30

Ifollow close behind Niki and keep my eyes on her back. If I look at Carlton, I'll rip his fucking throat open. He's never seen my face in person, though we've had plenty of on-screen meetings. Thankfully, they've all been while I'm in a darkened room, with my best attire that kept all of my tattoos hidden. He won't recognize the man standing behind the beautiful woman he's talking to. My woman.

The guy standing next to him not only notices me, but he takes me in as well. He's a lean but tall motherfucker, and he watches every move closely, examining and memorizing every minute fucking detail. I recognize the sort. He's ex-military. My eyes scan behind them to the left of the ballroom, where I spot Olivia and Jasmin peering at us.

My cousin gives me one solemn nod, and I glance at the man standing next to Carlton, who's scanning the area behind me, and then I look back to Liv.

I hear Jason through the earbud. "Olivia asked me to gather intel on the man who's with Carlton."

I know he blocked Niki's earbud, as to not overwhelm her with unnecessary chatter that may scatter her thoughts. She's concentrating on keeping her voice steady.

I knew my suspicion would get across to Olivia. Jason is constantly failing at his attempts to keep her busy with in-house work. His fixation with keeping her out of the field goes beyond words. But Olivia and I grew up side by side since I was adopted. She was the first person in the family that I spoke to, and quickly, we were communicating without words.

"I'm disappointed to find you won't take part in the auction," Carlton tells Niki.

"Oh, I will."

Carlton's eyes brighten, and the man beside him remains unfazed, bored even. Interesting.

"As a potential buyer," Niki explains.

"Ah, well. Charles, make sure our guest receives a menu."

Charles looks at Niki as if acknowledging her for the first time. "You'll have to go through a mandatory screening. Once that's complete, you'll have access to the menu." He produces a device. "Your fingerprint."

Niki reaches forward with the hand that's connected to my leash, and it forces me to press my front against her back and lean forward slightly. Gingerly, she places her index finger on the screen and it scans her digit.

Jason's voice speaks into my ear. "Sara created profiles for each of you. You'll be fine, Justice."

The device beeps, and Charles examines it. His eyes connect with Niki's and his semblance slips. Just for one second, but I notice it. He knows who she is.

I tense, ready to pull her behind me and strike, when his voice interrupts my plan. "What's the saying? Flying colors?" He slips his hand into an inside pocket of his jacket and hands her a small tablet. "Your code." He shows her the device that scanned her finger, where a QR code waits. He looks bored again.

Niki slides her finger up, and the tablet comes to life. Her hands tremble slightly, but she stays in control and opens up the camera app to scan the code.

Carlton steps and leans forward to take a peek at her screen. "Perfect! Scan through the images and make your offers. Good luck." He smiles and then they're gone.

Niki turns to face me. "I don't understand." She flips through the images roughly. "They don't look like," she looks around and lowers her voice, "victims."

I try to appear inferior and amenable. "It's advertising clothing and jewelry; each model is different. It's a cover, little fox."

She nods in understanding. We move toward Olivia and Jasmin when she stops. I look to see what's made her almost drop the device and see a child on the screen. She's no more than five years old and wears a soft green dress with ruffles for a collar. She stares at her hands, delicately folded over her lap. She has a diamond encrusted crown.

Niki's hands tremble, and I press my front to her back and put my hands on her shoulders and squeeze. I want to tell her that we're here to avoid this shit from happening. No one's buying anyone tonight.

"Let's join the girls." My voice is soft but stern. If anyone sees her reaction, her cover might be blown. I'll kill every fucker that even tries to touch her, but I need us to make it out in one piece. All of us. The little girl included.

She moves forward, an empty shell, unable to pretend to smile anymore. I don't blame her. No one at this party is phased by what appears on their screens. They're clicking ecstatically, comparing and goading. My blood boils, and I practically hear it as it travels through my fucking veins.

"What's wrong?" Olivia speaks first, her words hushed, giving nothing away. She scans the room, a tense smile splattered across her features.

Jasmin moves in close and she can't take her eyes off the screen.

"Shit," I hear Olivia say. "We need to move fast. Find a clear path for us, Jase. The auction begins in less than an hour."