That caught her attention. She lifted her head and glared at her husband. “Want another black eye?”
I jolted at her comment. “You gave him that black eye?” I asked, horror coating my tone.
Her eyes widened, and she looked around for help. “Um, yeah, well, it was kind of an unusual response…ish. It’s hard to explain. Things got a little crazy yesterday.” She stared at Sutton, who was nothing but wide smiles.
“Madam Alana, we had a disagreement. Some words were said… and we’re working through those. She didn’t mean to punch me in the eye. It was an accident. Right, honey?” Sutton’s cheeks turned dark as he lied, giving her an out. Excusing abhorrent behavior as though it were nothing.
Dakota looked at him as though he’d just stepped in a pile of excrement.
“We do not raise our fists at one another. Ever!” I snapped. “And that goes for every one of you. It’s a breach of contract.” I gritted low in my throat and made sure to make eye contact with each person there, especially Dakota .
Sutton lifted his hands in a gesture of surrender. “No worries here. I’m very happy with my purchase. No refunds necessary.”
Dakota snorted. “Refunds?” she snapped. “If anyone deserves a refund, it’s me!” She pointed to her chest.
I held up my hand once again. “There will be no refunds. And on that note, I want to remind you all of your agreements.”
I waited until they were paying attention, even Dakota and Sutton who were both a little surly toward one another, something I didn’t think would ever change between them.
“Please do not interrupt me as I go through the next part. The rules of the contract are as follows: All bidders have had the deposit amounts wired from their accounts and placed into the candidates’ accounts. All commissions have also been wired and paid in full. Thank you for that. Marriages must take place within one month’s time from the date the contract was signed, if not earlier.”
I gave Sutton and Dakota the side-eye.
“If you need more time, you may request that through me personally. Upon your marriage, the first installment will be wired into the candidate’s account. The remaining amounts will be divided and dispersed upon each anniversary over the three-year period. If at any time a candidate wants out of the marriage, prior to the conclusion of the three-year contract, you will leave with your deposit and owe any remaining monies you have received back to your bidder. If the bidder wants out of the marriage prior to the three-year contract, he will forfeit the deposit, commissions, and still be required to pay the full auction amount to the candidate.”
Noah hissed at the reminder. “Steep hits.”
I nodded. “That is the point. The Marriage Auction is not a game. It’s a mutually binding agreement between two parties for a period of three years. Included in that fee, the candidate is expected to do all the things agreed upon in the contract. One of those things being that the marriage must be consummated within two weeks of the wedding ceremony. If you do not, the contract is forfeit. Regular copulation, event attendance, assistance with the home, business, child rearing, and so forth is included in your commitment. This contract binds you both to a real-life marriage for a period of three years. Does everyone here understand?”
I made sure to assess each person nodding.
“There will be no domestic violence of any kind.” I squinted at Dakota. Usually I was warning the bidders, not the candidates, but as I had mentioned to Christophe, this group was unruly.
“We have a zero-violence policy. Violence between couples is unacceptable and will account for a full breach of contract. Legal action will be taken by my company in order to protect whichever party is at fault. This will be extremely costly. Am I to assume that all of you can share space without resorting to domestic violence?”
This time I waited until each person gave their verbal agreement. Even Dakota begrudgingly agreed. Though I didn’t trust her answer, I also believed Sutton was a big boy who could handle himself.
My heart practically sighed after.
“I look forward to an invitation to your future weddings and will be checking in with each candidate regularly. These include not only safety checks via phone, but over the coming months especially and even years later I may pop in to ensure each candidate and bidder is fulfilling his or her commitment. You must treat one another with respect. There will be no caging, torture, sex trafficking, beating, maiming, or selling off your partner in any way, shape, or form. If one of my candidates deems a situation inappropriate, I expect to be contacted immediately. If I do not hear back personally from my candidates, my security team will do whatever it must to ensure my people come out of any situation alive. The same cannot be said for the perpetrator of any heinous acts. Do I make myself absolutely clear?”
“Excuse me?” Joel stood.
“Bloody hell,” Noah cursed.
“The fuck?” Sutton growled.
“Faen!” Fuck, Erik said in Norwegian.
And Nile blinked numbly as if I’d shocked the unshakable man.
“Has this shit happened before?” Sutton grabbed the handle of Dakota’s chair and rolled her body to his side, wedging himself in front of her like a shield.
Their outbursts made me smile. “I see that those concerns upset you all as much as they upset me.” I clapped my hands together. “Please do make sure your wives respond to my calls and messages accordingly. Thank you all for entrusting me with your future happiness. I am honored. I do hope all of you find peace in your new lives. If there are no further questions, you may all go. Be well and be happy.”
Sutton was the first to rise. Dakota swayed before looping an arm around his waist to keep upright.
“That last part was fucked up,” he grumbled. “I’d never do sick and twisted shit to my wife. Let’s get out of here, baby.”
“Don’t call me baby!” She fought back, but took his hand when he reached for hers.
I watched and waved as first Sutton then Erik led their brides out. Ruby broke away, as I expected. When she was close, I pulled her into my arms. She pressed her face to my neck and hugged me tightly.
“I’ll call,” she whispered. “And I’ll be fine.”
“Of course, you will. I have no doubt.” I pushed her silky blonde hair behind one ear. The woman was so pretty. I wished she realized her own beauty and worth. I had a feeling she would soon enough.
After her, Faith and Joel came over. I shook Joel’s hand, then hugged Faith. I looked into her eyes. “Everything’s going to be okay. ”
“For the first time in a long time, I think so too.” She smiled softly and took Joel’s outstretched hand.
When they all left, I pressed my hands to the conference table and leaned over it, allowing the sorrow to fill my body to bursting. Then I sobbed into my fist.
“I couldn’t save you, Celine, but I’ll be damned if anything happens to these girls,” I whispered to the empty conference room.
As the tears fell, I heard the door to the room open.
My salvation stood in the doorway.