging down the first taxi that drives past.
Yanking the door wide open, I get inside, close the door and lock it.
“Drive…” I yell at the driver as he glares at me over his shoulder.
“Ms. Birdene, you know you cannot leave,” Ross growls as he desperately tries to open the door.
“Please… just drive. He’s a crazy ex that won’t leave me alone, see.” I point to the handprint on my cheek.
The driver's brows pinch together, and he plants his foot down on the accelerator. The vehicle lurches forward, leaving a pissed-off Ross behind.
I turn around, looking out the back window, and I watch as the black SUV pulls up next to Ross. He barely has both feet in the vehicle before it speeds off, tailing us.
The driver looks in the rearview mirror. “You have money on you, right?”
Digging into my denim pockets, I pull out a twenty, lean forward, and I hand it to him. “This is all I have. But if you can lose the SUV behind us, I promise to pay you generously.”
The driver laughs, shaking his head, “if I had a dollar every time someone used that line on me, I’d own my own business and a fleet of mansions by now.” He mumbles with his fingers tightening around the steering wheel.
“I swear I will. Please… I’ve never asked for help from anyone before, but I cannot return home and marry my uncle.”
“Your uncle?”
“Yes. Flynn Black.” I shudder at the sound of his name.
The vehicle comes to a screeching halt and I have to hold on to the back of his seat to prevent myself from kissing it.
“Out!”
“What?”
“Out! Mr. Flynn Black is a man I wish not to associate myself with.”
“Please…” My voice trembles. “Don’t do this?” I beg.
He raises his gaze to look in the rearview mirror once again. “I’d hurry if I were you.”
I turn to look out the window and watch as the SUV slows down behind us.
“Fuuucck…” I jump out of the taxi, sprint across the road, and approach the first building I see with people lining up outside to enter.
“Are you here for the auction?” One doorman asks.
“Ms. Birdene.” Ross’s voice burns my ear canals.
“Auc-auction… Yes. I’m here for the auction.”
“You are late.” He hisses with a sigh and turns sideways in the doorway, pointing to the staircase. “Take the stairs and turn right when you reach the top. Someone will greet you.”
“Birdene!”
Turning my head, I watch Ross pushing people to the side as he desperately tries to reach me.
Nodding my head, “top of the stairs and turn right.” I repeated to the doorman.
“Correct.” He mumbles.
I push past him, running up the stairs, hoping to lose myself in a crowd of people until I can find a safe exit door to slip out of.
Someone grabs me by the arm and leads me off the stage. Stunned into silence with my gaze penetrating Ace Ripleys’, I subconsciously allow them. “Birdene, I need you to pay attention.” Fingers snapping in front of my face pull me out of the bubble I created around me. Shaking my head; ridding the fog that clouds my mind. I look at the lady with the clipboard in her hand. “I’m sorry, you were saying?” I ask her after clearing my throat. She sighs with a slight roll of her eyes. I assume she’s the type of woman that doesn’t like to repeat herself. “I said… you are very lucky to have Mr Ripley. He is a generous man, and I believe you are the third girl he has placed a bid on since he joined us back in 2015.” I release a shuddering breath, raise my hand, and wrap my fingers around my throat. “I’m sorry. But there’s been a huge misunderstanding. When I was asked by the doorman if I was here for the auction, I thought he meant-” Her brows pinch together as her phone dings, and she sw
ACE. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me as she stumbled onto the stage. Birdene Black. I’d know those brown eyes anywhere. Even ten years later, now that she has grown into a beautiful woman. Her eyes remind me of a woman I fell in love with in college. A woman who happened to choose my best friend over me. Andrea Simpson. Just thinking about her name feels like I’m committing the biggest sin of all. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever consider finding the daughter of the man I hate with a passion, being auctioned off. The murderous emotions that overtook every fibre in my body as other men bid for her drove me wild. Fuck… I was about to put a pretty silver bullet between Lawrences’ eyes if he dared to outbid me for her. She is mine. Even if it is for a month. She is mine, and I will return her to her parents once I’ve had my fill of her. Once I’ve ruined her for other men. After I've tattooed my name on her precious little heart. Ace Ripley. She will sc
Embarrassment and desire twine through me as my gaze darts from his piercing green eyes to his hand. I’m lost for words, and I can’t believe I’ve just agreed to give him my purity, let alone warm his bed for the entire month I am promised to him—under contract.But I guess my virginity is a small price to pay if he can help me escape my parents and uncle Flynn. Part of me feels like a sinner just thinking about Ace fucking me. The enemy of my father and a surge of arousal slams into me.Ace wags his finger, “straddle my thigh. Right here.”Gingerly placing one foot in front of the other, I approach him with my chest rising and falling with every shallow breath I take. “I’m going to stop you right there, Little Bird.” He growls with one corner of his mouth curling and instantly, I stop in my tracks with a frown on my face. “I know you are innocent. But I believe you aren’t completely sheltered to the point that you do not know that you need to remove your pants and underwear.”Swal
