Chapter 2

[Now's your chance. Make a run for the stairwell, hide in one of the trash carts, and let them wheel you right out of the building. This is it, last chance!]

I smirked and walked straight to the elevator in the opposite direction.

I sent an emergency text to the police while I was still in the elevator. Then I walked out of the hotel with Elaine at my side.

I looked up, and my stomach dropped.

The cars parked out front weren't my family's wedding convoy. They belonged to Yvette's enemies.

[They think you're Yvette's true love, so they're here to grab you and make her pay! What are you waiting for? Get back inside!]

I saw exactly what the messages were trying to do.

These people had come prepared. They'd already taken control of the real wedding cars. If I ran back into the hotel, I'd be walking straight into a trap.

That was how I'd end up dead for real.

"Hey, I just remembered I left the engagement ring upstairs. Can you go grab it for me?"

Elaine studied my face for a moment, then nodded. "Sure. Stay right here."

I watched her disappear through the hotel doors, then I ran straight for the police station across the street.

I didn't make it far.

A hand clamped down hard on my shoulder, and Elaine's face appeared in front of me, with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Jonathan, the wedding cars are around back. You're going the wrong way."

She grabbed my arm and started pulling me back without another word.

My blood went cold. Elaine, the sister who'd spoiled me my whole life, was working with Frederick!

I lowered my head and bit down on her hand.

The moment her grip loosened, I spun around and bolted, only to slam straight into a man's solid chest.

The scarred man's grin was disgusting. His thick fingers wrapped around my throat and squeezed. "Mr. Smith, my lady paid 10 million for you. Where do you think you're going?"

The memories of being humiliated and abused by that sleazy rich woman and her thugs in my previous life resurfaced in my mind.

My body started to shake. I watched Elaine take the check the man handed her and walk away without looking back once.

The messages exploded across my vision.

[You should've listened and run when you had the chance. At least getting auctioned off by Yvette would've been better than this. You're done for! These people have a blood feud with Yvette. Honestly? You'd be better off ending it yourself than waiting for what comes next.]

My chest was heaving, but I forced myself to hold the scarred man's gaze.

"I'll pay you twice whatever she paid. Let me go, and I'll tell you exactly what Yvette's weakness is."

He blinked, just for a second. Then his smile stretched wider. He ran his thumb along my jaw.

"Yvette's man is scared of a little pain. That's almost funny."

He waved his hand, and two bodyguards stepped up from behind and pinned my arms.

"My lady gave one order today. It doesn't matter who shows up to stop us. We're taking your virginity tonight and making Yvette choke on the humiliation."

I fought back, but struggling against men that size was pointless. He laughed and dragged me toward the car like I weighed nothing.

At that moment, the wail of police sirens grew closer and closer, and hope surged in my heart.

But before I could call for help, I was knocked unconscious.

When I woke again, I was lying on a soft hotel bed.

Beside the bed, a strange-scented candle was burning, making my whole body burn with an unsettling heat.