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I untie her wrists, noting the red rope burns on her skin. I clamp my jaw tightly, anger coursing through me. I pull the thick tape from her mouth and she cries out. Her lips are dry and chapped, and the tape ripped some of the skin away and blood now coats her lips. I pull the rag from her mouth and gently dab it away. “You can’t be making a fuss,” I tell her.
“I was cold,” she croaks.
I glance at Maxim, who shrugs again. “Was I supposed to ask her if she was comfortable?”
I ignore him, shrugging from my jacket and hanging it over her shoulders. “Sleep,” I tell her, stepping away.
She looks around in disgust. “Where?”
“I don’t care,” I mutter, heading for the stairs. “Just keep quiet.”
Maxim locks the door behind us. “How long are we keeping her down there?”
“Until I say otherwise.”
“Did the meeting go well?”
“Yes,” I mutter, going into the kitchen.
Maria is stirring something, and I peer over her shoulder. “Make sure the girl gets some,” I tell her, and she nods. “Sit with her while she eats,” I add as an afterthought.
It’s almost seven. I pour myself a third drink and leave out the ice. Stepping out onto the balcony of my bedroom, I stare into the dark fields that lay beyond the house. It’s the ideal location—close enough to drive into the city for business, yet far enough away that there’s an eerie silence at night only filled with wildlife.
I wander back into my room and head out across the landing until I’m outside Lara’s door. I stare at it, wondering what scares me most of all, the fact she isn’t in there waiting for me or the fact that her belongings are the only thing I have left, and if I go in there, I might lose my mind and finally give in to the rage that’s been waiting to take me for the last six months.
Damaging her things will break me once again, and I don’t know how much control I have over myself. I inhale deeply and hold it in while I remove the key from the frame above the door and insert it into the lock. It clicks, and I release a nervous breath as I push the door open.
After Lara had gone, I refused to come back in here. It was her space, untouched by anyone but her. Maria occasionally comes in here to open a window and air it, but she’s under strict instructions not to touch anything. Lara was chaos and mess—this room showcases her personality perfectly, and I’ll kill anyone who messes with that.
CHAPTER FOUR
GRACE
“I’m Maria.” The woman shifts closer, laying a tray down on the ground. Its contents smell amazing, and my stomach grumbles loudly. Maria chuckles. “Borscht,” she clarifies, nodding at the bowl of steaming soup. “In Russia, they say this is a poor man’s meal, but it’s a favourite in this house.”
“Are you from Russia?” I ask, watching as she slides the tray closer.
“No, I’m from Poland originally, but I’ve been here for ten years.”
“Do you know why I’m here?” I whisper, taking the bowl from the tray and bringing it to my mouth. I sip the borscht and close my eyes as the warmth runs through my body. The flavours hit my tongue and I groan in delight. It’s the best tasting thing I’ve had in months.
“I know nothing. I am told to feed the men, so I feed them. I don’t ask questions.”
“They took me,” I whisper, glancing past her to make sure there’s no one listening from the steps. “I need help.”
“If you have favourite foods, maybe I can make them. You need to eat more. You’re all bones.” Maria heads towards the steps.
“Please,” I hiss desperately, “get help.” Maria smiles awkwardly before rushing up the steps, closing the door and locking it securely. “Damn it,” I mutter.
I finish the meal and drink some water. Wrapping Ivan’s jacket around myself tighter, I press my nose into the material and inhale his spicy, expensive scent.
Cold water hits my face and I gasp for breath, jumping up from the floor. My body protests, and pains shoot through my knees and back as the blood rushes back into my limbs. “Jesus,” I scream, looking at Igor holding a now empty bucket of water.
“The boss wants to see you.”
I use Ivan’s jacket to wipe my face. “There are better ways to wake me,” I snap.
Igor slaps me. It’s unexpected and I stumble back, clutching a hand to my cheek as I crash against the wall. He moves in close, grabbing a handful of my hair. “Let me be very clear, bezdomnaya devushka.Homeless girl. When he gets bored of you, I’ll be first in line to teach that smart mouth of yours a painful lesson.”
