Michaela’s POV.
Delaney sits far from where I am in the back of the limo we are sharing. He is dressed in a black tuxedo and me? Well, I was toying with the idea of wearing a dress that resembled dental floss just to piss him off. But I decided against it.
So I am wearing a floor length red satin gown with a thigh high split. My long black hair is in soft curls down my bare back. On my feet I have my six inch strappy Christian Louboutin heels. Natural make-up with a red lip and gold jewellery.
“You look beautiful.” Delaney says, and I scoff, looking out of the window.
“Yes, well. Anymore surprises I need to know about?” I say when I turn my head to look at him. All those lessons on etiquette will be put to use tonight. Much to my father’s delight.
“No, I promise,” Delaney says, and I nod my head as I see flashing lights and know we are moving closer to the red carpet. All kinds of dignitaries, famous people like celebrities and politicians, and high rollers are at this event. So I have to act like: one, I belong here or two, that I want to be here.
One out of two isn’t too bad. This is my world, or it used to be. But either way, I don’t want to do this.
I put a smile on my face as the limo door is opened and I’m blinded by the flashes. Delaney offers me his hand and I place mine in his and I’m gently pulled from the car. I smile elegantly, like I was shown to do during all the lessons back home. God, I haven’t thought of home since I left and knowing I’m about to step into the lion’s den, I’m brought back to the days that I was blissfully unaware of my father’s deceit.
Delaney and I walk past the flashing cameras and the reporters shouting questions, and I keep my head slightly down until we reach the front door of the hotel.
The interior is what would be expected of a five-star hotel. It is dripping in class and elegance. The giant crystal chandelier hangs above the lobby, and men and elegant women make small talk with glasses of champagne and bourbon in their hands.
No sooner have we arrived, we all make our way in to the grand hall. I walk past some people whilst still on the arm of Delaney and I hear a few nosey questions and gossip. Then I hear a gasp.
“Oh, my god. It’s Raven Knights.” I lift my chin higher and wink at the woman as I walk past her and she blushes. Her male companion is asking who I am, and she rushes out. “Nobody” and I fight the urge to chuckle.
We reach our assigned table and I see the looks I’m getting from some of the men in the room. I ignore them, even though I feel like a piece of meat to their gazes. I have never felt like this before and I don’t like it. When I’m behind the camera, I’m doing a job, but here I feel like I’m on display.
“Relax, Raven. You are too stiff.” Delaney whispers in my ear, and I smile as I whisper back.
“You’re not the one being looked at like a piece of meat by starved wolves Delaney, so shut it.” I say to him and smile as I meet the eyes of the older lady sat across from me. She is dripping in diamonds and has had wayyyy too much Botox. Wow, her forehead is so shiny.
“Hello dear.” She says in her mixed American-British accent and I smile at her and reach for my glass of water as I wait for this to start and to be over with. No alcohol tonight. My boys made me promise.
“Hello.” I say to her and she smiles at me, but the man sitting next to her is star-struck and I know he must have been watching me in his private office at home while his wife sleeps blissfully unaware that he is jerking off to someone thirty years younger than her.
“Is this your first charity auction?” She asks and I fight the urge to tell her to poke her nose else where so I smile and nod at her.
“Is it that obvious?” I say to her, and she laughs lightly and the sound grates on my nerves.
“You will get the hang of it.” She says and her husband looks really uncomfortable. Everyone is making small talk when the subject of what I do for work comes up. Delaney squeezes my thigh and I snap my head to him and he removes his hand. I’m not ashamed of what I do for a living.
“Oh, I’m in the s*x industry.” I say and everyone in earshot chokes on their expensive champagne.
“Excuse me? You’re in the what industry?” I chuckle at her question as I cut into my chicken and my eyes meet her husband’s as I slowly and deliberately suck the juicy chicken into my mouth and chew with a moan. I open my eyes and see the looks of horror and wonder on some of the faces around me. Delaney chuckles as he reaches for his drink.
“Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to this year’s Charity gala. We are here to raise money for the victims of abuse who have fled their home situation.” I smile softly at that when the emcee continues.
“So after dinner, we will begin.” He says and we all clap when I feel the fine hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I hear the whispers from around the room.
I turn my head to see what all the commotion is about, and I see them. Who the hell are these fine muffins?
All three men are in black suits that look like they have been painted onto their tall, muscular frames. My mouth goes dry as they all walk in step with each other and all of a sudden the song by ZZ Top Sharp Dressed Man plays in my head.
They are panty soaking gorgeous. Well, my panties would be soaked if I had any on. Don’t judge me I didn’t want panty lines.
The one on the left has blonde hair that is longer on the top and skinned at the sides. He has a trimmed beard and has the bluest eyes I have ever seen, with dark tattoos peeking up his neck and a silver nose ring.
The one in the middle has shoulder length dark brown hair that is in a low ponytail. His eyes are grey and he has a five o’clock shadow on his sharp jaw. He too has dark tattoos, but no piercings.
The one on the right he has red hair that is slicked back and deep brown eyes with his clean-shaven face. He has tattoos as well, even on his fingers and hands. Each of these men scream danger.
Oh s**t! These men are the Three Devil’s.
I find myself like the rest of the female population in this room, getting turned on by the sight of them. I look away as they walk past me and I look up just as each of them looks at me, even if it is briefly.
“Delaney, I need to go.” I say to him, because something is screaming inside of me that those men know who I am. And I don’t mean as Raven Knights. I mean, who I really am: Michaela Leanne Ricci.
“What? No, once the auction is done, I promise I will get you home. Please Rave.” I look around the room for a way out.
“I need to use the ladies room.” I say as I stand up and walk out as fast as I can. When I reach the washroom, I move to the sinks and hold on to the vanity and take a few controlled breaths. This has not happened before. What the f**k is wrong with me? Well, that is a stupid question. I think I’ve been made.
After I have composed myself, I look at myself in the mirror.
“Ok Michaela, you have got this.” I say to my reflection and put on my perfectly practiced smile and leave the washroom and head back into the grand hall.
“Now, the moment you have all been waiting for.” The emcee says again and I walk back to my table and Delaney smiles as I sit back down.
“The first item is utterly amazing, to say the least. Can Mr Delaney Pritchard please come to the stage.” I look at Delaney and he stands, and the room erupts into applause and he holds his hand out to me and I take it and stand.
We walk to the stage and I feel those eyes on me again. My heart is pounding in my chest as I walk up the steps and stand beside Delaney.
“Thank you Colin. Hello everyone. As you know, I’m Delaney Pritchard. We are all here to raise money for a wonderful cause so dig deep. As most of you know, we also auction evenings with high-profile celebrities. The lady beside me is the biggest female star in the adult industry. I know some, if not all of you have recognised her.” He chuckles, and so do some of the people in the room. Some men and women even cheer and I fight the urge to laugh, but I do wink.
“May I present you to Raven Knights.” He looks at me and the guests cheer and clap as I step forward like I’m a prized pony.
“Raven has been kind enough to auction an evening with her. But there will be conditions to that evening which will be discussed and agreed upon with the lucky man or woman who wins the bid.” Delaney says, and I want to throw up.
“We will start the bidding at …”
“Three Billion dollars for the week. From each of us.” Everyone gasps and murmurs rise. I look at who it was that said that and my eyes land on the Three Devils.
“Sold.” What? No!