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I could tell her I’m taking a vacation. A small trip away, something to ease my mind about the transition of losing our dance studio. She’d understand that, right? But the thought of lying to my mom feels manipulative. Then again, what lie doesn’t?
And frankly, it’s not the first time I’ve lied to her.
Two taps, and then the bedroom door swings open to reveal a woman older than my mother. Her short hair is streaked white and gray, like a birch tree in winter. She’s wearing a stiff dress the color of mud that covers her from her wrists to her ankles. The only color on her is the twin sapphire studs in her ears. They match the discerning eyes that follow my hand as I shove my phone under a pillow.
“Dobriy vecher,” she says. “You must be Galina. I’m Ulyana Nazarova, the head of the household staff.”
“Dobriy vecher,” I greet her cautiously. If she works for Arsen, she’s as much of an enemy as the men who roughed me up earlier.
“You don’t need to keep secrets, Galina. It’s fine for you to use your phone.”
Hesitating, I slide my hands into my lap, leaving my phone hidden under the pillow. “Seems weird for a hostage to be allowed to make phone calls at will.”
“I assure you, Arsen doesn’t mind.”
My lips twist into a cynical smile. “Did he send you in here to spy on me?”
“I came to check if you needed anything.”
“A one-way ticket to Cabo would be fantastic right about now.”
She narrows her eyes, not smiling at my joke. “I understand if you’re not happy with the arrangement, but if you take a minute to consider how lucky you are, your mindset will change.”
I clutch the blankets while quivering with laughter. “Sorry, did you call this an arrangement? He literally kidnapped me and is holding me prisoner.”
“This is nothing like that.”
Lifting my arms, I gesture at the walls dramatically. “I’m not allowed to leave. What else do you call this but a prison?”
She’s steady as a mountain in posture and tone. “Arsen is keeping you safe.”
“That’s what he says,” I mutter.
Pursing her lips, Ulyana gazes at me down the slope of her elegant nose. “A caged bird yearns for freedom without realizing the dangers that stalk every beat of its wings beyond its cage. You know nothing about what else is out there, Galina.”
“You mean Yevgeniy? Yeah. He told me already.”
“Then you know why he cannot allow you to leave.”
Scoffing, I jump off the bed; I can’t hold still anymore, so I begin to pace. “He loves playing games with me! I can’t stand people like that. All my life, my family has done things the honest way!”
“I’m sure.” Ulyana ticks her head a single degree to the right. “It’s understandable for children to be naive about their own parents.”
My heel slams down hard on the floor. I pivot to face her. “What the fuck does that mean?” Her lack of emotion is perplexing. I can’t get a bead on what she’s feeling, what her intent is.
With her hands crossed daintily at her middle, she approaches me. When I retreat, she freezes where she is.
“Arsen doesn’t seek someone out without a good reason. He most certainly doesn’t bring women like … you,” she frowns disapprovingly at me, “back to his mansion. You are here for a reason, and that reason is kept from you for an even better one.”
Heat washes up into my face. “Excuse me?” Women like me?
“Good night, Galina.” Bowing her head, she pivots, exiting the room as smoothly as she arrived. I watch for a moment, unsure how to interpret her cryptic words. As much as that woman got under my skin, part of me wishes she’d come back. It was nice to talk to someone … And she definitely knows a lot about Arsen.
Arsen ...
His smirking face wanders into my mind. He’s awful, no question, and his handsome features make that worse. The longer I dwell on him, the more my thoughts shift from disgust to intrigue. Ulyana was practically begging me to trust him. She thinks he has a good reason for bringing me here, something worth forgiving his methods.
Craning my neck, I rub it with a groan. I’m sticky from all my fearful sweating. This night has been a trial on my mind and body. I walk over to the attached bathroom and take a peek. It’s glorious, better than any hotel I’ve stayed at. Granted, I never stayed in any truly fancy place—Dad would never waste such money on trivial things—but I’ve browsed my share of TikTok.
