Ablaze

Alexi’s POV

“The next item will be the last one for tonight. She is a young virgin who will fulfill your darkest fantasies. But be careful as she might bite” the announcer said with a wink and soon a chorus of laughter erupted from the audience. They all seemed to be eager to meet the next slave.

And so was I.

The spotlight fell on a little girl beside the stage and she appeared to be reluctant to move. A bulky man came up right behind her shoved her further into the stage and she stumbled towards the middle, where everyone will be able to see her.

Howls and whistles quickly filled up the air as the girl made herself available to their hungry eyes.

From the VIP chamber I had a bird’s eye view of everything, but it was no help because the girl was keeping her head bowed. I narrowed my eyes to catch a glimpse of how she looked like and when another spotlight was focused on her face, all the air left my lungs.

Holy fucking....!

You have got to be kidding me!!!

On recognizing who it was, I shifted in my seat and leaned forward to observe her closely.

Clad in a transparent white dress, the blond girl hugged herself tightly, her petal shaped eyes glittering with unshed tears. Her face was crimson as she snapped her head from side to side, probably hoping to get some help from the audience. But she wasn’t going to find what she was seeking. At least not from the men who are waiting to pounce on her the first chance they get.

The girl looked exactly the one I encountered yesterday and since then, I haven’t been able to get her out of my mind. One look at her and I was drawn to her like a helpless moth. Last night I wanted to stake my claim on her but I wasn’t in a position to do so. And now that fate had granted me the golden chance, I was going to take it, no matter what the price.

“Since she is the youngest and the hottest piece tonight, the bidding shall begin at thirty thousand dollars”

Even before the announcer could put his tongue back in his mouth, people began shouting their bids. Looks like all the bastards desperately wanted her. Too bad that only one person would walk out of here with her. And that person is going to be me.

I pressed my earpiece, connecting the device to my partner, Zack.

“I’m bidding for her” I informed.

“Are you crazy? You know that’s not why we came here!” Zack snapped, almost breaching my eardrum. I knew that this wasn’t my first priority tonight, but seeing her changes everything.

“Change of plans. I’m buying her and you know how to deposit fake money into Bradford’s account” the words tasted bitter as discretely passed the instruction to Zack. We both knew that I didn’t want a part in this sick game of purchasing humans, but this time he had to trust me. 

Zack must have thought that I have gone mad, but after grumbling something, he agreed.

When I shifted my focus back to the girl, I saw something that set my heart on fire. Some of the men in the front row began chanting that they needed to see her boobs and the next second, two men appeared and they peeled away her hands that were protectively wrapped around her frame, baring her upper body that was covered with a flimsy transparent material.

As expected, the crowd went wild and began raising more and more bids.

The way she shivered made me reach for my tab and type out the biggest number that came to my mind.

Twenty million dollars.

“Looks like we have a very generous bidder among us and he is willing to place a bid of twenty million dollars” the announcement came shortly.

That’s right you asshole, I am that generous. I smirked to myself, knowing that I was going to get her.

As though someone had suck out the whole air, the whole room feel silent at once, and then people began murmuring to each other, probably trying to guess who the bidder was.

But the girl’s reaction was the most priceless. She gasped and ran her terrified eyes across the room, searching for the man who was willing to let go of that much money just to have her.

Although it’s a huge sum, for me it’s just a drop in the ocean. Not that I was planning to give that much money in reality, but I could if I wanted to.

“Since I cannot see anyone raising their bids, is safe to say that twenty million dollars gets the girl” the words I yearned to hear boomed across the space.

As much as it gave me so much satisfaction to hear people’s disappointed scoffs, I was also guilt ridden. I must have given her a heart ache when I placed the bid, but it was for the best and soon she will realize it too. As of now, I have to be the bad guy.

Putting the tab away, I fixed my cuffs and stood up. I expected Bradford to come and greet me, but one of his new recruits came in his place, bathing me in disappointment. It meant that Bradford was not here. Hiding my frustration, I took the man’s hand and acted natural.

“My name is Yuri. Mr. Bradford couldn’t be here with us tonight, but he sends you his best” the man remarked with a practiced smile and I nodded timidly. I gave a quick glance at my watch to give an impression that I was running late and it worked because the man offered to escort me through the shortest way out.

“I’m leaving only when I get the thing I purchased” I reminded him casually as he walked alongside of me.

“Sir, the girl will be with you in a few minutes” saying that he broke away from me, leaving me at the guard of his men.

Time ticked by and he came back, but he wasn’t alone. One of his hands were firmly clasped on the chain that was latched to the blond girl’s hands and she was walked to me like a pet dog.

