Page 51 of Auctioned to the Billionaire Bodyguard

I did as she asked, swaying my hips and playing to the audience. It wasn’t that far from stripping except I had clothes on and didn’t look skanky.

Maybe it was very far from stripping, come to think of it.

I did one more loop of the runway while she spoke, and then I paused at the end and waited for the bidding to start. Several men bid, and I recognized most of their faces from Cayenne. They were handsome, but I shuddered to think of living with someone I didn’t know at all. I was glad when Enzo raised his paddle.

A few of the men instantly back off when they realized he was bidding. But a couple of others didn’t.

“Do I hear two million?”

My legs almost buckled at the thought of all that money. It was crazy how much disposable income some people had while others could barely pay their water bill. It made me sad.

Suddenly, Joaquin got in on the bidding. I froze. This wasn’t part of the plan. But I saw the way his dark blue eyes raked over me, and I knew he was going to keep trying to win.

Enzo looked pissed. He sighed.

“How about two point five million?” Carmen asked. I glanced behind me and saw that she was shooting laser beams at Joaquin with her eyes. He ignored her and raised his paddle. So did Enzo.

And then there was a commotion towards the back of the room, and Byron, Nadine, and Reynolds hurried in.

“Three million,” Byron called.

Everyone turned to look at him. We all knew he was well off, but I didn’t think he was able to drop three million dollars so easily. Or that he evenhadthree million dollars.

I saw Enzo lean over and say something to Joaquin. He looked angry, but he threw his paddle down. Enzo laid his down, too, and winked at me.

Byron was going to win. But… why did he want me? I glanced back at Carmen. She’d made it sound like she and Byron were together. I’d heard him say that he loved her. What was going on?

Carmen’s face looked sad and a little angry. “Sold to Byron St. James for three million dollars!”

I walked to the end of the stage while she said the closing words for the auction.

“Gentlemen, I’m going to do something I haven’t done before to close out the show,” Carmen said. “I have already selected next month’s featured Cinnamon Girl. And she’s someone you’ve been waiting to see in the auction for a long time. So, without further ado, here comes everyone’s favorite bartender, Nora Fontaine!”

There was a brief, shocked silence, and then the men started clapping. Some stomped their feet and a few even whistled as Nora made her way down the runway. She looked like a dream in a white satin gown with silver beading that caught the lights just right. She was stunning, and I knew she’d bring in a huge bid at her auction. She walked to the end and gave me a hug. We stood there together for a minute, and Ardley took pictures. I wassurprised, because cameras were usually banned, but I figured Carmen had a good plan.

She always did.

“Thanks again, Nora,” I whispered.

“No problem at all, sweetie,” She gave me a little squeeze, waved to the crowd and walked back down the runway.

“That concludes tonight’s auction. Let me have all of the ladies who participated tonight come back out on the runway. Gentlemen, please escort your ladies to the back, where there are hostesses to explain the next steps to you.”

I walked down the stairs. Byron hurried over to me. “Let’s go back there. I have to fill things out, I’m sure, since I was late.”

“Where were you?”

“I’ll explain everything once we get to my condo. I actually live right below Enzo’s penthouse in Salazar Towers, so you’re going to be doubly safe. You’ll live with me but still be in close proximity to Enzo Salazar. Not a bad duo of protection,” he grinned.

“Right.” My smile suddenly felt frozen. He hadn’t wanted to bid on me. He’d only wanted to protect me. His bid was probably fake, too. The Salazars were probably covering it. I tried not to sigh.

He was more than likely just as in love with Carmen as he’d always been. He was just providing security until Skeeter was caught.

I felt my eyes getting moist, and I had to fight back the urge to cry. It was just so difficult. I’d fallen hard and fast for Byron.

Byron wrapped his arm around me and gave me a quick hug. “You look gorgeous,” he whispered in my ear. “I’m going to have Enzo and Leo take you home while I handle the paperwork and talk to Carmen for a bit. I’ll see you soon.” He smiled at me distractedly and then sort of left me there.

It wasn’t long and I saw him in a deep discussion with Carmen. I wanted to watch and see what it was about if I could, but Enzo showed up at my side.