The Sale.

BOUND BY DECEPTION

Chapter one

The sale

The underground auction echoed with hushed conversations and the anxious shuffling of feet.

Smoke hung heavy in the dimly lit rooms, mingling with scents of expensive cologne and sweat.

Shadows danced across ornate decorations that failed to hide the establishment's dark

dealings.

Ava sat trembling against the iron bars of her cramped cage. Rope burn stung her wrists from

hours spent struggling against her binds.

She drew her knees close and focused on steadying her rapid breaths. Though exhausted and

chilled to her core, she refused to break under the watchful gaze of unseen eyes tracking her

every small movement from the event's hidden recesses.

The auction would begin soon. Buyers murmured amongst themselves, sizing up potential

purchases in the flickering lamplight. Ava's skin crawled at their lingering stares dragging over

her vulnerable form.

Scared was an understatement.

She knew what was to come. The dehumanizing parade before cruel masters seeking new

possessions. But she had survived too much already to give up now. Somewhere beyond these

walls, she hoped to find freedom.

Her eyes were like flames, reflections of an strong spirit trapped within a vulnerable frame.

Though her body showed signs of mistreatment - dirt on pale cheeks and bruises blooming on

thin arms -she managed to stand properly.

Wavy brown hair fell over gallant shoulders in beautiful tangles, accentuating her pale

cheekbones and a sharp jaw that, unmarred, might have conveyed nobility. But desperation

darkened her hazel irises in the dim auction hall, even hope seemed like an unattainable luxury.

The sweet-tongued auctioneer's voice carried through the crowded room. "A rare find with a will

that insists on breaking.A virgin rare and untouched" Rough hands dragged her to unsteady

feet, rough fingers digging into bruised flesh.

Her bare soles scraped cold floorboards as she was thrust into the glaring spotlights,

disoriented. Murmuring assessments rose to an ambient din as predatory eyes appraised her

like chattel.

She longed to scream, to fight, but had witnessed the fates of those who resisted. Bidding

commenced amid an atmosphere dens with avarice; offers climbed

"Fifty thousand"

"Hundred thousand"

"One fifty thousand"from fifty thousand to a hundred, then two hundred thousand. With each

inflation of her price, she felt further removed from the life now lost to her.

Then, an authoritative yet calm intonation silenced the hubbub.

"Two million."

Not a sound. The weight of those two pronouncements bore down heavier than any manacles.

Even the auctioneer hesitated before confirming the sale with his gavel.

"Last bid anyone else"of course no one dared to bid higher.

"Sold."

The room exhaled in a collective release of held breath.

A sudden harsh hand hit her "move slave do quick"

She quickly readjusted her pose and ran to meet her new buyer still bowing her head low.

"And who are you to hit her? You do realize you don't own her anymore"his voice ran cold as he

walked toward the auctioneer slowly grabbing his wrist and squeezing it so hard, "listen she is

mine alone to hurt mine alone to protect"

"Yes sir yes sir I apologize"he shook his head desperately,Dante only hummed walking away.

"Take her to my car,lay a finger on her and you would be the one missing a whole hand"

As the sun began to set, Ava's thoughts swirled like the changing hues in the sky. She sat alone

in the car dreading the impending darkness and what it might bring.

Footsteps approached in the distance, the rhythmic crunch of high boots on the hard ground

carried through the quiet evening. Her breath caught in her throat as a figure emerged from the

shadows, tall and intimidating even from afar.

After a long, seeming like forevermoment, he spoke. "You are under my protection now." His low

voice carried an air of authority leaving no room for arguments

The man stopped just outside the car door, she couldn't make out his features. But she knew

who it was.

Whispers in town named him the one to fear after dark, though few dared speak his name

aloud.

Dante, they called him, in hushed, terrified tones. As he stepped inside,Ava was struck by his

imposing stature and muscular frame, honed from years spent asserting his dominance through

strength and skill alone.

His sharp gaze scanned her, she shrinked herself inorder to feel safer.

His large big rough hands found their way to cup her features.

She found herself trapped in his steely blue eyes, depthless pools that gave nothing away. She

had heard rumors of his merciless rule over the outskirts, maintaining order through brutal

efficiency.

He stepped into his car, looking at her disheveled sight he still found her beautiful.

"Don't be scared you're safe now,when you get home how about you wash yourself eat some

meals and get some rest"he said with a big smile.

Such actions made her more terrified,she had heard of Dante Metriti ,he was ruthless he never

smile and here he was smiling to a slave.

"So you don't have a name lovely?"he asked and she nodded

"Ava that's your name,in Latin it means a beautiful bird"

'trapped in a golden cage' those words were never spoken.

"So let me confirm your parents died at an early age? You were sold at age 20 you have just

been here for a year, you're lucky if you had spent more time here you would have been raped"

She only nodded,she was taught to never talk to her master,his voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Let me here your voice call me Dante"

"Yes master"

"No Dante"

"Yes Dante"

"Beautiful how lovely, your voice is heavenly"Another smile plastered on his lips

And that was the moment she fell.

' I am not quite sure if that was the day my heart started beating for him,but slowly slowly I

began to dread liking this man-no not man this monster'