Angel

Chapter 65

Gabe

My palms were sweating as I placed low bids on other auctions. Victor had accidentally won a bid. The poor girl looked terrified and was maybe all of thirteen or fourteen years old. We would do our best to find her family and get her help.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, the auction you've all been waiting for," Vivian's voice rang out from the darkness. A single spotlight fell on her. Mattie stood with her head held high in a white chemise. I could see the faint lines of the cuts, but she refused to show any emotion. "The bidding starts at two million. Do I hear two million?"

"Two million," Nate's voice rang out.

"Four," Corey called out.

"Eight," Axel's voice called.

"Fifteen," an unknown bidder called out.

"Twenty-five," Luke replied.

The bids continued to climb and I stayed silent. "Four hundred and fifty million is our standing bid, going once," Vivian said.

"Six hundred," I said loudly. The crowd gasped and muttered.

"Very well, the gentleman in the back has the bid at six hundred million," she said with an evil grin. "Going once, going twice, sold to the gentleman!" The room erupted in applause and for just a moment, Mattie's shoulders sagged. "If our winner would come to the podium, we will prepare the stage according to his requests."

I quickly made my way forward and came face to face with the hag and Carlos. My palms itched to just slit their throats, but I had no way of knowing if we could get to Mattie in time. "Congratulations, Mr..." she asked.

"Dubois. Gabriel Dubois, madame," I answered, using my full French accent.

"Monsieur français?" she asked.

"Oui madame. Je ne pouvais tout simplement pas laisser passer cette opportunité. (Yes, madam. I simply couldn't pass up this opportunity.) Peut-être devrions-nous parler en anglais pour votre associé ? (Perhaps we should speak in English for your associate?)"

"Oh, of course, bien," she said quickly. "What requirements do you have?"

I thought for a moment. I needed a spectacle, but something I could easily control. "Do you have a, um Croix de Saint-André, and whips or floggers?"

Carlos's eyes lit up. Bastard. "We can get that set up fairly quickly. Any specifics on the whip?"

"For a short session, perhaps a, um," I snapped my fingers as if searching for the term then looked to Vivian. "chat à neuf queues?"

"Oh, a cat o' nine tails, yes we can easily get that," she smiled.

"Leather, s'il vous plaît," I added.

"Very well, Mr. Dubois, we will get the stage readied. Would you like to speak with your purchase?"

"Oui," I nodded and followed her to the small room off-stage. Mattie sat, her back rigid as we walked in. She'd never met me in person, so I wasn't worried about her giving me away.

"Cher, this is Mr. Dubois. He won the auction and would like to visit with you before his demonstration," Vivian said to her. I swear the lady was fucking insane. She was talking like it was a blind date she'd set her up on, not a fucking torture and rape session.

"Fuck you, Vivian," Mattie said flatly. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Dubois."

"Bonjour mademoiselle," I said gently and came to kneel before her. "Please leave us." Vivian bristled, but I snapped, "I paid good money, now leave." The old woman left in a huff, slamming the door.