I wanted to stand up. To stop this. To call the authorities. But Matteo's earlier warning echoed: Don't react. Don't interfere. Just observe.
Sandro's hand found mine. Squeezed gently. Reminding me to stay calm.
"And now," the auctioneer said, "we come to tonight's most exclusive offerings. What we call 'companionship opportunities.'"
The lights dimmed further. Music played. Something classical and entirely inappropriate for what was about to happen.
Five people were led onto the stage. Three young men. Two young women. All in their early twenties. All beautiful in different ways. All wearing evening wear that looked expensive but felt degrading in this context.
They stood in a line. Faced the audience. I could see fear in their eyes despite the neutral expressions they tried to maintain.
"These individuals," the auctioneer continued, "are available for exclusive companionship. A weekend of your choosing. All arrangements are legal and consensual. All participants are adults who've agreed to these terms."
Legal. Consensual. The words felt like lies even as he said them.
"Let's begin with our first offering. Jennifer. Twenty-two. Recent college graduate. Speaks three languages. Enjoys literature and classical music."
Jennifer stepped forward. Smiled. It didn't reach her eyes.
The bidding started. I watched wealthy men and women treat a human being like merchandise. She went for $75,000 to a businessman I recognized from the society pages.
Then the second woman. The first young man. Each one paraded and sold. Each one trying to maintain dignity while being auctioned like art or jewelry or stolen information.
I felt sick. This was human trafficking dressed up in legal language. "Consensual arrangements" that were probably anything but.
Then the auctioneer gestured to the final young man. "And our last offering tonight. Stefan. Twenty-three. From a distinguished family. Educated. Charming. And I'm told quite... spirited."
Stefan stepped forward.
He was smaller than the others. Maybe five-ten. Lean build. Dark hair that looked like it wanted to curl if he let it growlonger. But it was his eyes that caught attention. Green. Bright. Full of defiance despite standing on a stage being sold.
"Stefan comes to us through an arrangement with his family," the auctioneer continued. "The Romano family, some of you may know. This is a special opportunity to forge connections with one of New York's most influential families."
I felt Sandro go rigid beside me. I glanced at him. His expression was carefully controlled but his eyes were sharp. Calculating.
Then I looked at Matteo.
Matteo was staring at Stefan with an intensity that made the air feel electric. His hands were clenched on the armrests. His entire body was coiled like a spring about to release.
"Matteo?" Sandro's voice was quiet. "You interested?"
"That's Giuseppe Romano's youngest son." Matteo didn't look away from Stefan. "The one they always overlook. Too soft for the family business. They dress him up and parade him around at functions but never let him do anything real."
On stage, Stefan met Matteo's stare. Didn't look away. Didn't flinch. Just stared back with those defiant green eyes like he was challenging Matteo to see him. Really see him.
Something dark and possessive flared across Matteo's face.
"We'll start the bidding at fifty thousand," the auctioneer said.
Hands went up immediately. Stefan was from a powerful family. Buying his companionship was buying access. Influence. The kind of connections that couldn't be purchased anywhere else.
The bid climbed quickly. Seventy-five thousand. Ninety. One hundred.
Stefan stood perfectly still through all of it. His expression never changed. But I saw his hands clench slightly at his sides. The only sign this was affecting him.
"One hundred twenty-five thousand," someone called out.
"One hundred fifty," another voice countered.
