Chained Lovers

Chapter 23: Auction

K I A R A ' S P.O.V

The first thing I noticed was the atmosphere. It was lively with the rich and snobby coming together and pretending like they're doing this for the good of others, when in reality it was just another excuse to wear a fancy dress.

I hated the upper east side, and all that inhabited it. Of course, my family were the exception because half of these people didn't even know that the Mafia existed, let alone that the CEO of Romano corporations was the leader.

"Ahh Miss Romano, we've missed you. It feels like forever since we've seen you, at least now you can fill out your dress." I smiled at Mrs Carter, fighting to ignore her insult on my tiny breasts. Well the joke's on her, I grew into a DD cup whilst her fake ones were slowly sagging.

"Aww, and I haven't seen you since your fourth wedding was it? No ring I see, oh..I'm so sorry did he sleep with au pair like number two, or his secretary like number three. At least he didn't just run off like the first though, that would have been a disaster."

"Okay..." I felt a strong wrap around my waist, whilst the other took the champagne glass out my hand. "Apologies, she's a little tipsy." I scowled at the beautiful man looming over me.

"No problem, Miss Romano needs to keep that tongue of hers in check though." Mrs Carter gave me a sharp glare, before glancing up at Tristan and smiling brightly. "I hope to see you later though."

He chuckled. "Maybe?" I gaped at him in shock and anger. What the actual f**k?

The moment she left, I stomped on his foot causing his hold on me to loosen. "Ah baby-girl, what the f**k?"

"First of all you interrupted me when I was in the midst of defending myself and second, I can't believe you agreed to f**k her." I may have screeched the last part out a little too loud, earning weird looks from those around.

Thank god, my family were already inside. Should have gone with them dumb ass.

"Your father gave me one very clear instruction, keep you out of trouble...and you were about to get into trouble." I scoffed.

"That was hardly trouble, the woman insulted my breasts and I was going to just let it go? Anyways, that still doesn't mean you can have s*x with her." He laughed bitterly, holding my hand as he led me out to a deserted corridor.

"You don't really think I'm going to have s*x with her, do you?" When I didn't answer, he tipped my chin up. "Hey, you're the only I want to f**k, love and kiss. The only one."

"But Elizabeth..."

"Was a mistake. A moment of weakness. I..will apologise for hooking up with her for the rest of my life because it wasn't right. It was stupid and dumb, the result of way too many drinks."

"You were drunk during school." He raised an eyebrow at me.

"You really think I could attend a lecture on Macbeth for the second time without a little booze?" I laughs quietly, the noise quickly disappearing into thin air.

"So, I'm the only one huh?" He smirked.

"The only one, and for the record, I think your boobs are amazing." I giggled, just as the lights flashed on arms off, signalling it was time for the auction to start.

"Well, duty calls."

"I still can't believe you're doing this." I shrugged my shoulders, walking away from him backwards.

"Sometimes, you just have to take a chance and who knows, maybe my true love will buy me?" I winked, praying he picked up on my hint.

***

"Am I late?" I was breathless which was an understatement since I had just sprinted all the way to the stage area.

"No, apparently we're last. Well, you are. I'm second to last."

"Leaving best till last." I giggled, flipping my hair over my shoulder. Over the many years of being a socialite, I've learned one thing. Confidence is everything, and in this world, you needed it to survive.

The girls surrounding me were gorgeous for sure, but their beauty was matched with an ugly personality that made me want to personally put a bullet in each of their heads.

A little extreme, I know, but after growing up with the likes of Serena Cartrich and Penelope Goldstein, it's enough to make a girl turn crazy.

"Oh my gosh! Kiara!" I rolled my eyes, before spinning around with a fake smile plastered onto my face.

"Oh my god, Serena, Penelope. You guys look amazing."

"So do you," Penelope said, sarcasm dripping out of her sickly sweet tone.

