The Auction
chapter 18

Tatina POV

I thought my life was finally getting better and here I am trapped in themiddle of something I do not understand yet again. I am scared but Iknow I have to be strong. I have to figure out how I can help and justdo it. Mr. Craig was so kind to me. Maybe he was only kind to me toget me in bed. Maybe he was planning to breed me and get rid of me.Jayne POV

I only wanted to help Tatina and Craig. I thought by suggesting Tatinato Craig he would see something in her and maybe feel better. I knowhe has been hurting since Julie died, but nothing excuses this behavior.If he is hurting women I could never forgive him. My main purpose willbe to help Tatina and to make sure she is taken care of. She doesn'tdeserve any of this. She doesn't deserve what her parents did to her orthis. She will get the life she deserves. I will see to it.

I look over at her in the other bed sleeping soundly. I know she isworried. I do not want her to have a single worry. Here we are askingher to go back to the house. How can we ask her to go back into thathouse knowing what Craig and that damn LILA are doing to women? Iwill be close but I cannot be there watching all the time.

We have another day to explore the city. I am sure Glenn will be closeby to help prep her for what is to come. I am not sure if I should textCraig or not. He may think it is odd if I do not text him. I will text himlater and let him know we are having fun. Maybe he will tell meeverything on his own. Maybe I can help him. Maybe not. I have to dowhat is right for Tatina first and foremost.

"Jayne," Tatina says softly.

"Yes, sweetie. Are you okay?" I ask.

I get out of the bed and walk over to her bed. I sit on the side of thebed.

"I am scared,” Tatina says.

I brush the hair out of her face. "Honey I am here for you. You do nothave to go back into that house. Whatever Craig is mixed up in you canjust walk away from it," I tell her.

"I cannot let him hurt any more girls. They deserve more than to end upa breeder to some vampire. That could have been me. I could haveended up being raped and breeding babies for some vampire. I cannotlet this happen,” Tatina says.

How brave she is. How can someone so young be so brave? "I will beright beside you through this," I say.

"I know you will," she says.

“Let's not worry about this right now. I want you to have one day. Justone day where you don't have to worry. Tomorrow I am taking on acarriage tour. We are going to have fun and not think about any ofthis," I say.

"You are too kind to me,” Tatina says.

"Get some sleep,” I tell her.

She covers herself up, rolls over, and goes back to sleep quickly. What aheavy load for a young woman to have to carry. If Craig hurts her if willnot have to worry about the vampire authority, I will kill him myself.My phone rings. I get up from Tatina's bed to check it. I pick it up offthe nightstand. It is Craig.

"Hello," I say.

"Hey, I know it's late. I wanted to check on her. I tried to text you butyou did not answer," Craig says.

"We are fine. We went out to eat. We walked around the city. I took herto the Blue's Bar. She is having a great time. I am taking her on acarriage tour tomorrow," I say.

I try to sound as normal as possible.

"Great. I knew you would show her a good time," he says.

"Is everything okay Craig. You sound a little worried?" I ask.

"No No, No Everything is perfect. She is perfect. I am happy for the firsttime in a long time," he says.

"I am happy to hear that. I wanted something good to come out of hersituation. Listen, I am taking some time off. I want to be close to herwhile she settles in. Is that okay with you?" I ask.

"Yeah Yeah. I would happy to have you around,” Craig says.

"Craig I know I have not been around much since Julie died. I want tobe here for you now," I say.

"I would like that," he says.

"I am going to get some sleep. I and Tatina have a big day tomorrow. Iwill text you tomorrow. You should come into the city tomorrow nightand eat dinner with us," I say.

"I will. Text me the details,” he says.

"Talk to you then, bye," I say.

I need to look Craig in the eye. I need to see if he is hiding somethingfrom me. I need to know. For now, I need to get some sleep so I canmake sure Tatina has a good day before she has to go back.

I put my phone back on charge. I pull the covers back and get into thebed. I curl up to go to sleep.

"Goodnight Tatina," I say softly.