Chapter 5 5

Alyssa's POV:

Suddenly, I was out of control. If Dr. Wolf had somehow sensed that I was a threat and decided to quietly kill me here, he could. I focused on pleasing him, because that might be the only thing that could save me now. As I bent down to kiss him, he stopped me.

Is this the end for me?

I was aware of the small earpiece he had, as if someone from the control room was guiding him on what to do. Did they somehow discover my secret plan? But how? I alerted my body, knowing just how ruthless Dr. Wolf could be in a fight. I might not stand a chance against his skill, but I wasn't about to give up my life without a fight. That's what my stepdad taught me, and it's been ingrained in my mind ever since.

"As much as I would like to be alone with you tonight, something came up and I think you need to get back to your Boss now... someone tried to shoot him in the head," Dr. Wolf almost whispered in his deep, cold voice.

My eyes widened. What did he just say? "What?"

We wasted no time; he quickly pressed the elevator button to take us back to where we came from. When the doors opened, we were in a place I didn't recognize. We ended up on a different floor, not in the room where the auction was being held.

"Where is he? Is he still alive?"

"Yes. Fortunately. My men escorted him into one of these suites." The floor we were on had large doors leading to the rooms. The light was dim, only emanating from the edges of the walls. I noticed a few guards emerging from a room four doors away from the elevator. Mr. Choo was likely in there. I cursed to myself; why did there have to be an unexpected incident on this day? I couldn't afford to neglect Mr. Choo, as he was my cover. They would all grow suspicious if I didn't show concern for the man I was supposed to be watching.

Then I heard a subtle sound from behind me, and I instinctively ducked. I grabbed the small pistol concealed in my boot. What the hell! Someone had just tried to shoot me too. The bullet left a mark on the elegant wall. I took cover behind a large mahogany vase. I needed to get Mr. Choo out of here before the situation worsened. There was a sniper targeting me, and one wrong move would mean my demise. I took a deep breath and swiftly moved through the room towards where Mr. Choo was. I was followed by a series of gunshots from behind me. As I opened the suite, my first step onto the floor made it creak and give way.

I cried out as I fell, crashing into the auction room. I landed on a soft cushion, but I was surrounded by golden bars. I was inside a large cage. What the fuck is going on? Is this a trap? The nervousness surged in my chest as all the eyes of the wealthy businessmen participating in the auction were fixed on me. They scrutinized me from head to toe. I was forced to stand up from my collapsed state. When I looked at the large monitor, I couldn't help but swear. I was the next item they were going to bid on!

Shit!

Alyssa's POV:

I spotted the masked Dr. Wolf. I shot a glare at him. Did he plan all of this? He approached me, giving me a chance to question him.

"What's going on? Did you trap me in that room? Did you plan all of this, Doctor Wolf?" I asked him in a low but firm tone.

"No, I didn't. We had kept Mr. Choo safe and sound upstairs while we're searching for the culprit. It looks like... you just entered the wrong room," he replied.

"Then get me out of here, this is a mistake. For damn's sake, I'm not for sale!" I snapped.

"We don't usually do this. We had never involved a human being in our auctions, this is the first time. While this is against the rules, we have a reputation to uphold. We cannot take back any item that has already been presented to the bidders' eyes."

I held onto the bars of the cage tightly, shaking them in the hope of breaking free, but the metal enclosing me was stronger than anything.

"Once I'm sold, what will they do to me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Everything. When I say everything, that means no hard limits, no restrictions, no rules."

I closed my eyes. "Just to brief you about our policy, we offer protection for your future owner. If you try to do anything funny with your buyer, you will die. That's part of the deal. So I suggest we do this as smoothly as possible with your full cooperation..."

"The buyer can do all sorts of things with me, but on one condition: you will save my mother's life! I'm desperate now, I'm only here because I heard that you're a miracle doctor and that you're the best there is..." I pleaded.

He paused, his masked eyes intently focused on me. "There are only very few in the underground world who know what I'm capable of as a doctor... who told you about me?"

I remained silent. I couldn't say. He didn't seem pleased with my response, and his gaze turned even more dangerous. Then, he suddenly grinned.

"Then you're not in the position to demand things from me, young lady. Good luck with your new owner, till we meet again... Ms. Cabrera."

He was about to leave when I shouted, "If I lose my mother, then I have nothing to lose anymore. Which means I will kill anyone who tries to lay a finger on me whenever I get the chance. If you want to sell me here, you will have to sell me dead."

He took a deep breath and turned back to face me. "Well, if you're a little nicer to your owner, I might change my mind..."

"I want my buyer to marry me. They can do all sorts of dirty things with my body as I imagine they would, but I need a ring on my finger before that."

I could at least hold onto my dignity before everything went to hell. These men were mostly married, and if there were any who weren't, none would consider giving up their freedom just to have me. If someone did buy me tonight, I would make sure to use them to save my mother. I just needed to afford the payment for her surgery, that's all.

Dr. Wolf laughed, and everyone in the room joined in, feasting their eyes on the sight of me nearly baring my soul. They fell silent when I spoke my condition.

"I'll go for 20 million dollars."

I was surprised to hear that voice from a dark corner of the room. It was familiar-the sexiest, most hypnotizing voice I'd ever heard, and it was etched into my memory. When he stepped into the light, I confirmed my suspicion.

What the hell is he doing here?

I didn't know he was a member of the Dark Society. Who the hell was he?

I saw the slight frown on Dr. Wolf's face, and even he seemed surprised by the appearance of the last bidder. But he quickly recovered and spoke, "20 million dollars from Mr. Jandrix Alexis DiMarco. Who will take up on him with a higher offer?"

No one spoke. My cheeks were burning with nervousness and anticipation. The stunning man from that night was buying me! I couldn't believe it because I had dreamt of him so many nights.

"None? Item sold to Mr. Jandrix Alexis DiMarco."

Jandrix Alexis DiMarco. That sounded really familiar! I laughed at myself. Why hadn't I recognized him?

Our gazes met. I stared at him, unable to help but gape at the extraordinary aura of power that enveloped him. Everyone in this room was wealthy and feared in high society, but he stood above them all. His commanding presence was undeniable, and the respect shown to him was palpable.

Jandrix Alexis DiMarco, the ultimate Prince of Hell, was the random stranger I bumped into the other night. I didn't know him personally, but I had certainly heard of his name once or twice. It was hard not to, considering he was one of the wealthiest businessmen in the entire world. The Prince of Hell-ruthless, powerful, and devilishly rich.

Every fiber of my being trembled as I recalled how the affluent individuals surrounding him described him. It would have been much safer if I had ended up with the plump bidder.

Then again, be careful what you wish for, because you might just get it. That thought immediately crossed my mind, and I wanted to laugh at myself. I couldn't move; it felt like all the blood rushed to my head. When he approached me, I couldn't hide my surprise and nervousness.

"Nice meeting you again, beautiful. You can't get away from me now. I caught you," he said in that deeply enchanting, almost fantastically musical voice of his. He took my hand and kissed it. It sent a jolt of electricity through my body, almost making me convulse. He didn't let go of my hand, and he stared directly into my face, his eyes twinkling, and he looked impossibly handsome at that moment. It was as if the master devil himself had temporarily left his throne in hell to claim a helpless soul like me. Thank you very much. I wanted to curse fate.