He held onto me, and I was thankful for that, especially with the way I felt.I didn’t want to be this nervous.
We entered the party, and there were a lot of people present.I was never invited to parties, and my family rarely had any at the house.They often went out to parties.
There was no one I recognized.I didn’t pay attention to anyone else during that trade, which felt like a lifetime ago, and almost like a bad memory.
Draven had spared no expense in putting on a show.There were gymnasts spinning on what looked to be sheets.I wasn’t that understanding of the terminology, but they looked stunning.A small band played on some kind of stage, and it was a beautiful sound.Waiters and waitresses passed with trays of champagne and little nibbles to keep the appetite at bay.I felt so out of place.This was dripping with luxury.
This was not where I was ever meant to be, and I found myself sinking against Draven a little more, my nerves getting the better of me.I didn’t like this feeling.
And that was when I caught sight of them, the only people I would ever recognize—my parents, my two remaining brothers, and my sister.All together, looking mighty happy with themselves.
I couldn’t help but pause in my steps as I caught sight of my old family.I didn’t know how I would feel if I ever saw them again.I had hoped they would miss me or wish they hadn’t sold me.One look at them, and I could see they didn’t care.I wasn’t even a memory to them.
“Do not panic,” Draven said.
“What are they doing here?”I asked.
“It’s all part of the plan.”
I had no idea what Draven had planned.In that moment, I felt a little sick.This was Draven’s party.Everything he was doing was for a reason, and I didn’t have the first clue what that reason was.Was I nervous for them?I didn’t know.
I wasn’t sure if they had seen me.“I need to use the bathroom,” I said.
He smiled and pointed in the direction, but he also surprised me by escorting me to the bathroom.
“I’ll wait here for you,” he said.
I made my way inside the bathroom, and there was no one in the ladies’ room, which was a relief.I didn’t need to use the bathroom, but I felt like I needed a minute or a hundred to compose myself.I was not going to leave Draven out there for long.
Entering the cubicle, I pulled the lid down and sat on it.Pressing my hands at either side of my face, I was careful not to mess up my makeup or my hair.I happened to like the way it looked, and I didn’t want to spoil it now.
I took a deep breath and exhaled.Took another deep breath and exhaled again.In and out, I breathed deeply, trying to gain some focus on my situation.This is exactly how I felt when I discovered the paperwork that indicated I was born to be sold.They had my sister as a backup, but at no point did they ever question getting rid of me.
Tears filled my eyes, and I quickly closed them and clenched my hands into fists.I was not going to give them the time of day.I was not crying for them.I was crying for the old me, the one that had wanted their approval, their love, their everything.
I was not going to make a fool of myself.My situation wasn’t so dire.I happened to like Draven, and I knew that was putting it mildly.It was messed up, but I knew my feelings were a lot stronger than just liking him.It was impossible not to.
I was falling for him.He was the nicest, sexiest, sweetest, most caring person I had ever met, and I knew he wasn’t a good man.That was what was so ironic—I knew he had something to do with my brother’s death.And yet, he had been the only one to show me he cared.
Once my head was in the right place, I stepped out of the bathroom stall to come face to face with my sister, Lilliana.
“I thought I had seen you come here,” Lilliana said.
I stared at her and folded my arms beneath my breasts.I was not going to be the one to talk first.Sometimes, growing up, she would taunt me, especially when I knew the truth, and our parents decided not to hide it anymore.She would constantly tell me I wasn’t good enough, and that the only reason she wasn’t using me for practice was because I was not allowed to be harmed.
My sister tutted when she looked down at me.There was a time I might have let that stare affect me.
“I’m shocked to see you’re still alive,” she said.
Rather than frown or look scared, I offered her a smile.For the first time in our lives together, this unnerved her.I hold open my arms and turn for her to get a full look at my very perfect, healthy body.
“It is nice to know you care,” I said.
“You’re going to die,” she said.
I smiled.
“You’re nothing but a toy,” she said.“He’s going to use you, play with you, and then he’s going to hurt you.”
