He didn’t just stop at Luna and Cat however, pointing to more of the girls, until they were all lined up, waiting for his instruction.
Glancing back at the textbook still on the floor, Luna was forced to leave it behind as Cat tugged her hand, a silent command for her to follow along.
As Lawrence walked them through the building, not for the first time, Luna thought of how easy it would be if they all worked together. At the very least, they could kick his ass and attempt to escape, but that idea wouldn’t work well … not when Emmett had security all throughout the place to make sure no one stepped out of line.
It was one thing, trying to fight off someone who was unarmed—they had him in numbers—but those guards had guns, ones they weren’t afraid to use.
Filing into the spacious sitting room, they stood shoulder to shoulder as Lawrence walked a path in front of them, appraising them with cold eyes. When he reached Luna, a smile curled his lips, and right then, she knew she probably didn’t want to know what he was thinking.
The soft tap of Emmett’s leather shoes sounded on the floor a moment before he appeared, a thick cigar in his left hand, his eyes on them. He looked like an older version of Lawrence. Same hair, though his was peppered with gray, and the same eyes—though his were cold, they weren’t unforgiving like his son’s.
It was Emmett, actually, that was behind having Luna taken from her childhood home in San Jose—the only home she had ever known.
A life she longed to return to.
Sometimes, in the dead of night when Lawrence had finally passed out and his snores echoed throughout the room, Luna liked to close her eyes and try to picture that life with her mama and papa and sister.
Luna missed them the most.
Her memories were usually fleeting, only brief bursts of images and smells.
She missed the blazing sun on her face, the water from the sprinkler on her skin as she ran around the backyard, chasing behind the labrador she had begged her mother for.
Oh, how Luna missed Blanco and his snow white fur that he constantly got dirty on a regular basis, just from running through mud and dirt. She wondered if she ever found him again, would he even recognize her.
“Tonight,” Emmett began, dragging Luna from her thoughts. “There will be an auction held. You’re to cater to the guests’ needs, whatever they may ask of you. Is that understood? You will do as your told, no matter what is asked.”
While affirmations sounded around the room, Luna kept her mouth shut, not sure what to say. She didn’t miss that he hadn’t made mention of what kind of auction it would be, but if she had to guess, it wouldn’t be a worldly possessions they bid on.
“You have two hours to get this place spotless, and dressed standing as you are. Attire will be given. Do you understand?”
Again, they all agreed.
But Luna, once more, didn’t say anything at all.
A lot could be accomplished in a couple of hours, Luna thought as she carefully zipped up the side of the dress that had been left for her on the bed. It was better than she had expected—just a simple little black dress, though it did stop a little higher on her than past choices.
The main house had been scrubbed and cleaned by the staff, leaving the marble flooring clear and the fixtures sparkling. Appearances were important, and seeing this place, one wouldn’t have the slightest clue what took place on the premises.
All the girls were dressed the same, though some only wore shimmery lingerie that barely covered anything. Lawrence and Emmett had both changed as well, in fresh suits with hair gelled in place. By the time the first few guests started trickling in once the doors were opened, Luna already felt nauseous.
Most of the guests were men, though a few came in with women hanging off their arms, delighted smiles on their faces. Sometimes, Luna had seen, the women were worse than the men.
“Don’t react,” Cat whispered in her ear as they stood next to the bar that had been set up.
Don’t react.
She tried to force herself to process those words, to do exactly as Cat had said, but she was scared of what the night would bring. She had never been to one of the events Emmett held—Lawrence kept her tucked away—but she didn’t think it would be anything good.
Luna was gripping the table’s edge so tight her knuckles blanched. Carefully, she released her hold, taking a deep breath as she tried not to let her panic get the best of her.
Lawrence’s punishments were usually swift and unmerciful.
Cat, on the other hand, seemed to be processing it all pretty well, though there was a touch of apprehension in her eyes. At least until Lawrence came striding over to them, sending her darting off in the opposite direction.
“How’s my favorite pet?” he asked with a warm smile, as though those words were caring and complimentary.