Hanging On By A Thread (Clearnight Haven Book 2), page 9
As he was allowed in with Jasper by his side, after Jasper had been searched as well as he had, his men were sent through a metal detector. Fabian had never been so happy to have idiots working for someone who thought he was important then he was now. With the five guns between he and Jasper, they were more than ready for whatever happened.
Okay, so he was wrong in that assessment. He expected it to be unpleasant, but Fabian had never expected it to be as bad as it actually was. Even with all their planning, he was not ready for the sights before him. They were shown into a large room that looked like it had been a grand restaurant at one point. They followed the other guests, who all took seats, as Fabian and his men stood in the rear and just observed. He had been a little surprised when they pulled up, seeing all the other cars. Fabian had expected the auction to only be for them and the other two that were bidding on Atticus. He should have thought that more auctions would be going on as well. From a business standpoint, it only made sense.
Now standing here looking at the mass of men sitting around chatting about everyday things with the others beside them, as if they weren’t here to purchase another being for their own sick, twisted lust, Fabian was beyond disgusted and furious. He wanted to allow his true vampire out, give his men permission to strike, and rip these monsters apart.
The door to the left at the front of the room opened and a line of ten men walked through. All of them were in handcuffs in front of them, and all were naked. Each of them looked like they were hungry and in need of a bath. Some had a few bruises that looked like they were in different stages of healing. The men were escorted by four big burly men in leather pants and vests and brought onto the stage where they were directed to the farthest point in the back, then ordered to kneel.
Another man suddenly walked into the room with an air of authority around him. He wore a somewhat expensive black suit, which maybe set him back about five hundred dollars, Fabian guessed, and he held his head up high as he moved through the room like he was a powerful force. Fabian had seen the look before on men who were Dom’s in the BDSM lifestyle. Fabian guessed this was Master Viscardi that the guard had spoken of.
As the man walked around the room, greeting some of his guests, Fabian had the overwhelming desire to rush the man, chain him up, and do to him what he was about to do to the poor men on the stage and probably thousands of others. He was only hoping that Kalen was getting everything on the cameras he had placed on each of them. They wouldn’t be able to save the other men on the stage tonight and take out all the men in this room, but with the images he hoped Kalen was getting, they could use those to track them all down. And with Agent Snow’s help, hopefully the response would be immediate.
The door opened again and two men stopped in the doorway. One Fabian recognized from the picture Kalen was able to get of Diego. The way he was holding the other man looked like he was helping him to walk. Viscardi must have heard the door open and he turned to look as well, but Fabian noticed that no one else in the room seemed to care as they continued on with their conversations.
He couldn’t see the face of the man being half carried. His head was hanging low and his greasy, stringy dark hair was cascading around it, blocking it from sight. Suddenly the man lifted his face and all the air in Fabian’s body left him as he stared at the dead eyes of his mate. The look on Atticus’s face told Fabian that his little mate had given up. What had these monsters done to his man that would put that look in his eyes, that would break him?
Viscardi swiftly walked to the pair and began speaking. The small man flinched slightly and Fabian wished the others in the room would shut the hell up so he could hear what was being said. The little man was helped to the floor, onto his knees, and Viscardi spoke. Rage like never before began to grow within him as Fabian watched Viscardi place a dog collar and leash around his Atticus’s neck, and Fabian could feel his true vampire awakening. This is what they had been afraid of. That he wouldn’t be able to control himself and jeopardize Atticus’s rescue. He needed to find a way to control himself before it was too late. His claws broke through his fingertips painfully, and with great inner strength Fabian kept his composure and casually slid his hands into the pockets of his slacks. The tips of his claws slicing through the material and scratching his thighs.
“You need to try to relax,” Silas whispered very softly against his ear so that no one would be able to hear him. There were a few humans in the room, but most were some kind of paranormal. At the same time Silas spoke, Fabian felt Jasper’s small hand touch his arm and Saber’s large one touch the small of his back. His brothers were giving him their total support in whatever he decided to do, and were adding their strength to his to help him to stay strong. Fabian was so grateful that they were beside him. He didn’t think he could make it through this night without them. He noticed that even Agent Snow took a step toward him, silently giving Fabian his support.
Viscardi walked a crawling Atticus to the stage and Fabian made a promise to himself, that before this was all over and they were able to get their hands on Viscardi, he would make the man crawl as he begged for mercury or death. And death would come to him, but not swiftly. No, Fabian had a very special punishment in mind for the arrogant vampire who now stood on the stage as if he were a king with Atticus kneeling at his feet.
“Welcome honored guests. Tonight, we have some very special slaves for you all. As you all know, each of my pets were bid on for twenty-four hours and the top three bidders for each were given the privilege to come here tonight to see if you could win your chosen one. For those of you who do, you are very lucky men, and for those of you who do not, don’t worry, I have a few more boys in the back that I would be more than happy to allow you to sample to see if they would fit your needs,” Viscardi announced, then looked to Diego. “Come, my pet, and show our friend here to his place.” Viscardi held out the leash and Diego took it, then tugged. Atticus stumbled forward, but caught himself with his hands, then crawled behind Diego to the back line with the other men being offered and placed in the center, but Diego never left his side.
