Chapter two

Dante's POV

I had just taken another heavy dose of medication that had affected my body.

I sat in my office, elbows on the cold desk, trying to ignore the sharp ache burning through the left side of my chest.

The pain–it comes and goes. It got unbearable day by day but I never let it affect me.

My doctor calls my condition “unstable,” but I know that’s his polite way of saying you might drop dead any minute if you push too hard.

As if I’ve ever lived any other way.

“Boss,” Luca’s voice breaks through my thoughts. My right-hand man stood at the door, sharp-eyed, jaw locked. “They’re ready for you downstairs.”

“Which they?” I asked without looking at him.

“The Sandros famiglia,” he said. “They came to renegotiate territory. They also demanded that you attend tonight’s auction.”

I looked up at him slowly.

“Demanded?” My voice was low and quiet. I scoffed. “Or what?”

“They insist you show your face… or they’ll assume you’re getting weak.” He avoided meeting my eyes. “There’s been… talk.”

Of course there has. Men could sense weakness like blood in the water. And with my heart trying to kill me every few weeks, I can’t afford to skip public appearances not when my syndicate depends on me.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Fine. I’ll go. Handle the Sandros, tell them I'm not in the mood to…negociate right now.”

Luca nodded once and as he was about to step out, the pain in my chest increased again–very sharp this time.

I gripped the desk almost falling off my chair.

Luca rushed to my side and held me upright. “Boss, are you sure you're strong enough to go to the auction. Your doctor said you're supposed to rest,” he told me

“Tell my doctor to go to hell.” I said in a deadly tone.

Rest? That means dying faster. Rest means surrender to your enemies.

I’d rather bleed than be seen as weak.

******

It was evening, and Luca and I were in the car, ready to go.

Luca sat to my right, scrolling through something on his tablet. I closed my eyes, leaning back as another dull ache wrapped around my ribs.

“Do you want your medication now?” he asked without looking up.

“No.” I was that stubborn.

“Dante.” He finally lifted his eyes. “You can feel that your pulse is off. You’re sweating.”

I wiped my brow with my thumb. “I said no.”

He didn't argue anymore, but I saw his jaw tighten.

Luca was one of the few who knew about my condition. He was the one who always carried me out of meeting rooms when my body collapsed. He has held pressure to my chest during my frequent heart attacks. He has lied, covered, destroyed evidence–everything to ensure no outsider found out.

He was truly more than a right-hand.

Luca sighed, and returned looking at his tablet. “The auction list tonight is… interesting. Think you'll make any purchases?”

“I’m not purchasing anyone.” I said plainly.

“ You always say that, but today I doubt that, Boss.” he muttered

I didn't answer him.

The car pulled into a private garage next to the auction hall. Men in black suits filled the place.

We headed straight to the auction room with no hesitation.

“He’s here, Dante Caruso.” was the first thing I heard.

“Don’t look him in the eye.” Someone said again.

Isn't it funny that people still looked at me based on my past life. Yes I was brutal in my 20s but ever since I got diagnosed, I calmed down.

We got to our seats and were greeted by the host.

Human auctions was truly a disgusting business and I participated only because it kept my enemies close.

Luca sat next to me as the bidding began.

The host announced girls after girls. Men waved paddles, buying them like furniture.

I didnt look at any of the girls. They looked tacky and unfed.

Until the next lot came in and Luca tapped me.

I looked up and I could swear my breath caught in my throat.

She was pushed into the spotlight, water dripping from her long dark hair, and she was barely clothed.

I watched how she wrapped her hands around herself.

My eyes roamed round her body shamelessly. I couldn't even stop myself.

I saw how she tried not to cry. The way she bit her bottom lip, the way she blinked fast.

Something about that…I couldn't put my hands on what I felt at the moment.

She was breathtaking even in such distress.

The host whistled, staring at her. “Gentlemen, this one is fresh. She’s nineteen and untouched. Her reason for being here is house debt.”

The crowd leaned forward hungrily.

My jaw tightened. “These men have no morals,” I said to Luca, angrily.

He looked at me, “Quite ironic coming from you, boss.”

“Opening bid,” the host called out. “The bidding started at one hundred twenty thousand.

“One-fifty!”

“Two hundred.”

“Two-fifty!”

“Three hundred!”

“Three twenty.”

I folded my arms, unimpressed. I wanted to do something but I just watched instead.

“Four hundred!” someone shouted.

The host grinned like he hit a jackpot or something. “We have four hundred”

“Five hundred!” I said, raising my paddle up high.

Luca looked at me, surprised. “Interesting.”

“Five-thirty!” someone said. I turned my head to the blonde man staring at me.

Too bad I loved a good competition.

“One million!” I said finally.

Immediately, the crowd went silent.

The host stumbles over his own tongue. “O-One million… Going once”

No one dared to challenge me. I'd bid triple the price if they tried.

“Going twice”

I looked at her and her eyes met mine. Those brown eyes. I felt my heart skip a beat. So I just swallowed and remained calm.

“S-Sold. Lot Twenty-Nine goes to… Mr Dante Caruso!”

---

I signed a lot of paperwork before the girl was handed over to me. I heard my two men who claimed they were the debtors murmuring behind me.

“Shame. He won’t even keep her long. He never does.”

“Maybe we can get her after he dumps her. Some leftovers”

I stopped walking.

They both froze.

Slowly, I turned around.

“Say that again.”

They both blanched.

“N-no, Boss”

I stepped closer, placing one hand on the wall beside the man’s head. My voice dropped to a whisper.

“If I ever hear you speak about her or any girl here as leftovers again, I will feed you to your own families. Am I clear?”

He nodded so fast his chain rattled.

I straightened. “Good. My business with you two is finished so, LEAVE!” I said sharply and they both walked away, leaving the girl.

My eyes landed on her and I smiled a bit. Just a little.

Luca doesn’t speak until we’re back in the car.

I watched her enter the other car I sent for.

Luca and I walked back to the car we came in.

“I don’t want her touched by anyone. And no stupid questions either.” I said to him quietly.

“Boss… I'm just shocked. Why her?”

I didn't say anything. What could I say?

That I'm fascinated by her?

I entered the car, leaned back and closed my eyes.

“What do you want done with her?”

I opened my eyes.

And the words come out before I think about them:

“I plan on making her my surrogate, Luca”

Luca stiffened. “Boss?”

“Yes.”

“But, Dante”

“My mind’s made up already, Luca. I just need to know her a bit.”