Page 144 of Wicked Savage

“Good. We’re all set.”

The room suddenly feels too cold, like the walls are pressing in. A wave of anxiety climbs up my limbs, tightening around my shoulders.

What am I doing? What if this only makes things worse?

No. I’m not backing down. I refuse to marry a man who never wanted me.

“It’s time.” Tiffany interrupts my thoughts.

I nod, hands clammy, heels unsteady beneath me. “What happens after the winner’s announced?”

“Didn’t you read the contract?” She tsks. “You’ll go home with the winner, marry him, and the boss requires a copy of the marriage certificate.”

Oh, crap.

Anxiety sinks deep in my stomach.

“Right.” I fight the fear clawing at me.

“We need to go now.” She leads me toward the door. “It’s time.”

“Alright.” My voice falters, choking on the word.

I step out of the room, tears threatening behind my eyes. Once, I wondered what it would be like to be his wife. To be loved by him. But those dreams died when he walked away.

Every step through the foyer leaves me shivering, goose bumps rising on my bare arms.

You can do this. It’ll be quick.

As we step outside, all eyes turn toward me. The aisle is lined with spectators, and I feel the urge to run. When Tiffany feels my hesitation, she tightens her grip on my elbow.

“Keep walking,” she whispers.

Is Konstantin here? Will he realize it’s me? He’s going to be furious.

At the front, a man in a black suit and demon mask takes the microphone. “Please welcome our first bride, Dina. She’s twenty-three, speaks multiple languages, holds a business degree, and enjoys reading. Bidding starts at five hundred thousand.”

“Five hundred thousand,” a man calls.

Here we go.

The numbers climb higher, and I don’t even glance at the people bidding.

“Three million. Do I have three million?”

“Three million,” someone calls.

Can this be over already?

“Three million. Do I have four million?”

I glance at a man in a tailored gray suit, his arm around a woman.

My stomach churns. I can’t do this. Every part of me screams to run.

“Three million going once, going twice…”

I shut my eyes, an ache in my chest. In this moment, I’d do anything to feel his arms around me again. To hear him tell me how much he wants me.

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