Wanting to test Lara some more, I ask, “If I were to let you go, would you run back to Mazur?”
Lara’s fair complexion turns pale, her eyes looking twice their size. Her breathing picks up until they’re short bursts of air over her lips.
Her reaction tells me everything I need to know. She can’t go back because he’d probably kill her.
Fuck, this woman is of no value to me. She knows nothing.
I gather the bullets from the armrest and slowly push each one back into the clip. When the clip clicks into place in the gun, Lara closes her eyes. A visible tremble shudders through her, her fear palpable in the air.
“You have no documents, no belongings, and nowhere to go.”
Slowly, her eyes open. They’re dull and empty again.
She thinks I’m going to kill her and is already mentally checking out.
Rising to my feet, I move closer. I lift the gun, training the barrel on her. “Give me a reason to not kill you.”
She lifts her chin, and her gaze locks with mine. “I’m a good maid.”
“I already have a housekeeper.”
Downright terrified, she whispers, “I won’t tell anyone about you.”
“That’s not a chance I’m prepared to take.”
Her shoulders hunch as if she’s trying to make herself a smaller target, then the woman surprises me when she drops down on her knees.
I’ve never had anyone kneel before me. No one has lived long enough to beg for their lives.
“Please.” The word is strained with unshed tears, yet her cheeks remain dry. “I’ll work my fingers to the bone.”
Nisa could use the help, and should Mazur find out I have Lara, it might piss him off enough to make contact with me. I know I’d hate it if he had one of my employees.
Tucking the gun behind my back, I turn around and walk to the door as I say. “You start tomorrow. You’ll do exactly as Nisa instructs. Break any of the rules, and you won’t get a second chance.”
I open the door and glance back at Lara, who’s gaping at me in utter shock.
“Under no circumstances are you allowed to enter the east wing of the house. The punishment will be death.”
Still kneeling, she respectfully murmurs, “Yes, sir.”
Stalking out of the bedroom, I stop to talk with Murat. “From tomorrow, Lara will start helping Nisa Hanim. You’re to keep an eye on her at all times. Move her to the room next to Nisa Hanim’s. She’s not allowed near the east wing. I don’t want any contact between my grandmother and the woman.”
“Evet.”
Only time will tell whether I did the right thing by sparing Lara’s life.
Chapter 9
Lara
Still reeling from one hundred percent believing Gabriel was going to kill me, I slump onto my butt.
What just happened?
I wrap an arm around my tender waist, my breaths coming too fast, my heart hammering against my ribs.
God, that was close.
Gasping, I try to grasp the fact that I’ll be working for Gabriel.
It’s a way out. At least I’m alive.
I’ll work hard, so he doesn’t regret sparing me.
So far, everything is different here. They give me three meals a day, where we only got dinner at Tymon’s.
Gabriel is scary as hell. With Tymon, I at least knew when to expect a slap, a whipping, a broken arm or ribs.
I’m confused, struggling to keep control of my emotions while still healing from the gunshot wounds and whipping to my back.
Everything is different. I’ve been dropped into a world where I don’t know the rules.
Murat, the man who’s been guarding me, comes into the room. Quickly, I climb to my feet, the long dress swooshing around my legs. I’ve never worn anything so colorful.
When Murat comes right at me, I move backward until I bump into the bedside table.
“Relax, I’m taking off the shackle,” he mutters.
On guard for any sudden movements from him, I watch as he crouches in front of me and unlocks the shackle. The metal falls away from my ankle.
Before the thought can cross my mind, he says, “If you try to run, I’ll shoot you. Just do as you’re told, and you’ll be fine.”
I nod quickly while he straightens up again.
Murat locks eyes with me. “I’ll watch your every move, so don’t try anything.”
I nod again.
“You’re not allowed near the east wing of the house.”
Good. Rules. I need to know them so I won’t get in trouble.
“You are not allowed to talk or look at Mrs. Demir.”
Gabriel’s married? Not that it matters. I’ll stay away from her if that’s what they want.
“Just do a good job. Okay?”
I nod, still unable to process what’s happening.
“Gather the clothes and follow me,” Murat instructs.
I do as I’m told, and with my arms filled with the nightgowns, dresses, and underwear I was given, I follow Murat out of the place I’ve been held the past week, which seems to be at the back of a large property.