Guide? Festivities? Was the asshole kidding me?
“Therefore, this is a competition. You need to be on your best behavior. The girl next to you is not your friend. Don’t thinkof her that way. She is your enemy. Every one of you needs to fight for your place. Any attempt at escape will be met with harsh results. If you’re not sold, you will be eliminated from the competition.”
He was pitting one against the other. The motherfucker.
I glared at him, waiting until he glanced from one to the other of us, his gaze finally falling to my face. He cocked his head, taking a deep breath before he walked toward me. I stood my ground, refusing to back down to the man.
“Ah, this is the one Lucifer mentioned. I imagine you could fetch a very hefty price.” When he reached out to touch my face, I moved my head. Instead of laughing or becoming angry, even behind the mask I could tell he was narrowing his eyes.
As if he recognized me. Not from any trouble I’d caused, but from a resemblance. Yes, my sister and I looked alike to some degree. How much so I didn’t know given how long it had been since I’d seen her.
He refused to comply with me pulling away, pinching my chin between his fingers and forcing my head toward him. “I’m going to call you Star. I’ll be eager to see what you do on the circuit tonight. Don’t disappoint me. You won’t like what happens if you do.”
With that, he walked from the room after motioning to the guards.
There was no true way of understanding how anyone could believe it was acceptable to sell another human being. I wasn’tblind nor was I stupid. I’d certainly read about horrific sex crimes, women and children often the targets. So many people believed such atrocities couldn’t occur in the United States even though there’d been reports of various sex traffickers, some captured and incarcerated.
While people could easily understand cartels or crime syndicates being involved, I had my doubts that anyone could fully comprehend that average, normal people would even consider something so heinous.
I’d been bathed and given a French manicure. I’d had my hair and makeup done by what appeared to be a professional. I’d been provided with a gorgeous albeit skimpy dress that had to cost more than I made in two weeks, maybe more. There’d been a flurry of activity, at least two dozen people attending to our needs.
All wearing masks. Men. Women. They’d also all remained silent, as if uttering a single word would cost them either their job or their life.
We’d been taught a routine, told how to walk and when to smile. When to flirt and when to gyrate our bodies. Every bit of it disgusted me.
The setup had seemed like being backstage at a movie or a television show. I’d been led from one room to another, every space lavish. There’d even been a buffet at one point, trays of fresh fruits and vegetables, expensive cheeses and meat. Breads. Sweets.
We’d been able to eat as much as we’d wanted.
I’d stood by the entire time, watching. Listening.
Observing.
The girls had feasted, even laughing as if what they were about to go through was simply part of the modeling gig they’d been offered.
What little questions I’d managed to ask had confirmed the women had all been lured by similar modeling ads. For some reason, I had a feeling they had several scenarios.
During the entire afternoon of primping, we’d been reminded several times that whatever the event, we were enemies, pitted against each other.
Now several of the girls had started tossing me skewed looks. Maybe because I was taller and the only blonde in the group. What did it really matter at this point?
My stomach remained in knots, uncertain what to expect.
With every glaring look I’d received, I’d realized just how easy it was to indoctrinate people when they were terrified and hungry.
“Alright, ladies. It’s time. Now, all you need to do is to dance. A couple of rules to follow. The men are allowed to touch you through the cage bars. If one of our members requests your presence, you will be guided toward them where you will do exactly as they command you to do.”
“What would they want?” one of the girls asked.
A grin spread across Steven’s face. “They’ll want to see their merchandise and how you’ll perform your duties.”
“Duties as what exactly?” I couldn’t help myself.
He slowly turned his head toward me, his nostrils flaring. “As their slave, Star. As. Their. Slave. My suggestion is that youaccept your fate. You won’t like what happens if you’re returned for not performing your duties.”
I shook my head. Controlling my nerves was beginning to be a problem. How was it possible I’d find my sister now?
“And one more thing. Don’t try and escape. First, there is no one here who will help you and even if you make it out of this building, you will be hunted, and I assure you that we have the resources necessary to find you. Second, a single attempt will result in harsh punishment that you won’t soon forget.”