“Here’s your package, Sir” He dutifully passed the chain to my hands. I took it from him and gave him a nod before guiding her away from the men, towards my car. Surprisingly, the girl followed me like an obedient slave.

In between my steps, I snuck a look at her through the corner of my eyes and caught her peeking at me. But whenever our eyes met, she would look away, probably scared that I might hurt her. Most of the men hated when their women looked them in the eye, but I wasn’t like them. I wanted her to have some fire and stare me down until I am drowning in her hazel orbs.

I stopped when I reached my car and turned to unlock her hands from the chains. None of us looked at each other until the chain fell to the ground with a clang.

The men who stood guard outside smiled wickedly, thinking that I was going to ruin her in the car itself.

Sick bastards.

But when her face lifted and she looked me with those brimming eyes graced with innocence, I had to hold on to my demons so that I won’t corrupt her.

“S-Sir will y-you let m-me go?” she asked quietly, her angelic voice alluring enough to hypnotize me. For a moment she made me forget where I was. I was teleported to heaven and brought back in record speed.

I had to swallow and shake my head to come back to earth. Reminding myself that I was still in character, I adopted a cruel stance.

“I bought you for serving me, understood?” I growled and she flinched like I’ve slapped her. I hate this version of myself.

Fuck you Alexi!

“Enough talk. Now get in the car” I ordered and flung the door open. She shook like a leaf as she took an unsteady step to get inside, but suddenly her eyelids fluttered close and she swayed to the side.

“Dammit” I moved quickly and lifted her in my arms, before she could fall down and hurt herself.

“Start the car, Zack” I told to the person in the driver’s seat as I slipped into the back seat, her weak body cradled against my chest. Zack quickly removed his camouflage and without asking any questions he turned on the engine.

The moment my eyes met his on the rear-view mirror, he gave me a ‘what’s going on’ look.

“I’ll tell you when we get to safety” I stated and he muttered, “You better”

When the car began rolling, my gaze was drawn back to the pixie in my arms. Her lashes were long and curled, her nose perfectly shaped and her lips full and pink. Staring at her alone made my cock hard.

Bringing my nose to her hair I inhaled the feminine essence and it made my soul feel light. For the first time in many years, I finally felt at peace and I wished for that moment to never end.

“It’s time” Zack’s urgency riddled voice crashed me into reality. I opened my eyes that I didn’t even know that I had closed and scanned our surroundings. Now was the time.

“Do it” I gave permission and Zack moved his fingers on a mini computer like device placed on his lap. I kept on glancing back at the auction house, bracing myself for the spectacle when suddenly the girl stirred in my arms.

 My attention easily shifted to her and I saw her gently opening her eyelids and peering up a me with confusion. I wanted to offer her a smile or a word of compassion, but all I did was stare back at her like an idiot.

That’s when the first bomb exploded inside the nearby building and the car suffered a jolt of shock. I knew that the girl must have seen what was happening outside because her hazel orbs that reflected flames were also latched with fear.

I followed her gaze and nonchalantly faced the widow, my heart thumping with the sight of victory. I couldn’t get Bradford tonight, but I destroyed his main hub of business and nothing gives me more satisfaction than that.

“D-Did you do it?” she asked quietly. The girl’s question surprised me because usually I was really good at masking my emotions but this time, maybe my joy was apparent on my face or maybe she had gathered the information from the command I gave Zack.

Instead of giving her the reply that burned at the tip of my tongue, I fixed her with a knowing look.

Apprehension tightened her features as she concluded, “Y-you did it...”

I only smirked.

“B-But why?” She asked a second later.

I bend down until my mouth was on her ear and whispered, “Because I am the Devil”

When I drew back her eyes where round, her breathing labored.

“W-will you h-urt me?” her voice quivered and before I could answer, she began hiccupping.

“Please *hiccup* d-don’t hurt *hiccup* me” she cried while trembling and the sight of tears dribbling down her cheeks stabbed my conscience with guilt.

“I won’t hurt you unless you give me a reason” it was all I could offer her at that point. A little worry faded from her face and I knew I had chosen the right words.

“Go to sleep” I said to her firmly and pressed her closer to my chest. Her hiccupping subdued after a few minutes and exhaustion won her as her eyes fell shut. She snored softly against my hard chest and something weird stirred in my heart, but I shook it off.

She was just like any other girl I’ve fucked and tossed away. In a matter of weeks, I will definitely forget about this girl and move on to the next one.

I don’t know why but I think the devil on my left shoulder just muttered, “Good luck with that”.