“That one is a little special. He is truly pure. He has had no training and is ready for any Master to mold as he so wishes. And he is a virgin.” Vascardi’s announcement caused a murmur throughout the room. The men were all excited by Viscardi’s declaration.
Fabian was just sick, and his temper was almost at boiling point. He was barely hanging on by a thread. To think that if he hadn’t have come here to Clearnight Haven, or hadn’t learned of the missing man, or not decided to dig deeper into Atticus’s disappearance, then his one true mate, his beloved, would have been subjected to these monsters and his virginity taken painfully against his will. Fabian sent a silent prayer to the gods thanking them for bringing him here, and promising that when he got Atticus out of here, that he would treat the man like the most precious of gems and always strive to make him happy. He would always let Atticus know that he was loved.
Even though they hadn’t met yet and still needed to get to know one another, and love would take some time to grow, Fabian knew it would come. Just from the stories B.B. had told them of Atticus and everything they had learned about him while investigating, Fabian knew he was a good man. A sweet man. And he couldn’t wait to start their lives together.
Fabian had been so lost in his own thoughts and his promise to the gods that he had missed the fact that an argument had started around him. He leaned down toward Jasper, making it appear he was asking for interpretation, but he really wanted to know what he missed. So, in Italian, Jasper explained that some of the buyers were demanding that they be allowed to bid on Atticus as well, seeing as he was so special, and Viscardi was arguing that they had already been given the chance like everyone else on the website, but either didn’t bid at all, or didn't win one of the top three slots.
After a few moments, the crowd quieted down and Vascardi addressed them. “My friends, I am sorry that you did not win the chance to bid on this pet this evening, but I promise you, I hear you and will have more just like this pet to offer in future auctions. I and my men will do our best to acquire a few more in the coming weeks. So, keep checking our site to see what we have to offer and when. And remember, you can always contact us with special orders and we will go out and obtain them for you. But for now, let’s get this auction started. Master Simon, bring the first pet forward.”
As the auction went on and more of the “pets” were purchased and directed off the stage where their new Masters would be able to obtain them at the end of the auction, Fabian found himself getting more and more disgusted. The only saving grace was that once he won the bid for Atticus, he would be able to take him away from this horrible hell tonight and bring him home where he would be safe.
CHAPTER 11
“The bid is at two million. Do I hear two point one?” Vascardi asked.
Jasper whispered beside him, keeping up appearances, and Fabian nodded. One of the other two bidders for Atticus, the fat, lazy polar bear shifter Vascardi said was named Stewart, threw his hands in the air in a huff and stood.
“This is too rich for my blood. The little hole isn’t worth that much,” Stewart sneered. Taking one last longing glance at Atticus, the bear turned and stormed from the room.
“And then there was two,” Vascardi stated. “Mr. Kartizan, the bid is at two point one million to Mr. Dean. Do you bid two point two?” Fabian kept his face forward and emotionless, and never took his eyes off Atticus. From the corner of his eye he could see this Kartizan nod. Fabian was getting tired of this. He wanted Atticus away from these people and this place, and he wanted to get him home where he could keep Atticus cared for and safe.
“Mr. Dean, the bid is to you. Would you like to raise it?”
What Fabian wanted to do was kill everyone who stood between him and his mate, then take Atticus in his arms and hold him tight, but he needed to play his part. Fabian leaned down slightly toward Jasper, and Jasper moved closer. They whispered in Italian still playing their roles for anyone who could hear. Jasper explained what Vascardi said, then Fabian whispered back. ““Una volta che vinco il mio animale domestico. Dite agli uomini chelasciamo immediatamente. Poivorreichetornino e uccidano quel bug da prima .”
Jasper turned and whispered the words to Saber. “Mr. Dean says, once he wins his pet, he wishes to leave immediately, then you and the boys can return for that asshole from when we came in. He wants the man dead.” Once the words were out, Saber’s lip raised in a snarl as his gaze flashed to the man who was now standing off to the side, guarding the door the abducted men had been led through once they had been purchased. Fabian straightened and looked back to Vascardi, noticing some of the men around him had gone a little pale and were looking at him in fear. He knew they had heard him. It is what he wanted. “Due punti cinque,” Fabian stated clearly, but not raising his voice.
A few murmurs went through the room and Fabian saw Vascardi’s eyes light up with his greed. Fabian shifted his gaze to look at Atticus again and his heart clenched when he saw a tear run down the beautiful man's cheek. His eyes filled with torment.
“That is most generous of you, Mr. Dean. The bid is now at two point―”
“I know. Two point five,” Kartizan grumbled, cutting Vascardi off. “Your ass better be worth every damn penny, boy. And you will be paying every cent back, I can assure you. This has gone on long enough. Three million,” Kartizan called out, his voice deep and angry.
Jasper whispered to Fabian and Fabian nodded. He slid his hands from the front pockets of his slacks. Ran one hand down his chest as if brushing out a crease, then clasped his hands together in front of him. “Quattro,” Fabian stated simply.
“Four million?” Vascardi gasped, but quickly controlled himself.
