Kade unzipped my garment bag, revealing a stunning red dress and red heels. Inside a hidden compartment was a small earpiece. He handed it to me. “You won’t be able to respond, but you will be able to hear us. Are you ready?”
I nodded as I placed the small silicone piece in my ear before letting my curled brunette hair down to fall over my shoulders. A knock sounded on the door, making me jump. Kade walked over to the door and whispered back and forth with Machine.
“Move out of my way, Machine.” My blood ran cold at the sound of Ricci’s voice. Kade put on his mask of indifference toward me and stepped out of the path, allowing Ricci to enter.
Ricci wore a black bespoke suit with a crisp button-up shirt underneath. A black mask sat on his forehead. Hisblue eyes felt like ice on my skin as a cruel smile tipped up on his lips. “There’s my gem of the night.”
I was frozen in place, paralyzed by fear.
“Kade, make sure she doesn’t try anything. We’re ten minutes from showtime.” He looked at Kade before turning around to leave the room. “Make sure she doesn’t leave your sight.”
Kade nodded in understanding. It was strange to see the head of the Mafia act compliant. However, I knew it was only to keep me safe.
Ricci’s phone rang once before he answered. “Hi, pumpkin. Yes, I’m on my way,” I heard him say as he left the room. To my knowledge, he only called one person pumpkin. My sister.
Was she here? Did she know what he had planned for me?
I turned away from Kade and slipped out of the robe I had on to change into my chosen attire for the evening. Underneath was a nude corset with hidden sleeves built in and high on my calf was a black garter to hold a knife.
“Turn around, princess.”
I did as he asked.
My breath hitched when I saw the desire in his gaze. He walked toward me and placed two thin daggers in the hidden compartments in the corset. He was careful not to let his fingers linger in areas that he shouldn’t be. He turned to the garment bag and took out the beautiful floor length gown. He held it out to me before I stepped in. The chiffon material felt soft against my skin as I turned so my back was facing Kade so he could zip up the dress.
No words were spoken, but he knew the silent command. His fingers felt warm against my skin and sent waves of heat to my core. I turned around and instantlyregretted it. Kade looked so delicious in his black-on-black custom suit. The only deviation of color from his ensemble was the red pocket square that peaked out of pocket on his chest.
I went to grab my shoes that lay on top of the vanity. “Let me.”
I looked at Kade, confused. He lifted the shoes and pointed to the couch. “Sit.”
Suddenly, one of the deadliest men in the world was kneeling before me. To everyone else he was the ruthless Don. But to me… what was he to me? I couldn’t allow my thoughts to spiral. He slipped one of the red heels on my foot, and bit his lower lip when he looked up at me.
“You’re a vision.” He quickly put my other shoe on, pressing a kiss to the top of each foot.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Kade grabbed something out of his pocket. “May I?” He nodded to my leg and held up a knife.
Understanding dawned on me before I nodded.
Slowly he moved the skirt of the dress up to my thigh where the garter was. After securing the weapon in the fabric, he pressed one last kiss to my knee.
I met his intense gaze and before I realized what I was doing, I was leaning in to kiss him. A knock on the door snapped me out of the spell I seemed to be under. Kade cleared his throat before standing up at the same time I did. I had to fight the urge not to smile as I saw him try to readjust himself in his pants. I was happy to know I wasn't the only one feeling something.
Machine opened the door. “It’s time.”
Two of Ricci’s men escorted me to the stage that stood in the middle of the club. Masked men and women sat in chairs around the stage waiting to give their bids. My redheels clicked on the tiled floor as we moved forward. No matter how many plans and backup plans were made, I still felt uneasy. Ricci was unpredictable. Machine stood at the bottom of the stairs with a black mask that covered half of his face. He gave me the briefest of nods, letting me know he had my back.
A red velvet curtain covered the stage before me for dramatic effect. I could hear Ricci walk onto a small platform just inside the curtained area. I stood in the middle of the stage as Ricci's men cuffed one of my hands to a railing. As soon as they were off the stage, Ricci began his introduction.
“Welcome ladies and gentlemen, to tonight’s event. At each of your seats you will find a red button. If you want to make a bid, please press it. Payment is due as soon as the bidding ends for each prize.”
I rolled my eyes at the wordprize. I wasn’t a fucking prize, I was a fucking person. My form-fitting red dress felt like it was constricting my air supply. I took several deep breaths as the thick curtain began to rise. Spotlights turned on, making it impossible to see anyone in the crowd.
“I would like to start the festivities with our gem of the night. We will be starting bids at two million.”
A small dinging sound sounded as the first bid came through. Just as Ricci was about to move up the bid, the lights around the club shut off before floodlights came on.
