Page 3 of Bought By the Ruthless Pakhan

Her red, gaping hole on display for everyone. Clenching and releasing.

The room erupted in low, guttural laughter.

My stomach turned.

Cheers and applause pounded against my eardrums. Someone behind me shoved me forward.

Next up. Me.

"Next, we have a lily from small-town California. Pure, sexy, and most importantly—"

She paused for effect.

"She's a first-timer."

"Starting bid, 50 thousand."

Cold sweat broke out on the back of my neck. My feet felt nailed to the velvet carpet.

Numbers climbed in my ears. Fifty, eighty, a hundred thousand. Each one like a hammer to my chest. I couldn't breathe.

These astronomical figures—they were pricing my body, buying me to do whatever the hell they wanted.

I bit down on my tongue and forced myself to look up. Even as the numbers kept rising, I couldn't feel happy. If this money wasn't enough to pay off Gary's debt, how many more times would I have to stand on this stage?

No! I couldn't just wait for this!

I sucked in a breath and found strength from somewhere. Stepped forward and grabbed the microphone out of the woman's hand.

"600 thousand!"

The spotlight hit my face, blinding white, but I didn't flinch. Said it again. "600 thousand!"

The room went silent for a full second. Then exploded in roaring laughter.

"Jesus Christ, God gave you a pretty face, but that doesn't mean your pussy's lined with diamonds!"

"Bitch thinks she can charge that? How many times you sell that cherry already?"

The lead woman completely panicked. No more arrogance in her eyes. She hissed under her breath, voice tight. "Are you insane? You'll ruin the entire club!"

I ignored her. Gripped the mic tight. Wouldn't back down.

Six hundred thousand was astronomical. It would never sell.

If it didn't sell, I'd have a chance to renegotiate with the creditors.

I wouldn't be a commodity. I could do this myself. I could pay back the debt.

Then—

A bid card rose slowly in the darkness below.

The woman's voice trembled with excitement, every word vibrating in her chest. "S-six hundred thousand. Sold!"

I stared, dazed. My eyes cut through the dim light to that single glow.

The man's thin lips curved slightly. His jawline sharp as a blade.