“Four million? Are you that hard up, Dean? That hole isn’t worth half of that,” Kartizan sneered as he jumped to his feet, outraged.
Fabian slowly turned his head in Kartizan’s direction and just stared silently at him, not making another move, and not removing the sunglasses. After about thirty seconds, Kartizan started to shift uncomfortably.
“Mr. Dean has left a bid open. Is it accepted, or raised?” Jasper asked, breaking the standoff.
“Mr. Kartizan, do you wish to raise?” Vascardi asked.
“Hell no,” he grumbled and dropped down into his seat.
Viscardi smiled big, then announced the close of the auction. “This pet is sold to Mr. Dean for four million dollars. Thank you, gentlemen, for another wonderful and highly exciting auction. We will be having another very soon, so check your emails and our site. For those of you who have won your slave this morning, you may collect them in the back room where my associates will take your payment. For those of you who have not won, but would like to sample some of my other boys, please stay here and my men will bring them out momentarily.”
Agent Snow and Saber immediately took up positions on either side of Jasper as he and Silas turned and headed for the door with a few others. Once they made it to the exit, Silas’s guns were returned to him and he escorted Fabian out the door. As they headed to his car, Fabian heard a voice call to him and he stopped in his tracks when Kartizan ran in front of him to block his path. “Four million dollars, Dean? What the hell are you playing at? No one has ever bid that kind of money in one of these auctions. If you wanted to spend that much, you should have given Viscardi a private contract and I wouldn’t have had to waste my time coming out here. There is no way that little fuck toy is worth that kind of money and you know it. Now Viscardi is going to raise all his prices on the other meat.” Fabian said nothing, just kept staring at Kartizan.
“What’s the matter rich boy, don’t have your translator with you? Well, then hear this. If I ever see you again, don’t be surprised if I’m running a stake through your heart.”
Fabian noticed that Kartizan was alone and only one other had walked out with them and he was already pulling out of his parking spot. The side of Fabian’s lip raised into an evil sneer. Kartizan took a step back as his facial expression changed to worried. Fabian raised his right fist to shoulder level, then nodded once.
Suddenly Talon, the dragon shifter, swooped down from out of the dark sky. Kartizan’s eyes went wide as his mouth dropped open and he took another step back. The sound of screeching tires from the car that had just left caught Kartizan’s attention and his face paled. Fabian didn’t need to look; he knew what was happening. The roar of Ju Ju’s lion rang out and car doors were heard opening, then closing, right before the tires of the car screeched as the car sped out of the area.
“What the hell is going on here?” Kartizan asked, terrified.
Fabian stepped closer, then slid his sunglasses down his nose enough for Kartizan to see his red eyes. “You are now the pet. How much is your hole worth?” Fabian sneered in perfect English and took great joy in seeing the horror fill the horse shifter’s eyes. Talon dropped down and grabbed Kartizan by the shoulders, but before even one sound came from his lips as Kartizan opened his mouth to scream in pain, Talon flew off high, disappearing into the night.
“I grabbed his keys while you had him occupied. Hey, JuJu,” Silas called out.
The lion shifter came from the shadows, a smirk on his face. “That was fun. Stxy and Atax took the other car with that human in it. And River and Volaris snatched up that polar bear shifter when he left earlier. I sank his car after I got rid of the plates and tore off the VIN number. You want me to get rid of that asshole?” he asked.
“Here’s his keys. Make sure the car is never found again,” Silas ordered.
“You got it. See you later,” JuJu replied and ran off to Kartizan’s car.
The parking lot now sat quiet, except for the noise from JuJu squealing out as he drove away.
“Let’s get you into the limo before anyone else comes out,” Silas said and they walked away to go wait for the others.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Four million dollars. That man had bid four million dollars on him to make him his slave. Atticus trembled as he thought of all the things the intense man was going to do to him.
Yes, the man was gorgeous, but Atticus didn’t want to be anyone's slave. Surely this man, this monster in Armani, would get back every penny he had spent. From Atticus’s ass, probably.
Diego brought him back down the hall to an empty room and Atticus moved away quickly, scurrying across the floor to the far corner, where he pulled his knees up against his chest and wrapped his arms around them. Diego closed the door and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest, never taking his eyes off of Atticus.
“Four million dollars. Who knew someone would pay that kind of money for an untrained piece of ass? But I’m sure my Master is very happy, which means that I will be very happy.”
Atticus said nothing as he continued to watch Diego. He was so close to just falling apart and wondered how his new Master would treat him.
“Now, I just have to contact your grieving friend and pretend I need his help to find you because I am so torn up over you not meeting me, then finding out you disappeared. Once I get him hooked on helping me, I’ll snatch him up, too. Another virgin twink will bring in some good cash. Was it the virgin part that got so much money for your ass, or the vampire part? Will your friend get more or less because he is human? Hmm, I wonder. Maybe if we invite the two losers from your auction for a private bidding, we’ll make some good change on his ass, too,” Diego said, his words causing Atticus to fill with panic over B.B. He didn’t want them to touch his friend. He couldn’t let them do to B.B. what they were doing to him.
