I stopped and gasped. It was Matvet. Memories struck hard just from looking at him. I was supposed to poison him. He stepped closer, his brows drawing down in concern.
“You okay?” he asked.
I nodded too fast but couldn’t meet his eyes for long. Matvet had been nothing but kind to me. And yet, it was either him or Carina. And God help me, I would always choose her.
He reached out and touched my forehead. “Are you sick?”
I flinched and stepped back again. “No. I’m fine,” I whispered.
He held my gaze for a second longer, then nodded. “The boss is out for a few hours. You can rest until he’s back.”
“Okay.” I turned and left. I had a few hours to plan.
I locked the door in the nearest washroom and sat on the toilet. It felt like my bones couldn’t hold me anymore. My brainreplayed everything: the attack, chaos, screaming, and bullets. Artur shielded me with his body, holding me like I meant something. Like I wasn’t the goddamn reason behind it all.
He again saved me from death and let me sleep in his bed. Wait, did he see the pills? He saved me while I was wearing only my bra and panties. My stomach twisted. What if he did?
Renat knew about the pills, and that meant he knew about the attack. He was Artur’s enemy, but proving it to Artur would be difficult. I didn’t have any choice left. Artur was my only hope.
He hated me, and he admitted it. But he wasn’t blind or stupid. If I could show him what I knew and make him believe me, I might have a chance at saving Carina and my family.
But I’d be turning in his brother. I could die for it. Still, I would beg on my knees if that was what it took. I’d bear everything because their lives were worth the risk. And this time, I’d rather die telling the truth than live carrying another lie.
The hours dragged like chains around my ankles. I kept to the girls’ quarters, tucked away like a coward, avoiding Renat. I couldn’t meet him yet, but I hoped he didn’t touch anyone. Was he watching me silently? He gave me today only, so I knew he was watching me.
When Artur returned, I felt it before I saw him. I left to find him and talk to him in his office. I was desperate. If there were even a sliver of a chance to save people, I would take it or beg for it. I reached the door and paused.
Lifting my hand to knock, I failed and lowered it. Was this smart? Was I walking into my execution? I knocked once and waited, but nothing came.
My fingers trembled against the heavy wood. This was a mistake, so I turned to leave, heart sinking. But I froze when I met Artur standing right in front of me. He buried his hands deep in his pockets.
I stepped back, hiding my clenched fist behind me. The pillspressed into my palm like a curse. Artur didn’t speak. He brushed past me like I was nothing but a smudge on his path, pushed the door open, and walked in.
But he didn’t shut it. He left it open. And before it could swing closed, I slipped in.
The click of the door locking behind me felt like a verdict. Artur stood by his desk as he folded his shirt sleeve, his eyes fixed on the iPad resting on the table. The screen flickered, but I couldn’t see what held his attention. His jaw muscles tightened.
I swallowed. “Sir,” I croaked out, clearing my throat as I moved closer. “I wanted to tell you something.”
He didn’t look up. I hesitated, then moved to the desk. Each step felt like crossing a line I wouldn’t come back from.
My fingers uncurled slowly, the pills warm from my skin, and I placed them beside the device. Artur finally looked up. His eyes met mine, and his hands returned to his pockets.
We stood there in silence. He waited and watched as I stood there with my heart in my throat. I knew this could be the last thing I ever did.
“I am sorry.” I pointed to the pills like they were the remains of my guilt. My voice cracked before it even left me. “Back at the party. Salvatore gave me those pills. I didn’t want to take them. I told him no. But then he made me talk to my father. And when I heard my father’s voice, I thought that was the only way.”
My throat closed. I forced the next part out like a confession at a grave. “Salvatore said if you took one, you’d pass out for a few hours. Then they’d rescue me. That was the plan.”
Stupid. Pathetic. Used. That’s what I was. And God, I tried. But I was drowning. My fingers twisted in front of me.
“I’ll do anything you ask. But you have to help my friend.” I finally met his eyes, which was a mistake.
Artur stared at me like he was deciding how best to make me disappear—kill me or exile me.
I broke the silence with another whisper. “I know you don’t believe me. But Renat threatened to kill my friend Carina. He said if I don’t poison Matvet, she’d die. He said I had to get him out of the way.”
Artur shifted, crossing his arms over his chest.