She huffed and sat on the edge of her bed. One that she’d never have to sleep in again. Where she’d sleep after the night was over was anyone’s guess, but anywhere would be better than the House. She had vague memories of the past few days while Lullaby had started to take effect. Even through the thick fog, it turned her stomach. The way she behaved, the sickly-sweet voice she spoke in. She’d grown used to the other girls talking that way but remembering herself do it sent a chill through her.
“Fine, but if you think after this is all done, I’m going to be walking around behind you like an obedient little puppy, you’re wrong.”
He laughed. “I wouldn’t go making promises you can’t keep.” He checked his watch. “We can talk about all of that later. After we get through this adoption party. Do you remember what I said?”
“Yes. If anyone asks where we were, I tell them I was sick, and you took me to the doctor. But I’m all better now.” She rubbed her fingers together, the sensation of the material something new for her. “I think some of those drugs are still in me.”
He grabbed her hand. “Maybe. Thankfully, you weren’t affected by the lower doses. Some of these girls would take days to get the drugs out of their systems.”
“The other girls,” she said, jumping up from the bed. “What about them? Who’s going to get them out of here?”
Costello cupped her shoulders. “I’m worried about you tonight. We can worry about them tomorrow.”
She frowned. “No one’s going to save them, are they?”
Costello pinched his lips together like he always did when he didn’t want to answer her question. “One thing at a time, okay?”
Ariana tried to focus on her task at hand, but her thoughts kept wandering to the other girls who weren’t going to be set free after tonight.
“Hopefully, the other men in the room won’t have a chance to talk with you at all. Johnny’s trying some sort of new bidding strategy.”
Another glance at his watch. “Okay, let’s go.” Costello opened the door and gestured for her to get going. She let him lead her to the stairs and up to the fourth floor. They used the playroom for their adoption parties because it was large enough to hold all the potential buyers.
She could make out the mutters of everyone as they approached the doors. Her heart started to race and her breathing got harder. What if she couldn’t pull it off again? What if Nancy suspected and was going to out her at the party? Even though Costello promised her Frank was already aware and they had a deal, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t go back on his word.
Costello opened the door for her, and she walked into the room. Many of the men from the play party she’d been to were in the room but there were more unknown faces. So many of them for only four girls? She’d forgotten to ask how the adoptions took place.
Would she be put on a stage and bid on?
Would one of the men try to take her?
The further into the room she was brought, the more her worry consumed her. She didn’t see any of the girls who were up for adoption. The only girls she saw in the room were the ones who belonged to the playroom.
“Daddy.” She tugged on his arm. “Where’s Shelby and Mae and Courtney? Where are all of them?” she asked.
Costello brought her closer to him and leaned down to her ear. “Frank wanted me to bring you in later than the other girls. It looks like you’re the last one.”
“What does that mean?” she asked panicked.
“They’ve all been adopted, Ariana.”
She gasped.
“Don’t worry about that right now,” he said firmly. “Just stick to what you’re supposed to do.”
“Hey, Costello.” Gianni approached them with a drink in his hand. His nose looked red, like he’d already imbibed a few. “Ariana.”
“How’d it go?” Costello asked in his usual Daddy voice.
“Fine.” Gianni sipped his drink. “She got adopted.” Another sip. “By some seventy-five-year-old fat fuck.” He downed the rest. “And all I could do was stand there and watch him as he kissed her, as he…fuck!” He wiped his hand over his face. “I’m getting out of here.”
“Gianni. Don’t do anything stupid,” Costello said after him, but Gianni was already halfway to the door.
“Shelby? She was adopted?” Ariana tugged on Costello. “We can’t let her be taken away like that. We have to do something.”
“Costello. So good to see you.” Uncle Johnny showed up next. He patted Ariana’s head. “You have a lot of Daddies waiting for you, little girl. Let’s get you to the front of the room so they can start putting in their bids.”
Her throat closed up when he grabbed her arm, but Costello’s glare warned her to stay calm. With an inaudible whimper she let Johnny pull her to the stage. Her stomach flipped but she managed to keep her composure. Costello promised nothing would go wrong. He would keep her safe. She only had to do what she was told.