Page 10 of Sold to the Silver Foxes

Out of nowhere, a wave of applause rises from beyond the curtain. A man’s voice resonates across the backstage area. “Our first participant is…Celine.”

A slender, nervous girl near the front flinches at the sound of her name. One of the staff members gently guides her onto the stage. My heart clenches in sympathy.

The rest of us shuffle closer, trying to watch from the wings without being seen. I manage a glimpse of a grand ballroom filled with masked figures in tuxedos and elegant dresses. A spotlight shines on Celine as she steps to the center, face pale under the bright glare.

The auctioneer’s voice carries back to us. “Shall we start the bidding at ten thousand dollars?”

My jaw nearly drops.Ten thousand is anopeningbid?

The crowd rustles, then someone calls out a bid. A woman. I hadn’t considered whether a woman would bid on me, but Pietro said I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do. The truth is, I’m not sure. A woman for my first time doesn’t sound so bad. She’d probably be gentler than a man, right?

The number climbs. Fifteen, twenty, thirty thousand. The higher it goes, the more the tension in my stomach morphs into a strange mix of relief and determination. I need that kind of money. Possibly way more. And if these people are truly prepared to drop tens of thousands—maybe hundreds of thousands—on a single night or a short-term arrangement…I can’t let my fear sabotage this. Erin’s life depends on it.

That was another thing Pietro told us. We could do one night or a whole month. The people who do a whole month make a lot more money—obviously—but the idea of being away from my real life for a month feels monumental. When he told me those virgins usually make upwards of five years’ salary or more, I signed up for that without a second thought.

Behind me, a girl curses softly in disbelief as the final bid for Celine hits an eye-watering figure. Celine stammers a “thank you,” guided offstage by the staff. She vanishes into a side corridor, presumably to finalize paperwork or something. I can hardly blame her for looking so awestruck.

It was one thing to hear about the money. It’s another to know it’s for real.

Pietro’s calm presence reappears among us. He gestures for the next person, a young man this time. He steps forward, shoulders trembling. The auctioneer repeats the process, though I hear fewer bids for him initially. Then someone calls out a higher number, and the pace picks up. This is insane—a bizarre marketplace hidden behind the veneer of masked civility.

Participant after participant goes out. Some do well, some exceptionally well. There’s applause, an occasional whoop from the crowd. My nerves remain taut, but I cling to the knowledge that the payoff could be huge. My entire reason for being here is to secure that money for Erin’s surgery.

I can’t back out.I won’t.

Through the curtains, I catch a glimpse of someone near the front—tall, broad-shouldered, wearing a black half-mask. There’s something arresting about his posture, but I can’t tell if he’s bidding. Then, further back, another masked figure liftsa phone. A hush ripples through the crowd as the auctioneer announces a new, significantly higher offer. My cheeks flush hot.

Despite the roiling fear, I feel a strange spark of power. If these individuals are willing to pay so much, it means Iamworth something beyond my day-to-day drudgery. I know that’s twisted, but in this moment, I’ll take any glimmer of strength I can get.

Anxiety and hope wage war inside me, but I square my shoulders. My entire world is about to change. But at least, for the first time, it feels like change for the better.

I take a deep breath, letting the crisp backstage air fill my lungs. They might be buying my virginity, but I am taking them for a ride.

6

DANTE

The auction is so longthat there’s an intermission. Perfect timing. I’m not sure what’s more thrilling right now—the buzz of adrenaline in my veins as we stand outside The Armory’s grand auction hall, or the look on Nico’s face when I drop my latest bombshell. Both are fairly entertaining, though I’d say Nico’s reaction is edging into first place.

“You didwhatexactly?” Nico demands, crossing his arms like an elementary school teacher scolding a delinquent.

I flash him my most charming grin. “Relax, man. It’s not that big a deal. I signed us up for the month-long engagement package, that’s all.”

“That’sall? I barely agreed to show up tonight, let alone commit to some stranger for a whole month.”

Sal stands slightly behind Nico, arms folded over his chest, expression stoic as ever. He hasn’t said a word since I mentioned the extended engagement portion, which is typical Sal. He processes things quietly. Meanwhile, Nico’s giving me the full-lipped frown, a look I’m intimately familiar with. He used togive me that look when I’d come home with bruises from BASE jumping off a radio tower.

I’m undeterred. “Look, we all know the holiday season is a minefield,” I say, ticking off reasons on my fingers. “Family obligations, business parties, society galas, random black-tie functions for charity that we can’t weasel out of. Don’t you think it would be…refreshing to have a single date with us the whole time? One who doesn’t come with the usual drama or the gossip tabloids sniffing around?”

Nico rolls his eyes. “We can hire a professional escort for that.”

“Sure,” I concede, “but this is more…exclusive. Discreet.Interesting.” My grin widens. “Come on, you’re telling me you’d rather show up alone than bring a beautiful woman on your arm for every boring function? This is the perfect solution.”

Nico’s lips form a thin line. “You’re out of your mind, Dante.”

Sal clears his throat. “He’s got a point, though,” he finally says, voice as steady as granite. “Better to be accompanied by someone outside our usual circles. If only to avoid the typical…entanglements.”

“Thank you, Sal,” I say, giving him a small bow. “At least one of you sees the big picture.”

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