Sold to a mafia billionaire

He only looked at me. I was still shaking, wrapped in his jacket that cost more than my entire life. It was warm, and for the first time in three years, I felt safe. But also scared. Who was this

se your stepmother told him you owe her money." My mouth dropped open. How did he know that? "How do you know my stepmother? How do you know my boss?" At that, he finally looked up. His grey eyes locked on mine. "Because, Ava Cole, my men have been watching you for two weeks." The car went cold. "W-watching me? Why? You are a stalker?" He leaned back, his face unreadable. "Because your stepmother came to my company to ask for a loan. She offered you as payment. She said you were beautiful, innocent, 21, and desperate. She had your photo." My stomach dropped. My hands started shaking again. "That's a lie! She wouldn't..." "She asked for $50,000," he continued, his voice getting darker. "She told my manager you would do anything. Clean, cook, marry anyone. She was going to sell you to a 60-year-old man named Mr. Harrison. He collects young girls." Tears filled my eyes. "No. No, she can't do that. I'm not a thing to be sold." Alaric watched my tears with clenched jaw. Something dangerous flashed in his eyes. "That is why I sent my men to watch the diner. I wanted to see if you were... what she said. But I saw something else. I saw you working like a slave. I saw them bullying you every day. I saw you crying in the back alley during your break." "You... you saw me crying?" "Every day at 2:15 p.m. Behind the trash cans." I covered my face. I was so humiliated. He gently pulled my hands down. His touch was surprisingly soft. "Listen to me, Ava. I did not buy you. I refused your stepmother's offer. But Harrison did not. He paid her yesterday. $50,000 cash. He is coming to your apartment tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. to take you away as his wife." "No!" I screamed, grabbing his arm. "No, I won't go! I'm 21, she can't force me! Call the police!" "The police work for Harrison in this city," he said quietly. "He has t