“What is he talking about?” Lily asked, her eyebrows pinched together with worry.
“You didn’t hear?” Zane spoke to her, but his eyes were focused on me. “Little Miss Adeline was the star of the auction. You should have seen the bidding war that went on.” He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. “It was a first for us. Who knew this little spark could be worth so much?”
“What?” Lily asked, the color draining from her already pale face.
“And to think,” Zane continued, ignoring Lily. “Mr. Shevchenko paid twice the going rate for someone who has been nothing but a pain in my ass.” He laughed. “You’ll be his problem soon enough.”
“What?” Lily repeated, her voice desperate. “What is going on?”
“They sold me at the auction,” I said, my voice hollow. My breath whooshed out, leaving me feeling empty. Zane’s eyes met mine, flashing sadistic enjoyment. Rage waved over me, and I desperately wanted to hurt him.
“You’re a pathetic, psychotic loser,” I sneered. “The only thing you have going for you is that pretty face. Someone’s gonna enjoy making you their bitch in prison.”
“Shut up,” he retorted.
“I can see it now, the inmates fighting over who gets to stick it up your tight little ass.”
“I said shut up!” He pushed off the wall.
“Maybe they’ll take turns, and you’ll finally know how it feels to be raped over and over again. I hope they pull you apart and make you bleed.”
He lunged forward and took hold of the neck of my shirt. He raised his fist and stopped. “Can’t damage the merchandise,” he said through clenched teeth. Needing a release, he let me go, turned around, and hit Lily. She cried out and fell to the floor. “That was your fault,” Zane told me, his voice thick with held back anger. With his lips pulled back in a snarl, he grabbed Rochelle by the arm. “Go upstairs. Wait in my room.”#p#分页标题#e#
Rochelle nodded, doe-eyed, and reached out to touch Zane’s face. He jerked out of the way and stormed over to me. I stood my ground, taking a deep breath. I didn’t think he would hit me, not with so much money riding on my well-being and physical appearance. He grasped my shoulders, yanked me forward, and kneed me in the stomach. The wind got knocked out of me, and pain radiated, making me feel like I was going to throw up.
“It’ll heal,” he said mostly to himself. He turned on his heel following Rochelle up the stairs. I panted and pushed myself up.
“Lily,” I said and rushed over to her. Droplets of blood splattered onto the floor.
She pressed her hand over her nose and gagged. Blood continued to seep through her fingers.
“Lean forward,” I told her. “You’re swallowing the blood.” I put my hand on her shoulder.
She shook me off, narrowing her pretty green eyes. “Stop,” she mumbled.
I recoiled, my feelings hurt. “I’m sorry,” I apologized, though I didn’t think I needed to. Zane hit Lily because he was bat-shit crazy. I didn’t make him.
“Just leave me alone,” she said, spitting out blood. “Yuck.” She pinched her nose and tipped her head up, ignoring my advice, and struggled to her feet. She went over to the vanity. “Fuck. I’m supposed to work the streets tonight. Who’s gonna want me now?” she muttered. She spoke low as if she was talking to herself, but I knew she was saying it aloud only to make me feel bad.
“Maybe you’ll have the night off?” I offered.
“And lose money?” she scoffed.
I stared at her reflection. Where had the girl gone who, just a few minutes before, wanted to escape? Her mindset was changing. She was becoming more and more brainwashed, just like Rochelle. I retreated to my cot, wrapping the blue blanket around my shoulders. Lily showered and dressed in pajamas before working on her hair. I ground my teeth and fought back tears.
The whirl of the hairdryer drowned out the sound of the door opening. I didn’t know Jackson had come down the stairs with our daily food until he set the tray down and came over to the bed. He touched my shoulder; I startled and jerked upright.
“Sorry,” he said and backed away, nervously eyeing Lily, who had her head upside down, blasting it with hot air.
I nodded in understanding. Our eyes met. I wanted so badly to pull him to me, to wrap my arms around him. My heart ached and I longed to feel the heat of his skin against mine. It hurt, being this close to him without being able to touch him. Lily flipped her head up. Jackson turned around and went up the stairs. I got off the cot and grabbed a granola bar. I ate it slowly and lay back down.