Sold Me Like Goods—Now He's Paying the Price

I slumped in the backseat of the SUV, the drug still fogging my system. I couldn't even lift a finger; I could only force myself to stay barely conscious.

In the front, Finn Shore and his parents spoke in low voices. They thought I couldn't hear them.

I'd been dating Finn since college. After three years together, our relationship was solid and stable. So, when he said he wanted to bring me home for Christmas to meet his parents, I took it seriously and prepared for it.

I'd bought a new cashmere coat, got my hair redone, and picked out two bottles of good wine and a bunch of holiday gifts. I wanted his family to like me, but all I got in return was a spiked drink.

"Rosaline, don't blame me for this." Finn's voice seeped through the haze, broken and uneven. "I really have no way out of this. I owe 500 thousand dollars. They said that if I don't pay up, they'll go to the police. I'll go to jail."

I wanted to curse him out, but my tongue wouldn't move. All that came out was a faint, garbled breath.

"Don't be too upset by this," he continued, though he was comforting himself more than me. "You'd be lucky to have Mr. Olson interested in you. With him, you'll be living the high life. That's way better than sticking with me, right?"

Screw him.

The car sped through the night, the scenery flashing by outside the window. I forced my eyes open, trying to figure out where we were. We finally stopped in front of a black wrought-iron gate I knew all too well. A family crest gleamed on it.

Seriously? The shock of seeing that sobered me a little. The "Mr. Olson" Finn had been talking about lived here?

The car door opened. Finn and his mother, Connie Beech, each took one of my arms. They basically dragged me out of the car and across the front yard. My cashmere coat was half off my shoulder, and at some point, I'd lost one of my high heels.

Two tall, broad-shouldered men in black suits stood at the door, their faces expressionless.

"Sir, we really couldn't get the money together," Finn's father, Peter Shore, said. He bowed slightly, his tone fawning. "So… we thought of another solution. We brought Mr. Olson a Christmas present."

One of the bodyguards lifted a flashlight and shone it in my face. The light stabbed at my eyes, making me squint.

"Her?" His voice didn't hold a shred of emotion.

"Yes, yes. She's my son's girlfriend," Connie said. She quickly grabbed my chin so the bodyguard could see me better. "Look closely—doesn't she look just like the woman Mr. Olson hasn't been able to get over? She learned how to dance in the past, is in great shape, and is obedient. She'll definitely satisfy Mr. Olson."

My stomach lurched.

The bodyguard was quiet for a few seconds before jerking his chin at his partner. "Let them know."

Then, he turned back to us and said coldly, "I don't decide what happens. Bring her in first."

I was dragged into the first-floor sitting room. My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the cold marble floor.

"Mr. Olson is with a guest." The bodyguard tossed the line over his shoulder before closing the door behind him.

The moment the door shut, Finn hurried over and crouched in front of me, his face twisted with a desperation and manipulation I'd never seen before.

"Rosaline, help me this once." He clutched my shoulders, his voice dropping to a frantic whisper. "When he comes in, just say you're willing. I swear I won't scorn you after this, and I promise I'll treat you well."

I stared at him, feeling like my throat was clogged with something I couldn't swallow.

"Don't play dumb with us!" Connie hissed and leaned in close. Her nails dug into my arm. "If we go down, you're not getting away, either! Finn is your boyfriend. It's only right that you sacrifice yourself for him!"