Defiant (The Clans Book 6)

by Elizabeth Knox

  In the past I’ve been to a few of these things, always different than the rest. There’s one thing they have in common, though. They attract the weirdest people in all humanity, sometimes the most demented.

  As I look down one more level, I see a small booth area where two women are sitting with tablets. A red carpet leads up to them, and it continues down to an area with tables and silk cloths over them. Men are in fitted suits walking around with champagne and appetizers. I walk down the stairwell and approach the carpet, standing behind a couple who give their name to the two women. They’re greeted professionally and then are given a paddle, and off they go down into the area where the waiters are.

  “Sir, you’re next,” a beautiful brunette urges me to come forward.

  Upon approaching the table, I give her my name, “Mr. Dalca. I’ve already given Lajos the funds for number four-thirty-nine.”

  She stops smiling immediately, making me see that this girl does have a reputation. “Ah, I see. Would you like us to fetch her for you now so you may be on your way?”

  “No, sweetheart. I’d like to stay and see the others you have to offer as well. I’d rather my prize not know about the arrangement I’ve made with your boss.”

  “Of course. Here is your paddle, and feel free to mingle until the auction starts.”

  I mutter off my thanks, grabbing my paddle, and head through a set of double doors. As I enter, I see a bar from my peripheral and head that way. I could use a good old scotch right about now. “Scotch, please,” I tell the bartender while my nerves take over me. I’m not the type of man who typically gets nervous, but this isn’t like any other day.

  I’m about to meet the woman who I’ve wanted for as long as I can remember. Someone who can give me so much more than any other can. “Here you are, Sir.” He hands me my drink, and I take a sip back, allowing the liquor to burn down the back of my throat.

  “Is it your first time?” A short blonde woman who must be in her mid-forties approaches me, giving me quite the devilish smile.

  I laugh. “Quite the contrary. I’m picking up my order.”

  “Oh, I see. Well, I’m Esmerelda. I don’t believe that we’ve met before. My husband, Alistair, and I are usually at every auction Lajos organizes. We offer a service that some new owners might be looking for.”

  They don’t have to tell me what they do, because her choice words just did. They’re slave breakers. Basically, people who make your slave as boring as the rug in your hallway. Some owners want women to be like this; obedient and to lose sight of who they are. It’s not something that I want for Presley. I want her light inside her to stay alive for many years to come. She’ll be a great wife and an even better business partner when the time comes.

  “You see, we take the most disobedient of slaves and turn them into whatever your heart desires. If you want a girl to suck your cock ten hours a day, by the time we’re done with her, she’ll be able to do it better than any other. If you want a beautiful maid that you can fuck over your couch while your wife is away, don’t fret, we’ll make sure her pussy is wetter than anyone you’ve been with before. Whatever your heart desires, we can do.” She’s trying so hard to sell me on her business, but I will make it clear that I want no part in it.

  A bell rings, signaling that the auction is starting soon. It’s my way out of this dreadful conversation, and as I walk away towards the tables, I speak to her. “I appreciate you offering your help, but I’ll let you know if I need it.”

  Chapter 8

  Presley

  I’m made all prim and proper, reminding me of what it felt like when my mother was on her pageant kick. She’d sign not only myself up but my sisters up in beauty shows from the point we were old enough to walk. I remember the rhinestones, poufy dresses and the hairspray. Good god, that hairspray.

  It’s like these ladies didn’t get the memo that less is more, but just like Texas style, bigger is better apparently. My hair is curled into tight, dainty wisps, while my makeup is as light and natural as the pink on my dress. If I had any control over my attire, I’d be in blood red. It’s my signature color.

  “We just have to put this on and you’re ready!” one of the women tells me, placing some sort of leather collar type thing around my neck. I yank my neck back, trying to figure out why it’s so damn heavy. It feels like I have a brick sitting around my neck. “Oh, darling, please don’t move. If you do, I can pull this little lever and make things really uncomfortable for you.” She shows me a certain chain dangling from the collar device. I don’t know what it does, but I really don’t think I want to know.

