“I’ve been out,” I tell her.
And just like that, I realize her tactic worked. I’m explaining myself.
"What room did he put you in?" I ask.
She gestures at the door directly beside mine. “Right there.”
“That’s my room,” I hiss, pointing to the door just ten feet down the hall.
She smirks. "Isn't that cozy? I guess he wants to keep me close to my captors."
Next to mine. Not across the hall. Not down the corridor. Directly adjacent, with just a wall between us.
Roman did this deliberately. Butwhy?
“You knew,” I say.
“Knew what?”
“Where my room is. Don’t tell me you forgot.”
She sighs. “Maksim, I didn’t manipulate this. Do you honestly think I would beg to sleep next door to the man that wants to kill me?”
“I never said I wanted to kill you.”
“I’m sorry…destroyme. Same difference.”
I’m not going to deny it.
I nod and step around her to go to my door. I need to get away from her. She looks too good. Too…tempting.
And that’s exactly what Roman wants. I know what he’s doing. I will not play his fucked-up games. If he thinks I’m going to get into some sharing thing, it’s never going to happen.
I don’t share.
Once he has her, she’s his.
Just as I’m about to step inside, I feel her.
I close my eyes and fight back the urge to grab her. She’s moved closer. Her breath brushes over the back of my arm.
"Can I talk to you?" Her voice is barely above a whisper. The snark is gone replaced with desperation. "Please. Just five minutes."
I should say no. Should go to my room and lock the door and pretend I never saw her.
I turn to look at her over my shoulder, ready to say just that, but the fear in her eyes stops me.
"Fine. Five minutes." I glance down the hallway again. "But not out here."
"Your room or mine?" The question has an edge of hysteria.
"Neither." I head for a small sitting room at the end of the hall—one of many scattered throughout the estate. "There."
I’m not going to let myself be alone with her. I don’t have the self-control not to take advantage of a bed.
She follows me without making a sound. I close the door behind us. The room is dark except for moonlight through the windows. Safer this way. Less chance of being seen.
"Talk," I say. "Quickly."
