Page 58 of Stalk Me

"Is that all that matters?" I ask quietly. "His pleasure?"

She meets my eyes in the mirror, something like pity flashing across her features before disappearing behind her mask. "Tonight matters, Luna. More than you know. People are coming from very far away to meet you. Important people. Powerful people."

"People who want to use me," I translate. "Like you and Father have always used me."

Her hand connects with my cheek before I see it coming—not hard enough to mark, but sharp enough to sting. "Enough. You will behave tonight. You will be charming and gracious and everything we've raised you to be." She leans closer, her voice dropping. "Because if you don't, it won't be you who suffers the consequences. It will be the Stone boy."

Fear grips my heart. "You can't hurt him. His father?—"

"His father is a politician who can be replaced," she cuts me off. "Don't test us on this, Luna. You know what happens to people who interfere with our plans."

She straightens, adjusting her designer wrap. "The gathering begins in thirty minutes. Griffiths will escort you downstairs." With that, she glides out, leaving me alone with the threat still hanging in the air.

True to her word, Griffiths appears exactly half an hour later, resplendent in a tuxedo that probably costs more than most cars. His smile is all predatory anticipation as he offers his arm.

"Shall we? Your father is quite eager for the evening to begin."

I take his arm, having no real choice. As we descend the grand staircase, I scan the foyer below for any sign of Erik. The first guests have already arrived—men and women in evening wear, their wealth evident in every detail from their jewelry to their posture.

"Where is Erik?" I ask Griffiths as we reach the bottom of the stairs.

"Patience." His hand slides to the small of my back, the touch making my skin crawl. "He'll join the party when it's time. Your father has a specific schedule for tonight's entertainment."

The word 'entertainment' sends ice through my veins. I know exactly what that means in these circles.

My father materializes from the crowd, impeccable in his bespoke suit. His smile doesn't reach his eyes as he kisses my cheek. "Luna. You look beautiful. Just like your mother at your age."

The comparison, meant as a compliment, makes me want to vomit. "Where is Erik?" I ask again, not bothering with pleasantries.

"All in good time." He takes my elbow, steering me toward a group of distinguished-looking men. "First, there are some people I'd like you to meet. Very important business associates who have traveled a long way to be here tonight."

As he guides me through the growing crowd, I search for any sign of Erik, any potential allies, or escape routes. The main doors are guarded by men whose bulging jackets poorly disguise their weapons. Every window I pass is secured with state-of-the-art locks. The staff all wear the same blank expressions, their eyes carefully averted from whatever horrors they witness in this house.

We're trapped.

By seven thirty, the mansion is filled with the elite—politicians, financiers, judges, celebrities. People with power, influence, and appetites that can only be satisfied in places like this are far from public scrutiny. I play my part, smiling and nodding at appropriate intervals, letting my father parade me like a prize racehorse.

And then I see him—Erik, standing by the grand fireplace with my mother and a man I don't recognize. They've dressed him in a tailored suit that fits him perfectly, as if it was made specifically for this occasion. He looks handsome and dangerous, his eyes scanning the room until they lock with mine.

I start toward him immediately, only to be held back by my father's grip on my arm. "Not yet, Luna. Tonight is choreographed very precisely. You'll have your reunion with Mr. Stone at the appropriate moment."

"What are you planning?" I demand, keeping my voice low despite my rising panic. "What is all this for?"

My father's smile is empty of everything but calculation. "This, my dear, is your future. Tonight, you take your rightful place in our organization." He gestures expansively to the gathered elite. "These people represent power—real power. The kind that shapes nations. And you, Luna, are about to become a very important asset in our collective portfolio."

Understanding dawns with sickening clarity. This isn't just another party. This is an auction. And I’m not the only merchandise. They’ve added Erik to the list.

As if confirming my realization, a soft chime sounds, and the crowd begins to move toward the grand salon at the back of the house. My father's grip on my arm tightens as he guides me forward. Across the room, I see my mother doing the same with Erik, whose face has gone pale with understanding.

Our eyes meet once more across the sea of wealth and privilege. In his gaze, I see the same determination that burns in my chest. But how long until they extinguish the fire, I can’t say. All I know is that dread fills every fiber of my being when Griffiths brings in the tray of my usual party dose of pills.

The Final Party

“Ladies and gentlemen,” my father’s voice carries across the now-hushed room. “Welcome to our most exclusive gathering of the year.”

Glasses clink as servers circulate with champagne that costs more than most people’s monthly rent. The crowd murmurs appreciatively—judges, politicians, CEOs all united by their wealth, power, and the sick appetites that bring them to events like this.

“Tonight,” my father continues, “we celebrate new alliances and… unique opportunities.”

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