Eleanor

You are the most valuable item up for auction. The hall was packed. The world's richest and, as some whispered, most dangerous people, accustomed to getting what they want at any cost, were gathered. They took turns taking the stage to announce their bids.

Finally, it was my turn. I stepped onto the stage, feeling hundreds of appraising glances, and announced my price: two billion dollars. You'd think such an astronomical sum would have been intimidating, but it wasn't. My price merely lit the fuse, and a veritable bidding war immediately unfolded for me.

An imposing man raised his hand first, immediately offering fifty million dollars more. Then, like predators scenting prey, others began to join in. Each new bid soared, beating the previous one by tens, even hundreds, of millions. There were many bidders, and the sum grew at an incredible rate, leaving the room in suspense.

The last man standing was the one who had bid three billion sixty million dollars. The auctioneer began the countdown. "Three... two..." On the final count, with the gavel hovering in midair, a commanding female voice rang out from the very depths of the hall, from the shadows of the last rows:

• Four billion dollars!

The girl raised her hand. Her face remained hidden in deep shadow, but her voice left no doubt. The auctioneer banged his gavel. "Sold!" his voice boomed, cutting through the din of the shocked hall. The winner slowly rose and, emerging from the auntie, beckoned me with a slight nod.

I recognized her instantly. It was she—the very woman whose name was whispered in the most dangerous circles, the most powerful and ruthless mafioso of our time. After all the formalities with payment were settled, we were already sitting in her armored black limousine.

Her gaze slid over me, cold and appraising. "Darling," she said, leaning forward slightly, "you're mine now. My most exclusive toy in my collection. And you know what? You won't be able to escape. I'll find you anywhere."