Page 26 of Auctioned Innocence
Maisie stands quickly.
“That’s my signal. Someone will come for you at ten.” She hesitates at the door. “Sofia? The ones who fight…they suffer more. Just…remember that.”
The door closes behind her with a heavy click.
I hear the electronic lock engage—a soft, expensive sound.
No cheap deadbolts here.
Everything about this place speaks of money, of power, of connections that run deep.
I force myself to eat mechanically, mind racing.
The food is excellent—another message about what cooperation earns in this place.
But my appetite is nonexistent as I process what I’ve learned.
Two days until the auction. Marco and Dante will be looking for me.
I know they will.
Marco never stops once he sets his mind to something, and Dante—I push the thought of him away.
I can’t afford the distraction, the complicated emotions his face brings to mind.
Not now.
But they don’t know about this place.
Don’t know about Madame Rouge and her files.
Don’t know about the other girls.
I think about Jessica, crying for a father who probably doesn’t yet know she’s missing.
About Natalie, silenced by carefully chosen words. About Ava, bruised for daring to run.
About Zoe, denied medication she needs.
About Kira, watching and waiting, just like me.
About Maisie, delivering breakfasts and coded warnings.
The camera whirrs as it tracks my movement to the bathroom.
I notice it adjusts smoothly.
Remotely controlled, not automated.
Someone is actively watching me.
I file that away—another piece of the puzzle.
Turning on the shower, I let the water run hot enough to steam the air.
Under the noise coverage, I whisper to myself, “I’m getting us all out of here.”
I just have to figure out how.
