I turned my head and focused my attention back on the other candidates.
“Yo, you all good?” The only man in the room tapped the cowgirl on the shoulder. “No hard feelings for holding you back? It’s in my nature to protect a woman—especially sisters.” He shrugged. “Got five of my own, so I know how crazy two angry women can get.” He smiled softly, and I noted not only was the man handsome, but he was also huge.
The cowgirl held out her hand. “Thank you. If you have little sisters, you know how it is. We don’t ever stop worrying or wanting the best for ’em.”
“I heard that.” He chuckled and shook her hand. “Memphis Taylor,” he said, his voice a deep, smooth rumble that was like tasting a top-shelf whiskey for the first time.
The cowgirl’s eyes widened. “The Memphis Taylor? The man who single-handedly scored four touchdowns and two interceptions for the Georgia State Panthers two years ago in the game against the Texas State Bobcats, winning it all?”
“You’re a college football fan?” His head jerked with surprise.
“Love the game. You were amazing. Then you took that tackle, and— ”
He cut her off with a sportsman-like clap to the back. “Old news, woman.”
She took the hint and left it alone while nodding. Then she glanced around the room at the rest of us sitting around the table staring at them. “Dakota McAllister.” She pointed to herself. “And this is my sister, Savannah.” She hooked a thumb behind her.
Savannah waved and looked directly at me as though she was requesting an introduction, so I obliged.
“I’m Faith Marino, local to Las Vegas. I waitress and deal cards in casinos. My father owns and operates a small Italian restaurant.” I offered up the bare minimum. I did not need any of these people talking or asking about me around town. Not that we’d be here long since tomorrow night was the auction. “That’s it. Me in a nutshell.” I crossed my arms over my chest and attempted a genuine smile even though I had nothing to smile about in the grand scheme of things.
“You already heard our story,” the fiery redhead named Savannah announced to the group. “We need to save our family’s land and ranch in Montana. That’s why we’re here.”
Dakota clenched her jaw so tightly I could see a muscle ticking in her cheek. She did not like what her sister was about to do, and I totally got that. Not that my sister wouldn’t have jumped at the chance. Unfortunately, she’d never have made it through the application process. My sister, Grace, was a filthy junkie who roamed the streets looking for handouts and her next fix. I hadn’t set eyes on the woman in four years, which broke my heart but also gave me an enormous sense of relief. Her being a wanderer, sticking to the dark side of the Vegas Strip, meant it was unlikely anyone would give any credence to the things she may or may not know about me and my past. I let out a slow, relieved breath while the one man in the room introduced himself.
“Memphis Taylor. In my previous life I played ball. Was about to go pro until I got injured. My family needs me now more than ever…so here I am.” He eased back into his chair and leaned to the side to focus on the other women here.
The cute blonde waved. “I’m Ruby Dawson. Born and bred in a trailer, dead middle of Mississippi. Spent most of my time taking care of my sister and waitressin’. I want a better life, and this auction is going to give it to me.”
“God willing,” the Asian woman who hadn’t yet introduced herself to anyone murmured.
“What was that?” Ruby cocked her head, attitude in her tone.
Ruby was a firecracker ready to explode for sure.
“Just that we hope whoever buys us does exactly as you desire. Gives us a better life.”
“You worried about being mistreated, darlin’?” Dakota asked, tapping her fingers on the top of the table, concern in her tone.
The woman shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. We’re all jumping headfirst into an arranged marriage to the highest bidder. The man, or woman depending on what your preference is, could be a psycho. But that’s part of the risk we take, right?”
I nodded but didn’t say anything. She had a really good point—one that had plagued my thoughts every night of the last week. What if I was chosen by someone who liked to beat his woman into marital submission? Or maybe the guy would be a freak who wanted to do scary, weird sex things I’d never heard of or even seen? What would happen if I said no to something sexually?
Madam Alana had made it clear in the interview process that the participating men were in good standing, uber-successful, wealthy, and had also been vetted. She claimed that bidders would only get to bid on candidates who matched their sexual preferences. To me that meant all the bases had been covered, but we were all entering into unchartered territory. We had no clue what would actually happen once we were chosen.
“What did you say your name was?” I asked the woman.
“Jade Lee of Lee International Imports, Beverly Hills,” was her introduction.
“Whoa!” I blurted, shock fueling my response. “Aren’t you rich already? There’s a Lee International Imports store in every city. Why the hell are you here?”
Jade squinted, and her bow-shaped lips twisted into a snarl. “It’s none of your business. It’s none of anyone’s business why we are here or what we are willing to do in our personal lives. My circumstances are my own, and I don’t wish to share them.”
I watched as Ruby put her hand over Jade’s since she was sitting next to her. “No worries, Jade. You don’t have to say nothin’. No one here is judging or should be judging anyone…” Her gaze snapped to me, and I felt like a complete heel.
“I’m sorry, Jade. That was rude of me.” I sighed, trying to pull my foot out of my mouth. “It surprised me that someone who I thought might not need the money would be here. I truly am sorry.” I swallowed, pushing down that ugly, judgmental side of myself. I didn’t used to be that way. Being on the run had changed me.
“Apology accepted. Perhaps later, when the situation isn’t so raw, I will feel open enough to expand upon my experiences.” She looked down at her hands. It seemed Jade had a backbone but had been beaten down by something she did not yet want to share.