  The chain to my leash, if that’s what I should even call it, is some sort of metal with a leather handle. The smaller chain weaves through the bigger one and goes straight up to my collar, making me more nervous than before. “Here, you can take her out now.”

  She hands the leash off to the henchmen who’s been watching me for a majority of the day. He left for a short while to get changed into this fancy suit he has on now. He leads me out the hallway and takes me up two flights of stairs until we’re on the main deck.

  The moment we hit the steps I start hearing some sort of classical music. The mixed sounds of a piano with a violin accenting carries through the area. We walk down a hallway, and the goon opens a door, revealing some sort of grand ballroom type of thing.

  Extravagant curtains hang from high ceilings, tables are covered in a thick cloth, accenting the curtains that grace the room, while men in full suits are taking drinks to people who are sitting at the tables. Glancing around the room, I see a stage on the side to my left, and multiple women are walking around, being led by henchmen like I am. All of us look the same, but oh so different. Our makeup is impeccably done, making me wonder where they found these artists and hair stylists. We’re all in beautifully made gowns. So, eye catching that Dallas socialites would’ve shit themselves if they were in the same room with one of these girls.

  My goon walks me around in a circle, following a few paces behind another girl. We walk through the entire outside of the room. In a way, I think this is like a dog show. Where our ‘handlers’ take us around the outside of the ring for the judges to vote who’s best in show. Only, we don’t get a ribbon or a year supply of whatever dog food is being sponsored for the show. Instead, I believe I’ll keep this collar around my neck until I’m given to whomever it is that chooses to purchase me.

  A loud bell rings through the area, and I see another man walk up to Alice, take her other arm, and lead her on the stage. She’s in a beautiful, sapphire blue gown and stands in the middle with the two guards on both sides of her.

  A man comes up to a podium and speaks into a microphone, “Good evening ladies and gentlemen. It’s been a little bit, but we’re back again for one of our lovely auctions. I know we’re all eager to get started, so let’s get on with it.”

  Over the course of the next ten minutes, we stay rooted in place, watching what’s unfolding on stage. The auctioneer keeps rattling off numbers whenever paddles are lifted in the air, and I see a couple sitting in the middle of the room continually lifting their paddle up. “Two-hundred and eighty thousand. Once, twice and – ”

  “Three hundred thousand!” The woman stands up in the middle, looking straight at the auctioneer.

  “Well, it seems we have a very eager woman who’d like to purchase you.” He snickers over to Alice, looking back onto the crowd. “Going once, twice, and sold to the lovely woman in the center.”

  Alice is led off the platform and is seated down next to the woman. Another woman goes up next, she has black hair and is in a rusty orange dress. I stand in place seeing as it’s not like I’ll be going anywhere and spot a man staring right at me. I’m not sure how long his eyes have been glued to my body, but from the looks of it, he’s been ogling for a hot minute.

  Even though this man’s eyes are glued to me, I’m unable to stop staring at the girl on the stage. She acts completely different than Alice just
was. It was evident that Alice was nervous, but it’s like this woman is imagining she’s the star of a show. She’s all smiles, twirling her dress around, looking out onto the crowd like she wants this. But, why would anyone want this?

  My eyes shift back to the man who’s staring at me. He seems to be taller, even though he is sitting down in a chair. He’s wearing a fitted, navy blue suit. My guess is that it’s Armani, or maybe Tom Ford. He has the slight impression of facial hair, looking like he hasn’t shaved for a couple of days. That’s really in right now, plus facial hair makes a man go from horrid to sexy in about three seconds.

  It’s his eyes that capture my attention, though. They’re some hazel color but have a bright green tint, offsetting his chocolate brown hair.

  I feel a slight tug to my leash and turn my head to my henchmen, “This is how you need to act if you want to be in a good home. You act like that other girl, and you go to a creepy couple like them who will enjoy breaking you.”

