We reach the tents, and I smooth my hand over the Glock that’s secured on my hip, following closely behind Alex as we maneuver our way around the mingling partygoers. I remind myself that she will be here, Luna will not be out of my reach for long.
Alex slows his pace, nodding to an unoccupied corner of the tent. He grabs a champagne flute off a tray a server is carrying on the way over, turning to face the crowd, sipping on his drink. “I haven’t seen her,” I say, looking at Alex, before turning to face the crowd.
“Security is tight. There’s a guard at every exit and entrance. Stick to the plan, it will work, and she’ll be safe.” Alex takes another sip, his eyes scanning the room. “There’s Johnny.”
I follow his gaze, my heart leaping to my throat when my eyes land on her. Luna’s face is gaunt, and she has a dead look in her eyes. Her lip is busted on one side, and her cheek is tinged pink.
“Knock her around a few times, that’ll get her to listen.” Greg’s words at the blackjack table haunt me.
My body moves before I can stop myself. Alex puts a hand on my shoulder, holding me in place. “Do not engage. She’s here,alive, that’s what matters.”
I swallow hard and step back behind Alex. “Sorry.” I steel myself, but keep my eyes locked on her as they make their way around the room. Johnny laughs, greeting people, as Luna stands behind him, looking beautiful and broken. Johnny turns to her and says something, and Luna smiles a soft smile up at him. Johnny reaches out, tracing his thumb over her bottom lip.
A stab of jealousy cuts through me deep. Does Luna like him? Why is she smiling at him? Stop…I can’t keep doing this. Luna doesn’t belong to me. She doesn’t belong to anyone; she was just trying to survive, until I found her and ruined it.
Luna walks away, Greg following close behind her as she finds a server with the champagne tray.
A man comes up to Alex, and they exchange pleasantries, but I keep my eyes glued to the only thing that matters in this room. Greg is talking to Luna, and she responds as little as possible. A dark shadow looms over her as he speaks, growing by the second. If looks could kill, Greg would be dead the way Luna is looking at him.
Greg turns back to the crowd as a nearby man taps a microphone, calling for order so the auction can begin. I don’t take my eyes off Luna, not for one second, that is, until gunshots ring out, and chaos ensues.
Luna
The boat arrives thirty minutes later at a small island. Greg and Johnny’s brothers get off first, securing the boat to the dock, when Johnny comes up next to me. He picks up the pearl necklace I’m wearing, playing with the larger pearl at its center. “You look beautiful tonight,” He says with a soft smile. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he’s flirting with me. “This necklace you have on is a tracking device. Once activated by the key holder, the necklace locks in place.” He presses down on the pearl, and a red light emits from it. “You can’t take it off, so don’t try. If you try to run, the metal clasp that hangs flush against your neck will give you a healthy shock. If you run too far from the key holder, the charge could be lethal.” Johnny holds up his hand, pointing to his newly adorned ring. That must be the key. “So, please, mingle, drink, try to enjoy yourself, but don’t fly too far, little dove.” The taste of hopelessness burns in my mouth, but I calm myself, not letting him see any of my fear.
Johnny holds his hand out for me, and I take it, stepping up onto the dock. Johnny places his hand on the small of my back and leads us up the pier and through the stone pathway that leads to what looks like a big white pop-up tent. “Party time,” Johnny whispers in my ear as we approach the entrance. He slides his large hand down from the small of my back over my ass, squeezing it as he does. “Maybe I’ll keep you to myself.” His hot breath on my neck makes me want to vomit. He smells of cigar smoke and expensive aftershave, and it’s so overpowering.
We enter the tent, and a boisterous group of men immediately greets Johnny. They are all well-dressed, and each has a woman by their side. My eyes lock with the woman in front of me, a blonde with Hollywood waves in her hair,but there's a dead look in her turquoise eyes. My gaze travels down, landing on the necklace around her neck—pearls.
She’s for sale.
My eyes search the room, and every woman I see wears a string of pearls around their neck, and they’re standing not too far from their Johns. My rage turns into disgust, and the darkness over my heart pulses.
None of these men deserves to live.They are all expendable, and not worth the breath they breathe, so what are you waiting for?
I try to ignore the voice, but it’s growing louder by the second.
Kill them. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill!
Johnny’s fingers catch my chin, pulling my face up to meet his. “Why don’t you go get yourself a drink, little dove? Work the room, make a good sale.”
I force a smile, nodding, and turn to find a server a few feet away. I cross the room, taking a drink off the tray, the server looks me up and down, practically eye fucking me. I move to a vacant spot and find that I’m being followed.
Greg comes up from behind me, his face hollow and emotionless. “You do look beautiful, Elena.”
“Elena is dead. You killed her.” I sip on my champagne, the tingly bubbles dance over my tongue.
“Come on, Elena. I’m sorry, you know how I get.”
You do know. Now, let's see if he wants a taste of it.
The thought settles deep in my mind as my gaze slides to his. Greg steps closer to me, leaning down to speak into my ear. “You don’t have to get on that stage tonight if you come with me.”
A familiar trap of his, grasping at anything to get me back in his claws. Dante may be my stalker, but Greg is the oneobsessed. He won’t let go. I’ll never be free of him.
Unless…
Unless I kill him.
