THREE: BUYING HER BACK

Jeremy's POV

"How was your flight, Sir?" Timothy asks. He's the 33-year-old sharp-witted coordinator of the auction house. Everyone's secrets are safe with Tim; it's why he's the one we all entrust such a delicate job to.

"Oh, it was fine, Tim", I say as I hand him my coat. I don't like being in Singapore longer than I have to, so I'm hoping tonight's auction doesn't take longer than necessary.

"And America, Sir? How was it?"

"It's still as noisy as ever. You know, every time I go there, it's like they've invented newer ways to make more noise. I hate it and wish I could do something about it," I respond with a loud scoff.

"Hmm, my apologies for that, Sir". It is typical of Timothy to apologize for the wrongs of an entire country.

"Have we started?"

"Oh, no. But now that you're here, we can".

"And the girls?" I ask as we walk into the auction room.

"You can see them right behind the show glass, Sir. I ensured they were well taken care of since their flight landed hours ago." He leads me to my reserved seat while we talk. From there, I can get a bird's-eye view of the show glass.

I respond somberly to the greetings of other Mafia leaders present. I haven't been happy since she disappeared, and if not for old addictions, I won't be here. What's the point of buying another woman when I just lost the one who mattered most?

As I sit, the rest of the lights come on, illuminating the room better.

I sweep my glance across the girls behind the show-glass. They look all the same, and my interest dips even further.

Until…

My heart skips a few beats, and shivers run down my spine.

No f*ck*ng way.

"Timothy, you're certain all these girls were from the flight from Michigan? No additions were made from anywhere?" I ask quietly.

"Yes, Sir. Absolutely. Any problem?"

"Not at all. Carry on", I respond, waving him off.

Suddenly, my mood improves, and I'm giddy with excitement. I peer closely again at the girls' lineup.

There's no mistaking it. It's truly her.

I cannot believe I finally found her again. Her beauty overwhelms the senses, even from the show glass. Her skin still looks like it’s dipped in shiny, expensive honey.

It's been only a few weeks since she went missing, but it feels like a thousand years of my life.

Everyone believed she was dead until even I started to believe it, too. I was already even making plans to find out if her going missing was the work of a rival Mafia.

How else could I explain that she went missing from my heavily guarded mansion in Italy? I guess I'll find out soon enough because I don't intend to let anyone outbid me tonight.

The Mafia auctions are the most exclusive events, or parties, if you can call it that. Only Italian Mafia heads and their assistants are allowed into the venue. Even at that, the assistants are not allowed to enter the auction room.

The auctions have been a long-standing tradition.

Originally, it was started by my great-grandfather as a way for Italian Mafias to enjoy the spoils of war and unite against the rest of the Mafias, especially in America and Russia. Then, it developed into a nasty addiction, one that I am not proud of but mostly enjoy nonetheless.

Whenever any Italian Mafia runs a raid anywhere in the world, the women from the raid are shipped or flown to this auction house in Singapore. I prefer to fly my women. Traveling by sea makes them too seasick and bland for my liking.

It feels like just yesterday that I purchased her after the raid at that same club in Michigan. My instinct makes me wonder why she would return to the club the same night she knows it'll be raided. She spent about a year with me before her escape, so surely she knows our routine.

The only reason I can think of is because she wanted to be found. She finally came to her senses and realized that life with me by her side would be the best possible life for her.

I smile contentedly and lean back in my seat. I wait patiently for the other thirty-one Mafia heads to make their bids. Thirteen girls are on auction tonight, but they all have eyes for her, too.

I smile again. They can all try. But no one will get Serena Cee out of my hands again. She's mine, and that's final.

Okay, I think they've all made their bids. I can sense the poignant silence in the room. I can feel how my silence troubles them all. I run the biggest Mafia in Italy and nearly the world, so I'm naturally the apex predator. What's mine is mine, and I know many of them remember I bought her for $4M last year, the highest bid ever recorded in the auction house's history.

I still keep my cool. Let them stew and wonder what I'd do next. Let the girls in the show-glass wonder which of them would be bought tonight and for how much. Some have their heads bent, and I can hear their tiny whimpers.

But not her. She's looking straight ahead, like the confident, stunning Gazelle she is. She's not afraid because she has been here before.

The coordinator looks in my direction and asks, "Sir Jeremy, we seem to be at an impasse. The highest bid for tonight is $6.81M for girl 11, the honey-skinned girl in yellow. Yes, the one on your left." He pauses for effect and then clears his throat. Perhaps you'd like to make your bid now, Sir?"

Yes, Timothy, perhaps I would. I smile and signal for him to come closer.

No, I don't shout my bids like an untamed animal. I buy my women, like any gentleman should— quietly.

Timothy is wide-eyed after I whisper in his ears. I grin to myself and begin standing.

"Well, gentlemen, Sir Jeremy Cali has just placed an astonishing bid for the bronze-skinned girl on yellow. $9M."

A murmur erupts in the room. I've just made history again.

"$9M going 1, going 2, going 3. $9M, gone!"

I'm standing fully now. They all rush to congratulate me, but I have my eyes on my prize.

My goodness, she looks even more delicious than ever. Normally, the night's auction winner waits outside for the girl or girls to be brought to him.

But I can't wait. I walk straight to the show glass and lead her out with my hands on her waist. She gasped when I held her, perhaps out of surprise.

Anyway, they all make space in the middle for us to walk out. She's just a little inches above my shoulder length, so we look like a picture-perfect couple.

Her steps are still as elegant as I remember, despite the ordeal she just went through. Had I known she was among the girls we abducted from the club, I'd have treated her like who she is— my diamond, my Gazelle.

We are outside the auction house now. My men have swung into positions, and the car is ready to move—mine is the black Corvette. We'll head to the airport, where my private jet will be waiting to take us back to Italy.

My men notice that I look happier than I have been for weeks. Why won't I be? I see how they gawk at her, surprised at the turn of events.

Well, now my Mama will understand that this is a sign she and I are meant to be.

I swing to the other side to open the car door for her.

"Serena?" I call before she enters.

"Yes". Her voice makes my heart skip.

"We've got to stop meeting like this", I say. She chuckles.

"Yes, we do".

"I apologize for all that. I have a lot to ask you, and I need answers, but first, let's go home. Or would you like to stop at the nearest Versace store so we can get you changed?"

"Let's just go home", she smiles.

I nod and signal to my men to get moving.

Just before we arrive at the airport, I turn and whisper in her ear, "You're mine, Serena. My Gazelle, my diamond. Don't you ever forget that again."

She gasps like she's afraid.

Good. I do have questions, and I'm expecting proper answers. But first, let’s get home.