Chapter 2

Phoenix

Three Months Later

Standing in line waiting to be greeted by the host, I watch everyone, as I search for McKenzie's father. Everyone's identity is hidden by the masks we are required to wear. Each color mask means something different. The white ones mean they're selling, the black ones mean they're buying. The red ones mean they're for sale, the black and red ones mean they're taken, but willing to share. Silver means they've been purchased and not up to share. Gold means they are an owner and aren't buying.

I'm wearing a black one. I don't intend to purchase anyone today, but there isn't a mask available for those who want to observe. If you attend an auction, you are expected to participate in some way. So, when I put in my application to receive an invitation for an auction, I put down the type of woman I'd be interested in buying.

A woman with silver hair, big brown eyes, legs that go on for days, and full red lips. One of the things I've learned from my father is when a person is purchased, because women and men are sold at these auctions, they are required to have sex in front of anyone who wishes to watch.

My eyes narrow at a man who is balding. He's short and stocky. Like our new dean. He has a black mask on as well. I know Brighton Academy has questionable attendees and staff, but this? It pisses me off thinking of him eyeing the girls he wants to buy one day. I have a lot of questions about this society and the auction they host on a quarterly basis.

How did it get started? Who founded it? And how do I become a member of the council? My father, who hasn't shown up yet, is how I found out you have to receive an invitation before attending an auction. I filled out my application, he turned it in, and my invitation arrived three weeks later. He isn't part of the council and has never tried to become part of it, which irritates me because I'm sure the answer lies in being a part of it. But I get it. He misses my mom and he won't have sex with anyone who isn't her.

I step up in the line as it moves and my eyes are drawn back to the man I'm sure is the dean. I stop in my tracks when I recognize he's speaking to none other than Marcus Knight. I'd recognize that man anywhere, with or without a mask. Someone behind me runs into my back.

"I'm so sorry," a high-pitched voice says.

I turn. "My apologies," I reply. I quickly school my features when I recognize Karla. She was the cheerleading captain last year. Her eyes widen when she recognizes me. Turning to face her escort, I know immediately it's her father. He's wearing a white mask, and she's wearing a red one. He's selling his own daughter. What. The. Fuck.

My father never showed up. Something is up with him and I will figure it out. Putting that out of my mind, I pay close attention to how the auction is run. Every bid begins at half a million dollars. Men and women are sold. Some want to be sold and others are terrified. It's almost as if those who are terrified had no idea they were being sold. This doesn't surprise me considering what happened to my mother. However, I assumed the girls being sold were kidnapped. I didn't realize their own fathers sold them.

It doesn't surprise me though. I've recognized a few of the girls, all of them graduated from Brighton within the last year or so. I also keep an eye out for my mom. But I already know she won't be one of the women. I'm sure if she were going to be sold, it would have already happened.

Sitting in the back row, I watch how everyone bids. There are more black masks here than there are people to buy. Will they stay and watch those who were bought have sex with those who purchased them? I've been asking myself the same question. Should I stay to see how it operates? Or should I wait?

"You're selling your daughter?" a woman asks Karla's father. I keep my eyes on the auction, but eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Yes," he says curtly.

"Did you tell her?"

"We're not supposed to tell them," he says, like she should already know this.

She huffs. "I'll never understand why it's a requirement the council has to sell their first daughter, but not their first son."

Karla's father grabs the woman's bicep, causing her to squeak. "Shut your mouth, Angie, or you won't be allowed to attend again."

"Fine."

My mind whirls. One of the requirements to be in the council is you have to sell your first daughter.

So, can you join the council before you have a child? Or is it a contract that's signed? What if they never have a daughter? Is something else promised instead? I'm going to have to immerse myself completely in this world in order to find out.

Walking off the field after our first game and first win of the season, I wipe my hand across my forehead. We're going to the playoffs this year. I'm determined to end this season as champions. Glancing up at the stands, I smirk at the sight of McKenzie, her face buried in a book. She hasn't even noticed the game is over.

Changing my direction, I walk to the stands, staring up at her for a few moments. First to take in her expressions as she reads. She's always been expressive when she reads. I wonder what she'll look like when I finally have her under me. Second, to see how long it takes for her to notice someone is watching her.

When she's mine, I'm going to have to teach her to be aware of her surroundings. I've been standing here for a few minutes and she hasn't looked up yet. Clearing my throat, her head pops up and her eyes connect with mine.

"Phoenix." The sound of my name on her lips makes me hard quicker than I'd care to admit. Fuck. This girl.

"McKenzie," I reply. "What world are you living in today?" Her cheeks pinken and I smirk. She glances from me to the field, then back to me.

"Did you win?" she asks.

"We did."

She smiles and stands descending the bleachers until she's in front of me. She's still in her school uniform looking sexy as hell. Every other female in this school tries to make their uniform sexier. Some leave buttons undone, others fold their skirts making it shorter. Not McKenzie, but she's still the sexiest woman in this school.

One day I plan on living out my fantasies. She'll wear this uniform while I bend her over a table in the library and fuck her until her voice is hoarse from screaming my name. Jesus Christ. When I first met her, my plan was to break her. But as I've gotten to know her, I've realized she's a victim.

She doesn't talk about her father much. From the little she's told me and the one deep conversation we had when she found out some of what her father does, I've gathered that he sent her here to get rid of her. He hasn't been to one parent's weekend and each time it makes me look forward to the day I get to destroy him.

"Congratulations." She holds her book close to her chest. "I'm sure Timothy will be happy." She looks toward the locker rooms like she's trying to find him. He's another close friend of hers and he's on the lacrosse team. He's probably the reason she comes to the games, but I secretly hope it's to see me as well.

"Thanks." I push away from the bleachers and begin my walk toward the locker room. She falls into step next to me.

"Do you think you'll go to the playoffs this year?"

"Yes."

She chuckles, so I give her a sideways glance. "You're very confident."

I shrug. "I'm captain this year. Last year's captain was an idiot." She laughs and shakes her head. "Where's your boyfriend?"

She squints as she stares down at the ground. "I don't know." I don't like the sound of her voice; she sounds sad. "I don't think he likes me that much, but he hasn't broken up with me." She shrugs.

I'm the reason he hasn't broken up with her. The fucker better not be walking out on her. I'll kill him.

"Anyway, I'll see you later. I'm going to the library." She does a little wave with her fingers and she walks away.

"I'll see you there later," I call out to her. She smiles at me over her shoulder. Damn. This girl is going to break me.