His lips curved into a sly grin. “I’m glad you’re aware of your position.” His gaze roamed over me, lingering too long on my chest. “You look good, by the way.”
“Thank you. Please excuse me. I have to serve the boss.”
Spinning on my heel, I flipped my hair as I exaggerated the sway of my hips. I’d barely rounded the corner when I spotted Artur. His cold eyes were watching me. When I was finally out of their sight, I let out a breath, a small smile curling the edges ofmy lips.
God, that felt good.
The kitchen bustled as the chef barked instructions while assistants scurried around. I plastered a polite smile, wheeling my trolley into place. As the chef worked the blender and his assistants scrubbed dishes, I slipped one capsule out of my bra, fingers trembling. With one twist, the seam split. Adrenaline coursed through me as I dusted the white powder over almost every dish. I always set both the starter and main meal. Some nights, Artur would skip the starter and go straight to the main course.
When the door creaked open, I froze, forcing calm over my features. A kitchen helper walked in without sparing me a glance. My pulse slowed, but the most challenging part was done.
Within a few minutes, I was in Artur’s apartment. It was quiet, except for Matvet, who was on the phone. He eyed me like a man deciding whether to bury or use me. His gaze softened for a fraction of a second before hardening again. Whatever he must have thought, he hid it quickly.
He nodded to me before leaving. I took it as an unspoken acknowledgment. We were both ready.
Artur entered minutes later, his suit immaculate. It was black as night, tailored to his frame. My stomach twisted as I set the dishes on the table.
The dog padded in behind him, and when it saw me, it came bounding toward me. I smiled, crouching to pat his head.
Artur sat and served himself, starting with a salad. God, this was difficult to watch. My heart hammered in my chest as I started for the door.
“Sit,” he commanded. I froze. Was he talking to the dog? Another step toward the door. “I said, sit.”
I turned, my finger hovering over my chest. “Me?”
His eyes made it clear he wasn’t answering that. I crossed the room and dropped into the chair furthest from him, putting distance where words couldn’t. He ate slowly, his gaze cutting to me between bites like I was just another problem he hadn’t decided how to deal with yet.
“Why are you nervous?”
Forcing a steadying breath, I lifted my chin and told him, “The meeting.” I couldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing what was in store for him. “It makes me uneasy.”
“Why?”
“Bad history,” I said, fumbling for a plausible excuse. “Meetings and I don’t mix.”
His skeptical gaze cut through me like a knife. “I’m listening.”
“It’s…” My throat tightened. I didn’t have a story prepared. “It’s a long story, sir.”
He leaned back, wiping his mouth. Was he done eating? What about the steak? “Twenty minutes.”
Standing up to my feet, I pushed the chair back with too much force. “Thank you, I’ll need those twenty minutes to get ready.”
“Sit the fuck down, Alessia.”
“Sir—” My voice broke with frustration. “I’m a mess right now. Can I at least use the washroom before we leave?” I held his gaze, challenging him. “Please.”
He stared for a long moment, then waved me off like speaking to me was a waste of words. I didn’t wait for a second dismissal. I slipped out, letting the door click shut behind me. Tremors hit my legs, and my hands shook. I couldn’t stay there any longer. I would’ve cracked and stopped him from eating the steak. But I couldn’t afford to break now. Not when everything was already in motion.
Freedom was the only thing that mattered. So I walked away. All he needed to be was unconscious, and my father would take care of the rest. My way out was already waiting.
Twenty minutes crawled by, each second stretching thin with tension. Anxiety clawed at my insides like a wild animal. We were already outside the mansion, two black cars ready to roll out for the meeting. But Artur was late.
That small detail caused my chest to tighten. My plan may have worked. If he were already unconscious, Matvet would inform Salva, and the rescue mission would come for me.
But the silence didn’t sit right, especially with Matvet waiting outside with me. Something felt off.
Matvet leaned against one car in a casual posture. He looked unbothered, the epitome of calm, but his eyes betrayed him. He was assessing every movement around the estate. I envied his composure.