Sold to Moretti Mafia

Elena

“I’ll take you,” Julian growls. He finishes his drink before slamming the empty glass down. He shoves off his seat and motions for me to get up too. His eyes are dark, feral, and I wonder if simply asking to go to the bathroom is the final nail in my coffin.

Apparently, I don’t move fast enough because, in the next instance, he is grabbing my hand, tugging me from the stool, giving my wobbly legs and unbalanced feet no time to adjust. One step is all it takes for me to lose my footing, causing my body to collide with his firm back, my cheek resting against the smooth material of his tux.

His entire body tenses, vibrating with rage or maybe something else. I wouldn’t be surprised if he truly did decide to sell me at this point.

At least he gives me a moment before he starts walking again. Looking down at the ground the entire way to the bathroom, I make sure not to trip over my own feet again. When he comes to a stop, I realize we’ve reached the restroom.

He releases my hand and gives me an impatient glare when I look up at him. The coldness in his eyes chills me to the bone, and I walk into the bathroom on unsteady legs, doing my best to keep myself upright.

Sighing in relief, I stand before the huge mirror, resting my hands on the edge of the expensive-looking sink. The bathroom is completely empty, not that I expected there to be many women in here, not when the entire place is packed with men.

Taking a couple calming breaths, I focus on my reflection. My face is put together beautifully, but everything else about me screams, look at me. I want to burn the dress I’m wearing and toss the shoes on my feet into a river. I hate everything about this night, and even more the way it’s causing Julian to put walls up and push me out. Tears fill my eyes, but I blink them away. I cannot ruin my makeup by crying because then Julian will know I was in here sulking and not going to the bathroom, and with the mood he’s in right now, I don’t doubt he would threaten to hurt Marie over something as small as that.

Straightening my shoulders, I’m preparing myself to exit the bathroom when the door opens, and a petite blonde enters. I’m shocked to see her, but I’m even more shocked when she opens her mouth.

“Elena, your father asked me to give you this,” she speaks low, low enough that there is no way Julian will hear from the other side of the door. Still, my first instinct is to look at the door and make sure he isn’t racing inside.

Glancing away from the door, I look down at what she is trying to give me. In the palm of her hand rests a silver key.

“What is that for?” I whisper.

“The key to your bedroom. Take it.” She shoves the key into my hand, the cool silver metal resting coldly and with the weight of a brick on my palm.

The woman looks back to the door before looking at me again. “Your father wants me to tell you that Julian has been trying to kill him. Ever since you were taken, he’s been trying to find a way to save you, but he worries that if Julian succeeds in killing him, that you will be next. You need to get away now before it’s too late.”

“But…”

“No time. Just get away the first chance you get. Good luck.” And with that, she spins around on her heels and walks out of the ladies room, leaving me standing there with my mouth gaping open.

What the hell was that?

I look down at the key in my hand, trying to digest everything this woman just told me. How did my father get a key to the room in Julian’s house? Why is Julian trying to kill my father when he bought me for ten million dollars?

I have so many questions to ask and no one to ask them.

“Elena!” Julian’s gruff, muffled voice filters through the closed door, snapping me out of my own thoughts. I quickly shove the small key into the built-in bra of my so-called dress.

“Coming,” I call out.

Rubbing my sweaty palm down my dress, I take one last look in the mirror. You can do this. Opening the door, I find an angry looking Julian on the other side.

“What were you doing in there?” He pushes the door open further to look inside.

“I just needed a minute…” I start to explain, but Julian doesn’t really seem interested in my answer. He grabs my wrist and starts to pull me away from the bathroom. It’s by fate alone that I don’t trip over my own feet.

“Moretti,” a familiar voice calls, the sound making my chest hurt, and my stomach churn. Julian stops in his tracks, making me yet again bump into him. His hold on my hand becomes tighter, almost as if he expects me to run away.

“What do you want, Romero?” Julian snaps.

“Did you have to bring her here? Wearing this of all things? She’s not a whore.” My father’s voice cuts through the air like a knife dipped in acid. I want to look up at him so badly, assure him that I’m okay, but I remember Julian’s words. Disobey, and Marie will pay.

“She isn’t any of your concern anymore. Ten million says so. In fact, I’ll strip her naked, walk her up on stage and throat fuck her in front of everyone if I want to, and there isn’t a fucking thing you can do about it.”

“Jesus Christ, Moretti, what’s fucking wrong with you?”

Julian answers with a chuckle. “Nothing more or less than any other man in this place, including you. Do you know how many offers I got on sharing your daughter tonight? Maybe I’ll take some of them. Pass her around. If you’re lucky, I’ll send you a video.” Julian’s tone isn’t just cold but mocking, and his grip on my hand becomes tighter and tighter until it’s hurting.

“I want to buy her back. I’ve got the money.”

“No.”

“No? I’m saying I’m giving you back your ten million. You had your fun, now I want my daughter back.”

“So you can sell her to someone else?” Out of the corner of my eye, I see Julian shake his head. “Where did you come up with that kind of money anyway? You were pretty broke last time I checked.”

“Does it matter where I got it from? I’ve got it, that’s all that matters. Let’s go, Elena, we’re going home.”

My father extends his hand out to me, and my fingers twitch, yearning to grab hold of his, but I force myself to stay still, to keep my gaze trained on the ground.

“What have you done to her?” My father’s accusing tone is aimed right at Julian.

“Trained her. She will not speak to you, or anyone because she knows what happens if she does. And your offer means shit to me. She is mine. You knew the type of man you were selling her to when you accepted my offer.”

“I will not let you hurt her. She is pure and innocent–”

“Not anymore,” Julian interrupts, making my father shake in anger.

“She is not made for this world. Give her back to me.”

Julian takes a threatening step forward, tugging me right along with him, and my knees shake. Waves of uncertainty run through me while my captor, and my father, the man who sold me, stand toe to toe.