HIS BRIDE. HIS OBSESSION. HER VENDETTA

Ava Monroe was dragged onto the auction stage with a collar around her neck pulling her like some animal been led to the slaughter.

She felt her world crumbling before her as she shut her eyes tight to try catch her breath and stabilize her legs as they were trembling and attempting to betray her.

The lights were too bright that they stung her eye balls giving that piercing sensation.

Ava tripped and fell to the floor, the auctioneer pulled the collar around her neck, forcing her back to her feet

People in the crowd was already whispering out " I will bend her to any style I want" "look at her legs so sexy" "look how portable her boobs are , I love the size" " oh her ass is my exact size"

She blinked as sweat ran down her face and her Heels making a clicking on marble.

Her Wrists bare, but there was an invisible leash around them, her head , and entire limbs trembling.

Every step she took felt like sinking deeper into the cage she’d built herself.

The room was full of luxury and wealth. Velvet chairs, Crystal flutes, Men in suits, Women in gowns, Masks everywhere. No one was themselves.

Sin was currency in here and she was the prize for today

“Lot Forty-Three,” the auctioneer shouted ringing his bell to get their attention

Laughter filled the room as Ava held her chin up. Eyes everywhere and nowhere.

She’d agreed to this. Signed her name. Maybe her blood too. “Fifty thousand.”

“Seventy.”

“Ninety.” Numbers climbing. Then:

“Half a million.”

A voice echoed from behind , deep and attractive

Silence covered the entire room Her breath caught as her heart began to race.

She didn’t look.

That voice she recognized it Promised once. Threat now.

Dante Vale.

The man she could never hide from.

“Sold!” The auctioneer screamed again ringing his bell.

She didn’t remember stepping down. Didn’t even feel her feet on the ground Only her heartbeat pounding, a heavy hand shoving her through a back door.

“Ten nights,” the handler said.

“No rules. No returns.” She didn’t answer. Couldn’t.

Dante Vale was waiting.

He never played fair.

Hallway long. Dim lights. Velvet curtains. No faces she knew.

Her legs shaking as she walks the guard directed her to a black door

“Room Seven

Good luck.” He said with a Smirk

The Suite was too big and cold. Fire crackled by the corner as the smelled of cigars, leather, something else she didn’t want to name filled the air .

She didn’t see him. Just a shadow.

“You like dramatics,” Dante said.

Her Stomach twisted and her hands shaking as she Folded them like a shield

“And you like owning people,” she shot back.

He stepped closer exposing he black suit, loosed tie and messy hair.

“You didn’t think I’d miss the chance?”

“I didn’t think I was worth it,” she whispered. “You’re worth exactly what I paid. Maybe more.”

Her heart betrayed her.

“What do you want?”

He leaned close. Lips brushing her ear.

“Ten nights. I want to watch you unravel.

On your knees. My name in your mouth. My rules in your blood.” begging me to dig you! And have you for a ride!

Dante said with his voice calm and bold Her heart beating loud against her chest .

As she remembered how Dante rode her, make her scream for more and made her cum in seconds .

Her nipples harden, as she felt funny.

She turned and tried to create a Distance distance between them.

Then she remembered She sold her freedom the second she signed the auction papers She was his now.

Somehow Part of her wanted it.

“You hate me,” she said with a low voice

“I do.”

“You don’t trust me?”

“I don’t.”

“Then why buy me?”

“Because I never got to finish what you started.”

She spun.

“What I started?

His hand grabbed her chin, looking straight into her eyes

“I was the one you left bleeding in that hotel while you ran off with your secrets

” She Froze as Old wound opened bleeding raw.

“I had no choice,” she whispered.

“You had a choice. You just didn’t choose me.” Then he let go.

She stumbled back room spinning. Everything too hot and loud.

“Rest he said with a low tune

"Night one tomorrow,” as he turned, away.

She didn’t sleep, she Couldn’t.

The Silk sheets smelled like him. Every breath reminding her how messy this was.

How much of her old self was gone.

Once, Dante had been everything. First love. First heartbreak. Ten years ago.

Now? Revenge, lust, control, closure. She couldn’t blame him. Not after what she’d done.

The Door creaked open . She jumped out of bed It wasn't him. It was a Tray of food, a Glass of wine.

And a card reading:

Ten nights. No rules. Don’t fall in love. She stared. Smiled bitterly. Broke. “Too late.”

The door cracked open again. This time, it was Cassian.

He stood at the entrance, silent for a minute, then broke it.

“Ava, it is time to go home,” he said, gesturing before walking out.

Outside, a black limo waited at the front of the auction hall. Cassian pulled the door open and looked at her with a warning in his eyes. Ava got in. He followed, shutting the door.

Ava sat in silence, watching the city absentmindedly as she thought of what she had gotten herself into. She could feel Cassian staring from the corner of her eye—heavy and sharp. He hadn’t said a word since they left the auction.

The limo was dark. Cold. Too quiet. She sat across from him, knees tight together, hands folded in her lap like some scolded schoolgirl in detention.

“You look thinner,” Cassian said finally, voice smooth and cutting. “Did they not feed you wherever you’ve been hiding?”

Her eyes lifted slowly. “I wasn’t h