  I arch a brow at him, wondering if he thinks I’m dumb. “I have been told that I’m special since the moment I got here. Your boss confirmed it, which makes me believe I will not go to a couple like them.” I don’t give a shit if this man wants me to act like a fake Barbie doll, it won’t be happening. I haven’t been shoved up with happy pills, and I refuse to act like I am thrilled to be here like a certain looney on stage.

  “One million dollars!” The sound of a gavel hitting wood brings my attention back to the woman, and I see she’s escorted off stage and taken to a much older man sitting in the front.

  I’m being tugged by the goon and another comes up on my opposite side. They take me up a short stairwell until I’m standing on the platform, bright lights shining down onto my face.

  “Smile!” my henchmen, who’s been with me all day, orders, but I give him a snide look instead. No one is going to order me to smile like I’m some submissive bitch.

  “Fuck you,” I hiss out to him, looking back out onto the crowd. Yet again, mysterious and handsome is looking right at me. The auctioneer hasn’t even begun spitting out numbers, and his paddle is up.

  Suddenly, I’m feeling a sharp sensation radiating through my side, and I hit the floor. Luckily my hands break my fall, and I look up to the man, seeing an old-fashioned cattle prod. Electric volts course through the two points, causing me to curse under my breath.

  The auctioneer starts to speak, “Let’s start out at two hundred and fifty thousand, shall we?”

  “Two million dollars,” is shouted above everyone else. I glance away from my goon, oddly hoping that it’s the certain man who’s been staring at me. For some reason, he doesn’t frighten me. The others in this room only freak me out, making me wonder the kind of freaky shit they’re into. This man, though, he seems normal.

  Thankfully, as I look in his direction, he’s the one standing up with his paddle high in the air. He stares determinedly at the auctioneer. “Going once, twice and sold!”

  Just like that, I’ve been sold, like a fancy chest from an estate sale. I’m nothing but an object here and knowing this is what will keep me alive and grant my freedom. Mr. Mysterious doesn’t know it yet, but he has another thing coming if he thinks I won’t get out of this.

  Chapter 9

  Stefan

  I knew I wanted her before I set my eyes on her in person because of her name. Many people might not realize how much power their names truly hold, but hers does. She’s almost as powerful as me, if not more. She’s well worth the two million dollars, but little does anyone on this ship know that they haven’t gotten a dime. I spilled a small, white lie in order to get Presley, and seeing that Lajos won’t be coming around and causing issues, they believe I’ve given him the bag with the money. The only thing that’s left to do now is to get the two of us off this ship as quickly and quietly as possible.

  A surprised expression crosses her face as the hired hand Lajos has leads her towards me. It’s not like she believes that she’s lost, but if anything, she seems determined after her quick moment of shock. Yep, I can’t help but think that this woman is every bit of what I want. She’s not the type of woman that rolls over easily, and I never want her to.

  In my life I have always searched for a woman who would counter me, who will be an amazing partner, not just in between the sheets, but in business. I’ve seen her speak publicly against her father, and I know she has a strong head on her shoulders based on her schooling and interviews. She’s the type of woman who handles herself with grace while still getting her point across. Presley Richards will become Presley Dalca very soon, and it’ll only be the beginning of the plan I have for her.

  The man brings her over and pulls out a chair for her, but I shake my finger. “No, we’re not staying,” I state clearly as I stand.

  He looks over me with confusion, and I know the expression that crosses his face. He’s trying to figure out why I want to leave already. She’s only the third girl who’s been put up. “I only came here for one today, and I have her. Now, if you’ll take the contraption off from around her neck, we’ll be on our way.”

  She stares at me the entire time the man is fiddling with the collar around her neck. I’m sure she’s trying to assess what I want. Maybe she’s wondering who I am or how she fits into this picture.

  “C’mon, Pumpkin,” I order, snapping my fingers as I start walking towards the double doors at the entrance of the room. Turning back, I make sure she’s behind me and see she’s almost right on my heels. Good, she listens. This is something I can use to my advantage.