After I signed the contract and made no amendments to it. I quickly pull on my clothes, feeling Aces’ gaze watching me.After he returns the contract to the envelope it came out of. He walks around his large desk to stand in front of me.“From this moment forward, you realise that your body is mine, Little Bird.”Lifting my gaze to meet his, “yes. I read the contract before I signed my soul over to the devil himself, Ace.” I answer him upon exhaling through my nostrils. “I still don’t understand why you made me sign it naked.”A lopsided smirk stretches across his face. “Am I the first man who has seen you bare?”“Yes.”“There’s your answer, then, Little Bird. The thought of me being the only man to ever see you bare makes breathing worthwhile. Especially knowing that your uncle Flynn has been keeping you hidden from the real world to keep you pure for his touch only.”A violent shudder corrupts my body. “Please… don’t speak like that. It makes me feel sick to think that all this tim
ACE.My eyes snap open as I jolt awake. An icy shiver takes over my soul.Brushing a hand over my face, I try to shake the exhaustion that clings to me. Releasing a long sigh, I cast my gaze downward to find Birdenes’ arm slung across my bare chest with her leg over my hip. Half of her body is over mine, and she is using me as her human pillow.If she were one of my other girls, I would have rolled her over and turned my back to face her. I’m not the type of man who likes to hug. There are no roses and chocolates with a happy ending in sight with these auction deals.You bid on a number that just so happens to tickle your fantasies. You fuck her, feed her, house her, and give her some spending money to help pass the time.But with Birdene, there is no urgency to push her off me. If I’m to be brutally honest. I feel the complete opposite. I want nothing more than to crush her small frame against my large body.A few stray strands of her hair tickle my nose, filling my senses with he
I stir when the sound of the curtains being drawn back releases me from the clutches of my deep slumber. The warmth from the early morning sun rays caresses the side of my face, and I roll over, groaning. “Just one more minute, please, Lucy…” “Mr. Ripley asks that you swallow the small white pill next to the large glass of water I have left beside your bed.” I jolt upright in the bed, dragging the sheet with me. My eyes dart around the room until they finally land on Alanas’. “Shit…” I exhale, brushing a hand over my weary face. “I forgot Ace now owns me for a month.” A soft smile graces Alanas' tiresome face. “If I may offer you one piece of advice, Ms. Black?” She says in a hesitant tone as she dips her head, knowing that she is about to speak out of context. Swallowing thickly, I stare at her. “Please. I need all the advice I can get.” I reply honestly. Lifting her chin, she steps forward and picks up the small pill that sits on a round saucer and the large glass of water.
As I reach Aces’ closed office door, I lift my hand and hold it in the air. I suck in three large breaths, and every time I releas them, I tell myself to knock. But it’s like my body is paralysed, and I cannot bring myself to take the leap and just… knock. Lowering my hand, I turn around and shake my head. I’m not ready to walk back in there after what happened between us last night. Deep down, I know if he demands me to do it again, I will. Not only because I’ve signed my body over to him for a month. But the sizzling thought of his fingers being rooted deep inside me as I fuck them with his gaze hot and heavy on mine, makes me weak at the knees. I’m almost twenty-one and Aces fingers are the only action I’ve ever had apart from my own fingers. I flinch when the office door opens, “running away from me already, Little Bird?” A hot shiver glides up my spine as his voice pierces my eardrums, which leaves them pulsing. I look over my shoulder, not meeting his gaze, and brea
ACE.The moment Birdene closes the door behind her, I grit my teeth to suppress the roar that is lodged in my throat.How dare she insinuate that I've borderline committed rape. If she had read the fucking contract, she would have known better than to hurl those fucking disgusting words at me.Rape.Do I look like a man who needs to take her virtue by force when I can walk into any club I want and have women falling at my feet? In groups.I swear… if her lips become looser, I will deliver her to Flynns’ front doorstep with a fucking pretty bow attached around her neck. As much as she intrigues me, she isn’t worth tarnishing my reputation over.Then there’s Alana.After all these years, she still has the backbone to go behind my back trading information for money with Flynn Black. After everything I have done for her, granted, she doesn’t know. But I have never given her a reason to believe that I am behind her husband's gutless actions.I’m not the bastard who put the gun in his han