Adam cast him an assessing glance, stroking his chin between his thumb and finger before he answered, “We have similar tastes, and I make sure he’s well taken care of. Perhaps he looked so serious tonight because I promised him I would consider purchasing him his own slave for thekeeping.”
“It is good to keep one such as him around. But that is a hefty reward, myfriend.”
Adam shrugged, “He has been invaluable to me. He has handled many, let’s say, situations. As you said before, we don’t have the same freedom from repercussions here in theStates.”
It was vital for Chaplinsky to buy their little act. If he thought Cole and Adam were a truly sadistic pair, he might be willing to put in a good word for them to attend the private auctiontonight.
Cole leaned in and said, “You should’ve gotten rid of the little bitch months ago. I told you it was pointless to waste your time onnegotiations.”
“That’s enough. I said we would not speak of thisagain.”
Cole shrugged but leaned back, giving in to his pretend boss. “Of course. Just remember, I like blondes, preferably ones who screamloud.”
Chaplinsky let out a great burst of laughter, and their slave/waitress sidled up to the table with two drinks—lowball crystal glasses filled with scotch—effectively ending the conversation. Throwing in that bit about blondes had been a last-minute idea on Cole’s part. Adam’s missing submissive, Tara, had platinum blonde hair. If they saw her up for bidding tonight, his comment would give his “boss” a good excuse to aggressively pursue her forpurchase.
Adam lifted his glass in salute. “To new friends and business partners, may we have a very profitable relationship.” Chaplinsky clinked his glass to Adam’s and downed his scotch in one swallow, lifting a fat finger in the air for their waitress to bring him a refill. Adam threw back his scotch and did the same. She brought the refills withinseconds.
The lights dimmed further, casting the audience into near darkness, and the raised stage at the front lit up. A short, thin man dressed in the same flowing pants and half vests as the other guards stepped up to the center. “My esteemed guests, the auction is about to begin. Please remember, all sales are final. Each slave’s full medical, social, and educational history shall be provided upon request and guaranteed as authentic. We have ten lovelies up for purchase tonight, all of them eager and willing to serve their new masters to the fullest of theirabilities.”
Adam lifted his glass again. “Wish meluck.”
Chaplinsky silently met his salute and downed his scotch. This time Adam opted to sip his. The waitress refilled Chaplinsky’s glass and the auctionbegan.
“Up first we have this beautiful brunette, who has come to us by way of the western United States.” A nearly naked leggy brunette slowly walked out onto the stage, her chin held high and proud. She had a narrow waist, more so than Cole would’ve cared for, but a beautiful set of hips a man could grab onto.
“The bidding will begin at $50,000.” There were some low murmurs in the crowd and the bidding began in earnest. Although Cole could see the woman on stage had some submissive tendencies, the proud tilt of her chin screamed stubbornness. If he were actually purchasing a slave tonight, there was no way he’d consider a woman likethat.
Not that he would ever purchase a slave, willing or not. The thought filled his mouth with sawdust. He wanted a woman who submitted in bed but spoke her mind in the light of day. Didn’t matter anyway. The thought of committing to someone for longer than a week or two still turned his stomach. Truth be told, a numbness had settled into his chest after Tomi left him, and it had slowly but surely spread until it permeated his entire body. He’d never found someone to replace her, and when he stopped and thought about it, Cole realized it had been several months since he’d even had sex. It hadn’t bothered him in theleast.
The lack of desire wasn’t like him. He’d always been a man full of passion, but it was getting harder and harder to give a damn. He’d hoped starting up the private security firm would help him dig up some interest in living again. In some ways it had—he’d enjoyed the responsibility of running the business and cultivating its growth these last two years—but his interest in relationships, even one-night stands, haddimmed.
No woman after Tomi had ever measured up. Even now, nearly a decade after they’d last seen each other, he compared every woman to her. At one point, he’d even sunk low enough to actively seek out women who looked like her, hoping if he fucked enough of them he could fuck Tomi out of his mindforever.
It hadn’tworked.
“There is your blonde, my friend.” Chaplinsky lifted his half-empty glass toward thestage.
“Gentlemen, we have slave number three up for auction.” A tiny man turned and held out his arm, ushering the petite blonde closer to the front of the stage. She had short pixie-cut hair, narrow bony shoulders and hips, and equally flat breasts. She kept her eyes cast to the floor, her hands hanging limply at hersides.
Adam lifted a questioning brow in Cole’sdirection.
Cole scowled. “I prefer not to fuckscarecrows.”
Chaplinsky and Adam both chuckled at the crudecomment.
“This beautiful slave is looking for a new master. She is extremely well versed in the art of submission and wished for me to allow her to showcase one of her particularly special talents before the bidding begins.” The auctioneer bowed and took a step back. Without lifting her head or meeting the gaze of anyone in the room, the petite blonde gracefully lowered to the floor, lifted her back, bent her knees, and twisted her body into an angle that should’ve been impossible. She unwound herself into two other limber positions that Cole himself had never seen. Whispers of excitement filled the room. When the slave climbed back to her feet and assumed her demure stance, the auctioneer stepped up to the mic. “As you can see, this slave is extremely talented and will be able to offer you new pleasures I’m almost certain you haven’t experienced before. We’ll start the bidding at $75,000. I promise you gentlemen, she will notdisappoint.”
“Fine looking slave.” Chaplinsky sloshed back another glass of scotch, drinking the fine liquor like it was his fifth Diet Coke of theday.
“Like I said, too skinny. Plus, she’s just playacting. I don’t have the time or the inclination to help her figure out her calling.” Cole glowered at Adam, who lifted his hands in a self-defensive gesture. “Never again. I don’t want another repeat of the last one either. You say no; I sayno.”
“Looks like that’s all you’re going to get here. This is a waste of time.” Cole crossed his ankles and leaned back, his expression bored and full of disdain, as if he couldn’t wait to leave this place, all the while stealthily watching Chaplinsky’s every thought flicker across his face. The Russian wouldn’t be here if he was stupid, but he was starting to buy theirroutine.
Now all Adam and Cole had to do was not fuck it up by overplaying their roles. Adam took a careful sip of his scotch, turning away from Cole. “Don’t listen to him,” he said to Chaplinsky, “he’s still pouty. Now tell me about your business. I’ve been thinking of venturing into the internationalwaters.”
That lead-in was all Chaplinsky needed to launch into detailed praise of his enterprise. Much of it was probably fluff, but if half of it was valid, he wielded a considerable amount of control in his homeland. His claim to be a favorite of the Russian president was of particular interest. It sounded like Chaplinsky had an all-access pass to do whatever the hell he wanted as long as he kept raking in billions of dollars and paying his fair share to his government. He was exactl the kind of man who would feel comfortable moving in and out of the criminal element circles withoutreprisal.
Exactly the kind of man who would come to an illegal sex trafficking auction to purchase aslave.