  I’ve thought long and hard about what I’ll tell Presley and what I won’t. For so long, I debated letting her know that I orchestrated this entire thing, but I don’t want to do that. I think it’ll give her cause to hate me before she even gets to know anything about me. Yes, I hired Lajos to kidnap her and put her in this situation, only for me to purchase her in front of plenty of people, making it appear like what I’ve done isn’t actually what’s gone on. I won’t ever be able to admit this aloud, but because of my hand in it, I feel guilty for the shit she’s had to endure. At least now I can guarantee her safety and make sure no one else dares to act like certain others have.

  “We have to go up two flights of stairs to get to the heli-pad. Will you be okay in your heels?” I ask, turning back to look at her.

  The way she rolls her eyes at me and scoffs is enough to give me a hard on right now. Fuck me sideways. I’ve seen photos of her before. I’ve watched her on videos, and still nothing can compare to the unmistakable beauty that is before my eyes. It’s not just because of her good looks, but her attitude that comes with it. We’ve been face to face for less than five minutes, and I believe it’s already her most precious quality. I charge up the stairwell and can’t help but think about her outfit.

  Presley is in some pink gown with a soft, nude pink lip. It doesn’t make me think of her in the least bit. “I don’t think pink is your color,” I tell her, reaching the top of the stairs, I place my hand on the railing and look back towards her.

  “Gee, thanks, asshole.”

  “My name’s Stefan. I didn’t mean for it to come out so crass. I only mean that pink doesn’t suit you. A strong color like sapphire blue, emerald green, or red does.”

  She nods, placing her hand on the railing. “Typically, I’m in those power colors. It’s not like I got much of a choice here, though. Bastards dressed me up like a fuckin’ Malibu Barbie.”

  I snicker at her complaint, “Well, I’ve already arranged for a large variety of clothing to be in your room. Hopefully, you’ll like what you see once we get home.”

  “Home?” she repeats, sounding sickened by the thought.

  A small gust of wind blows against us from where we stand, causing her hair to whisk in the motion. I need to get my shit together and not keep thinking about her this way, seeing her natural beauty. I should be irritated that she just got sassy with me, but it only makes me want to sink my cock deep inside her and bury my
cum deep within her walls.

  Fuck, I’ve lost my damn mind. Never have I wanted that with any woman, and here I am, meeting Presley for the first time, and craving it like some horned up teenager. “You should consider yourself lucky to be coming home with me. If you only knew what types of things happen to the others.”

  “I should what? Is that a joke? You just bought me like a fucking designer bag from the store, and I’m supposed to be thankful. Are you stupid? What do you think I’m going to do, kneel on the ground and kiss your feet for saving me from this? You’re ridiculous.”

  I try not to allow my inner demons to get the best of me, but they do. I take my hand and wrap it firmly around her neck, squeezing as I tell her how this is going to work. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Personally, I’d much rather do things the easy way, pumpkin. Do me a favor and don’t get shit twisted. I bought you, which means you are mine. Whatever life you think you had before this moment doesn’t matter. You’re my property now, and that’s all that matters. You’ll see that you will have an extraordinary life with me, and I’ll treat you with respect and dignity as long as you deserve it. The moment you disrespect me, well, I’ll do what I’m doing now and then some.”

  I rip my hand from her throat and grab her arm, tugging her up another set of stairs with me, and we both walk on the helipad. The moment Silva sees me, he’s starting the engines. I put Presley ahead of me and put her head down, forcing her to stay low while I walk right against her, shielding her from the massive gusts of wind that the helicopter is causing. I open the back door and get her in, buckling her up and put her headset on before I shut the door and walk towards the front of the helicopter. I open the door, hop in my seat, and shut it behind me, getting myself situated just before Silva takes off.

  “So, what’s your name?” Silva asks through the headset, glancing back to Presley for a moment.