"Did you hear that Aaron Black is attending? I mean, he's rich for starting up his own software company but everyone knows he's a real life bad boy. Drugs, weapons, clubs...it's enough to drive a lady away." Serena drawled, her eyes lingering on me.

"Lucky for him though, I'm not a lady. Especially not in bed." The four of us laughed, me furiously digging my nails into palm to stop me from punching Penelope straight in her perfect nose.

"I hope he bids on me, I'm planning on giving him more than a date, if you get what I mean." Penelope carried on, the urge to punch her driving me to the brink of insanity until Tessa put her hand on mine in an effort to calm me.

"Or there are your brothers Kiara, they're definitely on my wish list. Particularly Kalen, I love the mysterious vibe he gives off." Now it was Tessa's turn to restrain herself.

"Anyways, good luck. Hope you get a guy our age and not someone like Mr Jones, he's been after you ever since you turned legal, Kiara." I shifted uncomfortably, noticing Mr Jones leering at me as he pulled out his wallet.

Fuck, if he bought, I don't know what I would do. He's been trying to coerce me into bed for a long time now and this was his perfect chance to get me alone. It wasn't like I didn't like older guys, of course I did, I mean I screwed my teacher, but Mr Jones was in his sixties with a balding scalp and a retirement coming up.

I was into daddies, not grandfathers.

"Miss Tessa Harrington, 18 years old." I clapped as Tessa walked onto the stage, finally after what felt like hours. Standing right besides the stage, I watched the auction commence with men of all different ages bidding for my best friend.

"10 million." The crowd gasped in awe, at the highest offer yet and all eyes went to my dashing brother, who had a knowing smile on his face as Tessa rushed down into his arms.

Kalen, was definitely getting slapped when I got home, and I wasn't talking about from me. My dad looked furious, not at the fact that my brother had just spent ten million on a date, but at the fact that he was going out with Tessa. Someone he considered a daughter and he was fiercely protective over his girls.

As the applause calmed down, my name was called out and I confidently walked into the stage. "We'll start the bid at 50,000." A man I had never seen before lifted up his paddle, but the offer was quickly upped to 100,000 by Mr Jones.

"200,000." I smiled, when Tristan lifted his hand up.

"A million." Tristan's smile faltered slightly when Mr Jones announced his bid.

"Five million." I gasped. Tristan didn't have that sort of money to spend, and certainly not on something he could easily get for free.

"15 million." The bids were getting higher and higher, as more men and even a woman, called out their bids. They quickly reached the total of thirty million, Mr Jones, giving the final bid.

I looked over at my parents who were watching the show, worry and anger plastered on their faces. My dad knew how much Mr Jones had taken a liking to me and he hated the greasy man, just as much as me.

"Going once," Mr Jones licked his lips as he looked me up and down like his next meal. "Going twice." I didn't even bother to look at Tristan, knowing he didn't have the money to spend. "And..."

"Fifty million." I stood there, stunned and astounded, just like the rest of the crowd as my dark knight made his way to the front of the room.

"And I'll pay in cash." He shot me a sexy wink, but my eyes stayed glued on my father, who looked ready to murder someone.

"Going once, going twice, and sold to Mr Black, for a record breaking fifty million!" The crowd cheered and applauded his charitable donation but I knew he wanted something more than to give back to his local community.

I was escorted off the stage by a bulky man, who led me over to Aaron. One of his men left with a briefcase full of cash, to deliver as p*****t.

"Is this supposed to be you not drawing attention to us?" I seethed, flashing everyone who was watching us a nervous smile.

"You think I was actually going to let that old fucker take you out, please I saved you from having to suck on his shrivelled balls."

"I'm not sucking on any balls, thank you very much." His lips curled up into a malicious smirk.

"We'll see." I gaped at him, my mouth ajar, but he tipped my chin up to close up. "Don't want you catching flies Princess." I was so close to whacking him, when my father approached us.

"Mr Black, didn't think you would be attending tonight."

