“And you need to buy her to do that?”
Cristian pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled. He understood his brother's concern, but leaving this woman behind was not an option. He would get her out of this place first, then destroy Darby and everyone who worked with him.
“I’ll call you once it’s done.”
Cristian disconnected the call and straightened his tie. He needed to look the part, so he was dressed to the nines. He slipped from the car and stood. This place was a shit hole. It wasa warehouse out in the middle of the jungle. It was well hidden, and out of sight from any prying eyes. Not that the government in Ecuador would care to get involved. They were just as corrupt as the next guy. He moved through the doors, pausing for the guard to scan him. Not having a gun left him feeling naked, but he knew his guys were outside waiting. As long as he played his role correctly, no one would suspect him. He was here under the guise of a different name. Nothing would link him to being a Silva.
The room smelled like sweat and stale cigars. A stage had been set up at the far wall with chairs lining the rest of the space. Cristian opted to stand at the back, where he could watch everyone in front of him. The rage burned in his blood as he watched woman after woman paraded across the stage like a prized bull. Even more disheartening was the number of men bidding. So far, the highest bid had been around one hundred and seventy-five thousand, far less than he was prepared to spend on the reason he was here. Several times he nearly bid. Each woman looked drugged and worn out. It was clear from the bruises on their skin; they had already been sampled. The mere thought of someone touching one twenty-seven made his blood simmer.
Darby cleared his throat. “Gentlemen, I’ve saved the best for last.”
Cristian’s hackles raised. This was it—he had to be bringing her out. She was his prized female and would cost him a pretty penny to get.
“This specimen has never been touched. Her body is flawless, and she is ripe for the picking. Let’s start the opening bid for her at one hundred thousand.”
Cristian watched as she was dragged out onto the stage. Her hand was shielding her eyes from the bright lights, preventing him from seeing her. But he didn’t need to. Darby spun her around, showing off her body for the bidders. Cristian let out a growl when he saw her tattered knees and bare feet. She had been hurt, and it was recently based on the dried blood covering her kneecaps.
“One twenty-five.” A man called out near the front of the room.
Cristian narrowed his eyes, ready to snap the man's neck, but he held his temper in check.
“One seventy-five,” another man yelled.
The two of them went back and forth, upping the price of his girl. He waited, watching her being tossed around like meat on the stage.
“I have two fifty. Two fifty going once.”
“One million,” Cristian barked out, stepping into the light. The two men who had been going to war over her stared at him in disbelief.
“I’m sorry? What did you say?” Darby questioned, unsure if he heard Cristian correctly.
“I said… one million.”
“We have fresh blood, gentlemen. One million is the bid. Do I have anyone higher?” No one spoke. The room was still in disbelief and all eyes were on Cristian. “Alright then. Sold to the bidder with one million.”
Cristian watched as the girl's eyes widened in terror. She scanned the room, looking for the man who bought her. When her eyes met his, an electric charge struck him in the chest. Her blue eyes held him hostage as he stepped closer to the stage.
“Sir, you can collect her as soon as the money clears.”
“I will wait with her.” He followed Darby and the woman towards the back.
“That’s not how this works, Pal. Wait out front.”
“I would think for a man that just paid one million dollars; you would make an exception.”
Darby paused and shook his head. “You’re right. You can wait here.” He showed Cristian into a backroom and shoved the girl inside with him. “This door will be locked. You understand why?”
“Of course. I am not playing around. Your people have my holding account information. Please start the transfer post haste. The sooner I can leave with my purchase, the happier I will be.”
Darby nodded and closed them inside. The sound of metal scraping against metal confirmed the latch had been locked. He turned in time to see the woman hobbling toward a single cot against the wall. If Cristian didn’t know any better, this warehouse had doubled as a prison at some point.
“Here.” He reached out and grabbed her hand. “Let me help you.” Cristian eased her onto the lumpy mattress. “What’s your name?”
“Does it matter?”
He looked up at her and held her gaze. The amount of pain he saw in her eyes kicked him hard in the gut. “It does to me.”
Everly sucked in a breath. No one had asked her what her actual name was the entire time she had been here. To the men who had taken her, she was just a number. Even after she was given to Darby, he had never referred to her by her given name.
