Chapter 5

I give the man a respectful nod, remembering our time working together in Russia in my late teens. He’s one of the more honorable guys of the other brotherhoods. “I’m well, thank you. How are you?”

He shrugs. “I’m as well as can be expected while attending this disgusting event,” he says, keeping his voice quiet. “I’m sure you agree with my opinions, even if you wouldn’t like to admit to it.”

I eye the man, keeping quiet on his view. I could not have said it better myself, but I can’t voice my opinion—not here. No matter who asks me. “It was good seeing you, Miron. Take care.” I turn away and walk toward the stage. My prize is waiting for me to collect her.

The most beautiful virgin I’ve ever acquired. I can’t deny that as I walk to claim her, I’m hoping she is the second one to opt to me taking her virginity. However, it’s unlikely. Six out of the seven I’ve purchased thus far opted to work in one of my households. If statistics are anything to go by, then it’s unlikely she will want to be with me.

“Andrei, are you ready to complete your transaction?” Rykov asks, popping up from nowhere.

The man is a snake. He may be part of my brotherhood, but he is one of the lowest of the low in our brigades. The day of the auction is the only time I interact with him.

“I’m ready,” I say, walking toward the stairs to the dungeon he’d led me into earlier.

He doesn’t utter another word, as he falls into step behind me, taking his rightful place. Even though he’s a cocky son of a bitch, he’s got the good sense to keep quiet around me. I’m certain he knows how much I dislike him.

The fast patter of my heart thuds in beat with my footsteps, as I make my way to my virgin. I can’t understand why she has affected me so much.

“You’ve picked a tough one, sir, none of my men have been able to break her. It’s a first,” Rykov says, speaking from behind.

I glance back at him. “I’m sure I’ll be able to change that,” I say, clenching my jaw.

He smirks at me, eyes lighting with a sick joy that makes my stomach churn.

It feels wrong uttering those words about her, but it’s what I’m expected to say. I won’t break her, but I damn well hope she wants me in the same way that I want her. I’m worried that if she doesn’t, I may not be able to let her go. Only time will tell.

THE BEAUTY I’ve purchased sits unmoving by my side in the car. She has yet to glance up from her lap, staring at her hands clasped together. It’s the way she has been taught by the men who groomed her for the auction.

I have every intention of breaking her out of these ridiculous habits. I grab her hand and squeeze, making her tense. “You need not be afraid of me.”

She tries to pull her hand away, stunning me. These virgins are typically more placid. There’s something about this fiery redhead that I can’t put my finger on. She’s different—special.

Rykov already made it clear she hadn’t been broken by his men. It makes me long for her more. A woman so strong and so beautiful, who deserves to be treated well—like a princess.

“I won’t treat you the way those men treated you.” I let my finger trace her cheek gently, pushing a stray hair away from her eyes and tucking it behind her ear.

“Why not?” she asks.

My eyes widen at the question. It’s bold considering she’s at the mercy of a man who purchased her. “I’m not the monster people believe me to be,” I say, searching her bright green eyes.

She doesn’t appear too convinced by my statement. Her eyes are as hard as emerald jewels. There’s no emotion in them, not even a whisper of fear. She is a mystery to me. An enigma wrapped in the most tempting package. There’s something so unusual about her, and I want to dig my way under the surface and find out what it is. What makes this woman tick?

“You will soon learn what kind of man I am.”

Her eyes flash with something so quickly, I can barely register it.

Yakov comes to a stop outside of my house and slides down the privacy screen. “We’re here, sir.”

I clear my throat and steal a glance at my town house. “Thank you, Yakov.” I get out of my side of the car, walking around to her side. She stares at me blankly, as I open the door for her. “Out.”

She jumps out of the car onto the pavement, and I grab her hand as a precaution. The last thing I need is an escaped virgin. She tenses the moment I touch her, as if I’ve electrocuted her with my skin. This woman is impossible to read. She doesn’t show any fear but flinches when I touch her.

I lead her into the house, shutting the front door behind us. The moment we’re inside, she pulls her hand away and hugs her arms around herself. A defensive move which is no doubt a result of the shit those assholes put her through in that rotten club.

I hate to think of her down in that basement for however many months with them. It makes me feel sick. “I’ll show you to your room,” I say, nodding my head toward the staircase.

She follows me cautiously, as I walk up the stairs and turn left to her room, which is adjoining to mine. Although, I won’t tell her that yet. First, I need to find out if she is interested in staying. I stop outside the room and glance back at her. “This will be your room.” I open the door to the lavish, large room, which has a feminine touch, since my housekeeper, Olga, decorated it. It’s a little smaller than mine, but not by much.

She doesn’t react, as she glances around the room. It’s as if she has no reaction. I can’t tell whether she likes it or dislikes it. A wall of ice is erected around her, making her more of a mystery to me by the second.

“Is this suitable?” I ask, wanting some kind of response from her.

She nods her head, meandering around the edge of the room. I watch her as she lets her finger run through the silk bedding on the four-poster bed.

The dominant side of me wants to throw her onto it and take her without her permission. A sick and twisted part of me that lives deep within, rearing its ugly head the moment I set eyes on her. She makes me crazy.

“I’ll leave you to rest for a while.” She keeps her back to me while I talk.

“I’ll be back to fetch you for a late dinner.”

She doesn’t turn around, and I don’t demand that she does. Instead, I force myself to walk out of that room, before I do something I regret.

I’ve never had trouble keeping myself in control around the virgins purchased before. Six of them never even slept with me, but the thought of never being inside the red haired beauty on the other side of the door makes me hot with rage and possession.

It’s clear she will be my greatest challenge yet for more than one reason.