Artur walked ahead, and his men flanked me on either side. I clung to the hope that someone would come for me. But even as that thought ran through my mind, I didn’t believe I would get lucky. It wasn’t just the situation, but Artur as well.
We reached a large door, and he opened it. On entering inside, he paused, and so did the men beside me. He turned to me with the same dark aura I saw the first time we met. His gaze made my knees weak, but I forced myself to hold my ground.
“Take her to my office,” he ordered, his voice a low growl.
The men nodded, and without another word, Artur strode down the hall. Even as he walked away, I could still feel his presence. The men led me in the opposite direction. We arrived at the door of what I could only assume was his office, and they shoved me inside.
They left without a word, leaving me alone in the office. I was once again a prisoner. The room was as imposing as the exterior of the house. A desk sat at the center with a dark leather chair behind it and countless pictures on the walls. The weight of everything here pressed down on me, each item designed to intimidate me.
The door clicked open before I could fully process mysurrounding. I turned, hoping it was Artur, but another man stepped inside. His grin was far too wide, almost predatory, and my gut twisted at the sight of him. I took a cautious step back. Something about him sent a chill down my spine.
“Well, well, well,” the man said with a voice that didn’t match the situation. “Look what we have here.”
He shut the door behind him and shoved his hands into his pockets. He stood taller than me, but shorter than Artur, and his black tee did little to hide his muscled body. His hair was damp, sticking to his forehead like he had just come from the shower. There was something too relaxed about his demeanor. I could tell he knew he was in control here.
“Fuck. She is a gold,” he muttered in his thick Russian accent, his eyes scanning me with disturbing interest. “I’m Renat, by the way. You must be worth a fortune.”
The panic returned, flooding my chest. I swallowed and tried to steady my breath, hating the way he looked at me like I was nothing more than a prize to be claimed. I stayed put as he closed the distance between us.
His hands landed on my shoulders, and I cringed. “How much did he buy you? You must be worth a fortune if heboughtyou when we still have a ton of bitches waiting to be sold.”
The words hit me like a slap, but I didn’t react. I couldn’t let his comment tear through me, but my foot instinctively shifted back as I took in his words.
“What do you mean?” I asked. Every part of me was on edge as I fought to hold myself together.
I didn’t know what this business was, but I hated every second of this conversation.
He raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes.
“Wait.” Moving toward the desk, he sat on it and crossed his arms. “Didn’t they explain your reason for being here? That’s sad.”
“You have the wrong person,” I said, hoping this one would listen and believe me. “I’m the wrong person.”
But his gaze sharpened, and a smile spread across his face as he leaned back. “It’s been a month since I heard they were stalking an important enemy.” My stomach twisted, but I stood firm. “And here you are, right in our hands. Wow, my brother is one of a kind, don’t you think so?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. They found me at Marco’s house, but I’d done nothing wrong. The image of the chef’s lifeless body flashed in my mind, and my steps faltered. These men were dangerous.
“What did I do?” I asked, forcing myself to meet his gaze even as my heart raced.
Exhaling, Renat stood and covered the gap, looming over me. “I like your type. When the boss lets you join the other goddamn whores, I will make you mine.” He ran a thumb over my chin, and I flinched. “You look fresh and edible.”
The urge to shove him made me fist my hands at my sides. Anger pulsed through me, but I kept my face stoic.
“I love sluts like you. They are sweet in bed.”
“I’m not a slut,” I spat at him.
Before he could respond, the door flew open. Artur stepped inside, his icy stare shifting from Renat to me. I didn’t let my relief show, but the air shifted.
Renat turned to him. “I like this one,” he said, taking a step toward Artur. His gaze flickered back to me. “Let me know when she’s free.”
Artur didn’t glance at him. “Leave us.”
Renat left the room, leaving me trapped in suffocating silence. I despised Artur with every fiber of my being, yet he was the one holding my fate in his hands. I needed answers.
Artur’s gaze lasered into me, his expression so void of emotions that it made me coil. “Until your parents deliver what Idemand, you remain my property.”
Property?I wanted to protest, to say this wasn’t fair, but I knew better. My voice meant nothing here.