It’s six in the freaking morning when someone starts pounding on our door like the building's on fire. The whole frame shakes, jolting us awake in an instant. Rose jumps up in her deep red lingerie, her short black hair a wild mess. We both freeze, eyes locked on the door. The banging stops—but only for a breath—before three more heavy knocks thunder through the air. I storm to the door with fury already burning behind my eyes. It’s a guard. One I recognize—he’s walked me to the infirmary more times than I can count. But today, his expression is grim, unsmiling. “You girls need to leave,” he says flatly. “You’re no longer students here.” I blink. My brain stalls. “Excuse me?” I say, my voice cracking with disbelief as I try to hide my half-dressed body behind the door. “You’ve both been bought, Dani. Pack your things. Your husbands are waiting for you.” My what? “By who?” Rose demands from behind me, her voice tight and high. “Dunno. Not my job to know.” He glances down the h
Dani is going to be fuming at me. My exam went... alright, I guess. I was too damn distracted to focus properly. My brain's been chaos ever since talking to Robert. I can only hope I did enough to make it into Dominion. And now, somehow, I’ve ended up here—of all fucking places—a goddamn brothel. Surrounded by half-naked and fully-naked women, prowling around like they own the place, sliding their hands down men's chests, whispering filth, offering their bodies like candy. They’re good at it. Too good. But they didn’t train under Ms. Lovelace, so they’re still amateurs compared to our girls. I don’t want to be here. I want to be in bed with Danika Addison. She’s everywhere. In my thoughts, my bloodstream, the marrow of my bones. She’s seared into my skin like a goddamn brand. I’m so fucking in love with her it guts me. She’s all I think about. Every second. Every hour. Her laugh, her glare, her voice when she moans my name. Her strength. Her fury. The way she looks at me like I
I glance down, locking eyes with several of the men in the crowd, feeling their gaze burn into me. Slowly, deliberately, I turn, giving them a full view of my ass. A murmur ripples through the group—whispers, low chuckles, and the unmistakable sound of admiration. The fury inside me intensifies, hot and wild, like a fire that needs an escape. Their eyes follow me hungrily, pupils dilated with desire. They sip their expensive drinks, their gazes leisurely trailing over my body as if I'm an object on display. I feel the weight of their eyes on me, and a cold shiver runs down my spine. I walk off without saying a word, biting down hard on my tongue as I make my way back to the group of girls. We gather together, a herd of women, all of us frozen, unsure of what's to come. Fear and uncertainty hang heavy in the air. We’re like cattle, waiting to be sold off to the highest bidder. "Men," Mr. Miller calls out, his voice booming with false cheer. "The girls will now retire for the night.
“What a successful evening it has been,” Mr. Miller’s voice rings out, the tone of his words laced with satisfaction. Low murmurs of approval ripple through the crowd of men, their voices thick with anticipation. “I trust you've all had ample time to meet our prized girls,” he continues, his gaze sweeping over us. “A line of successful wives, surely to make you very happy.” A wave of unease crashes over me. Their hungry eyes flicker over us like we’re nothing more than objects on display. The air feels thick, charged—like a ticking time bomb ready to explode. "We’ll give you one final look at them before the bidding begins." A shudder races down my spine as the men shift their attention toward us. Their eyes lock onto our bodies with a mix of predatory desire and cold calculation. Hormones hang heavy in the air, thick as smoke. It’s as if we’re on display at some twisted prom, but the music is replaced with their insatiable gazes. “Girls,” the headmaster calls out, his voice rin
"Jason," Mr. Miller greets smoothly, patting him on the shoulder with practiced charm. "I see you’ve already been acquainted with Danika. She’s one of the most desired girls this year." Jason nods, his grin stretching wider as his eyes flicker to me. "I can see why. You've curated a good list this year—it's definitely improving. How’s Henry?" Mr. Miller laughs, the sound hollow and clipped. "My boy’s doing well. Top of his class again this year. He’s heading off to Velmorian Dominion University next year." My heart drops. No. No. That can't be right. Henry will be at the same school as Aiden? Jason hums approvingly. "Same here. Kieran just turned thirty yesterday. Took off with his new jet to party it up on some private island." He's got a son who's older than me? Of course he does. Because why wouldn’t that be the case? Mr. Miller chuckles with forced delight, nodding as though he’s genuinely enjoying the conversation. “We’ll catch up later. I need to make the rounds tonight.
He steps closer. "Don’t count on your dom," he warns, his voice like gravel coated in venom. "If you make things difficult tonight, you will be the reason for his downfall. One misstep, Danika—and your precious dom pays the price. So will his dear parents." I meet his eyes—cold, calculating, soulless—and let mine reflect the same hatred. "I hear his mother loves her dear animals," he sneers, every word laced with mockery. "It would be a shame if someone were to visit them in the dead of night... leave nothing but silence and blood behind." "Don't you dare," I snap, my voice sharp and reckless. Fuck. I can’t control myself. He knows it. He’s playing me like a violin, and I’m stringing out every note he wants. My fury is confirmation. My love is his leverage. "Just one misstep, Dani." He drags out my nickname like it's intimate—like we share something other than contempt. "That’s all it takes. One wrong look. One unscripted word. One refusal to smile. Just one." He steps closer a