Being alone with Renat always gave me anxiety, a slow, simmering fear that settled in my stomach. It had been a whilesince our paths crossed, and I relished that distance.
He led me into a room that seemed out of place for someone like him, an office lined with shelves of books. If the circumstances had been different, I might have asked to borrow a few novels to distract myself from the nightmare of this mansion.
“Sit,” he ordered, gesturing to a chair near his desk.
“I’m fine standing,” I replied calmly, despite the nerves gnawing at me.
He raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
Renat leaned back against the edge of his table, picking up an iPad. “I want you to look at this.”
His eyes glittered with something to fear. I took it reluctantly, and the moment the video played, my stomach twisted. The screen showed me standing with Salva back at the party. My breath caught as the images played out in clarity. Someone was watching in hiding, capturing the whole moment. My hand trembled as I lowered the iPad.
“You knew,” I whispered.
Renat’s smirk widened. “Of course, I knew.” He took the device from me, setting it aside. “Did you think I wouldn’t? You poisoned the food.”
I shook my head, trying to piece together his motives. “I don’t … I don’t understand.”
He let out a low, chilling chuckle. “You think I hate you? No, Alessia. I needed everyone to think I hated you. It made things easier. I’ve been watching you since I found out you dated Marco.”
Hearing Marco’s name hit like a slap to the face.
“I worried you’d ruin my plans with Marco and Salva,” Renat continued. “That’s why I pushed and tested you, to see if you were loyal to anyone. And you passed. You’re clueless, just like I thought.”
He smiled again, that same unnerving curve of his lips. My chest tightened. The weight of his words pressed down on me, each revelation sinking deeper into my gut. He was working with Marco and Salva?
“I’m deleting the video.” His tone was casual, as if we were discussing the weather. He tapped a few times on the iPad. “There. You’re clean.”
I blinked. “Why?”
His smile turned predatory. “Because I want something from you.”
I stepped back to create space between us, but he got up and closed the distance.
“What do you want, Renat?” My hands clenched into fists at my sides.
His gaze burned into mine, filled with a dark hunger. “I want you.” I jerked away as his hand reached for me. Renat chuckled. “You don’t need Marco. Forget him. He’s a pawn in all of this. You’re mine now, Alessia.”
The thought turned my stomach, but I forced myself to keep my composure. “Will Marco get me out of here?”
He scoffed, his amusement dripping with disdain. “Marco? That idiot doesn’t even know what game he’s playing. Stop hoping for a rescue. You belong to me now.”
I clenched my teeth. “What if I say no?”
His smirk faltered for a moment, replaced by a flicker of annoyance. “No? That’s not an option.”
“Fine. I will tell Artur.”
His brows drew together. “Artur? The dog you poisoned?” I gulped, not sure if I wanted to think about his words. But I sure got the point that Artur was the dog’s name. “Oh, you think Artur is the boss’s name?” He laughed. “Just how stupid are you?”
“I don’t care, but I will tell the boss the truth,” I shot back in astronger voice. I am done. I can’t.”
Renat’s mocking laughter echoed again through the room. “The boss trusts his family, Alessia. He’ll believe me over a pawn like you any day.”
“You already killed someone to frame me,” I snapped. “How long before you slip up?”
He stepped closer again, his hand gripping my shoulder. “You’re brave for someone in your position,” he murmured. “But let’s make this simple. You’re going to do one more thing for me.”