"Mr Romano," Aaron put out his hand for my father to shake, but my dad was a cold hearted b***h like me, and ignored it completely.

"What the hell do you think you're doing with my daughter?" A cocky grin broke out on Aaron's face. Oh no.

"You should be thanking me? After all I did save her from that god awful bastard Jones, who knows what he would have done to the sweet little Princess?" My dad took a dangerous step forward, forcing my mum to hold him back.

"Daddy, it's just a date. A harmless date, that's all." My dad turned his attention away from Aaron and focused his rage on me.

"He's evil, Kiara. A f*****g menace, he'll hurt you." His cruel words caused me to shiver. He'd already hurt me and because of that, there was always a fear inside me that he'd do it again. And this time, it would be a hell lot worse.

"I can take care of myself daddy." He smiled, not understanding the truth behind my words, but I could sense that my mum did from the tight lipped smile she gave us both.

"Of course you can." He pressed a quick kiss to my forehead, and then my mum did the same, expect her hands wrapped around me to give me a hug.

"Kiara just remember one key thing. Live in the moment. If something spectacular happens, then forget the past, the present, the consequences of your actions and just go for it because you've got a life to be living and you can't do that if you're constantly stuck in the past." She whispered, her words causing my mind to spin.

"How do you..." She gave me a wink, before grabbing my father's arm and dragging him away. I'm guessing she knew that Aaron was one of the men featured in the traumatic story that is my life.

Behind them, all three of my brothers stood there with their arms crossed over their chest, staring down Aaron like a bunch of heathens.

"If a hair on her head is misplaced, then expect a visit from us." Kalen grunted out.

"Yeah, and I'm bringing bam and whapow!" Aaron jumped back a little as Kai performed the one karate move he knew.

"Come on karate kid, let's go." Kieron, the sensible one, yanked Kai back using his collar and pushed him away from us. "Seriously though, hurt our Kiwi, and we end your life." Aaron didn't seem the slightest bit fazed by my brother's threat, me however, I was dying of embarrassed.

"Can you please leave now?" I mumbled, looking anywhere but at Aaron.

"Sure sis, have fun." He pecked my cheek. "But not too much fun." I was sure that by now I was as red a tomato, so I waited until my brother left to face Aaron.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I can't believe they...and my dad...I..I just..I'm sorry." To my surprise, he burst out into laughter.

"Oh princess," He slung his arm over my shoulder, as we started to walk to the exit. "You're so cute. Don't apologise for having an over protective family, they're just looking out for you. As they should."

"I'm still super embarrassed." I murmured.

"Don't be...Kiwi." I slapped his chest as he chuckled. The deep laugh causing my heart to quicken.

"Now are you ready for..."

"Black. I need to talk to you for a moment." Mr Jones rudely interrupted, his eyes raking me up and down, causing Aaron to hold me closer.

"Actually Jones, you can say whatever you want in front of my date."

"Fine. I want to buy her from you, I've talked to my accountants and managed to scrape together just a little under 100 million. Hopefully that will be enough to satisfy you."

"Actually no. Sorry Jones, but I wouldn't sell this Princess for all the gold in the world. This one is mine." I glanced up at him at the mention of the word mine.

For some reason, the word made me smile, and he was right. Tonight, I was his.

"I'm willing to pay double, I don't understand. What's so special about this one? She's just the same as the rest. A thing to be used at our will." I took a step forward, ready to knock this bastard out, when Aaron grabbed my arm and hauled me back.

"Actually, she's free to do what she wants. I didn't spent 50 million so I could get a date, I spent 50 million so that she could be free. No woman should be forced to be with someone they don't want, especially not when that person is you."

I was in awe of this man. Every time I saw him, he found yet another way to surprise me, and each way had me falling deeper and deeper for a man I felt I still hardly know.

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A/N: I neeeeddd an Aaron in my life!!!

Uh, Kiara is one lucky b***h. ?

I'm wondering who you thought would buy Kiara though?