BEFORE

The cold of the marble bit into the soles of my feet. My feet were rooted to the spot. I couldn't move, couldn't speak.

Goosebumps started to form on my exposed skin under the cool air of the AC.

A shocked gasp escaped my lips as Apollo lifted me in his arms. His warmth instantly seeped into my trembling form as he started carrying me up a spiraling staircase.

I was so close to crying. So close to screaming. But neither of those things would help me now. No matter what I did, my brother had already sold me to them.

A cold shiver ran down my spine when I caught Atlas and Ares’s reflection in the glass beside us. They were watching me like I was a prey, and they were the hunters.

Heat pooled low in my belly, and I squeezed my legs together, hoping the excitement between my thighs would disappear, but it was to no avail.

A knowing smirk curved the corner of Atlas's mouth, and my cheeks flushed red.

Apollo finally stopped in front of a door. He gently set me on the ground, his hands holding a firm grip on my arms. "The bathroom," he said, his voice a low rasp. "You have fifteen minutes.

"Be good," Ares murmured, sending a smirk in my direction.

I stumbled into a large bathroom. The door clicked shut behind me, and a shiver ran down my spine.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My arms were still tightly stretched across my chest.

I paused when I spotted the mark Ares left on my neck. My hand flew up to the sensitive skin, and before I could stop myself, I was trying to scrub it off.

But it only turned redder. I hissed out in frustration before letting my hands fall to my sides.

I'm going to kill Kian as soon as I make it out of here. He has to pay for selling me to the Graves triplets and for trading me to settle the neighborhood's debt.

And why would they accept my brother's offer? We were friends before all this. Before my father died, before they moved to another state, before we grew up.

But that was before. Now they've crossed me. The boys I used to adore as a little girl have become my arch enemies.

I ran a frustrated hand through my hair before stepping into the shower. I was surprised to find all the brands I used during my shower routine ready and waiting for me.

I took a quick shower, and once I was done, I wrapped a crisp white towel around my body. I stepped out of the shower and quickly blow-dried my hair.

I needed to find my way out of here while I was still isolated from the men waiting for me downstairs. There were no windows, so I needed to find a weapon.

My hands and feet moved of their own accord. Within seconds, I was searching for a weapon. I needed something to take at least one of them down.

My hands froze on a heavy perfume bottle. I slowly ran my fingertips over the sharp edges of the bottle.

I set it down on the countertop before curiously staring at an emerald dress hanging on a nearby rack. No underwear.

I sighed before grabbing the dress from the rack. I quickly slid the silk on, and it hugged my body like a glove.

I tried to reach the strings at the back of the dress, but no matter what I did, I couldn't get a good grip on them.

I jumped before landing on my tiptoes, and my fingers caught the strings. I tied them to the best of my abilities and let out a small breath of relief.

I grabbed the perfume bottle off the countertop before pulling on the door handle.

The door was still locked. My heart hammered against my ribs at the realization. Were they still waiting for me outside the door?

I hesitantly raised my arm before knocking on the door. I waited for a good two minutes until I heard movement coming from the other side of the door.

The door was pulled open by Ares, and I quickly hid the perfume bottle behind my back. I confidently stepped into the dark corridor, and he narrowed his eyes at me in suspicion.

Ares came up from behind me, his chest gently pressed against my back. He slowly traced the hem of the dress, his fingers brushing against my upper thighs, where the dress stopped.

"You missed a tie," his voice cut through the silence. His hands, rough and calloused, settled on my bare shoulders, his fingers brushed over my tailbone, so gently it made me flinch.

He pulled the knot I managed to make loose. "Arms out," he commanded, his breath hot against my ear.

When I oveyed, he gathered the silk. He pulled the new ties tight until the fabric clung to my ribcage. He only stopped once my backside was arched against him.

He loosened the ties just enough for me to breathe before forming a new knot. "Better," he murmured, his lips now grazing the very mark he made.

His palm landed flat on my stomach as he pulled me back against him. I felt the hard ridge of his erection pressing against the thin silk covering my backside.

Heat pooled low in my belly.

"You look like ten million dollars," he whispered. "All polished and packaged. Ready for appraisal."

His other hand came up, cupping my breast through the silk. His thumb brushed over my nipple, and it hardened instantly, betraying me.

My hand clenched around the perfume bottle. I spun around before aiming for his head. His hand clenched around my wrist, stopping me just in time, before the bottle could make contact with his skin.

A low chuckle vibrated through his chest as he pulled the bottle out of my fist. "How predictable," he rasped, while slowly raking his eyes down my body.

Instead of getting mad, he wrapped his hand around my chin. "The neighborhood's elite are downstairs. They want to see what Kian traded for his life."

"What?" I managed to utter as a deep frown settled between my brows.

He smiled before leading me to the door. "Tonight, you aren't just a guest, Livia. You're the main course."