The other immortals at the table hooted their agreement, one adding that he had better use for her mouth.
It was getting harder to keep the panic at bay. They were talking about sharing her.
"Please. I really should?—"
"You should do what you're told." His grip tightened, pulling her more firmly against his chest. "Women were created for one purpose only, and that is to serve men. Know your place, female, or I'll teach you to obey."
Mattie caught movement in her peripheral vision, and for a moment, she feared that more immortals were joining the show, but it was Petrov, who was crossing the bar with a deceptively casual stride.
His face was relaxed, his body language loose and unthreatening, but the immortals noticed him.
"Excuse me," Petrov said pleasantly, stopping beside the table. "But you have my girl. She belongs to me."
The immortal holding her looked up, his expression shifting from predatory interest to threatening. "Your girl?"
"Yes." Petrov smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Lord Navuh gave Mattie to me as a gift. A reward for my excellent work on the enhancement project."
The arm around Mattie's waist loosened slightly. Not enough to free her, but enough to signal uncertainty.
"I have a hard time believing that," the immortal said, but his grip on Mattie had loosened further.
"You can verify it if you like." Petrov extended a hand toward Mattie. "In the meantime, I'd appreciate it if you returned my property. I don't like her being touched by other males, and I need her to get me a drink."
A tense moment stretched between them. The immortal's eyes moved from Petrov to Mattie to the other commanders at his table, calculating risks and rewards.
Then he shoved Mattie off his lap with a grunt of disgust. "Fine. Take her. But if I find out you're lying..."
"As I said, you're welcome to ask Lord Navuh yourself." Petrov took Mattie's hand and pulled her smoothly to her feet, tucking her under his arm in a possessive gesture.
One of the other immortals leaned forward. "You already have a woman at the brothel, and you monopolize all of her time."
"So? I have a voracious appetite." Petrov patted his substantial belly and laughed. "One woman is never enough, and I'm definitely worth two to Lord Navuh. He said I can get as many as I want, but for now, two will do."
Skeptical glances were exchanged around the table, but no one challenged him further. The immortal who had grabbed her reached for his drink, looking eager to move past the embarrassing moment, and his companions followed suit.
Petrov pressed a kiss to the top of Mattie's head and gave her a gentle pat on her bottom. "Get back to work, sweet girl," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear.
She nodded and walked away on shaky legs, collecting empty glasses and taking new orders with unsteady hands. When shepassed Petrov's table a few minutes later, she paused to kiss his cheek.
"Thank you," she whispered against his skin.
His hand caught her arm. "Play along," he murmured back. "They're still watching."
He pulled her down into his lap, and Mattie went willingly, settling against his barrel chest and resting her head on his shoulder. His arm came around her, heavy and warm, and he patted her back in a rhythm that was oddly soothing.
It reminded her of her father.
The thought came unbidden, bringing with it a pang of loss so sharp it made her eyes sting. Her father used to hold her like this when she was small, patting her back while she cried over skinned knees, schoolyard mishaps, and spats with her friends.
Petrov was about fifteen to twenty years older than her, hardly old enough to be her father, but he was older than her father had been when he'd held her like that, and right now, tucked against his solid warmth, protected by his fake claim, she felt something she hadn't felt since the traffickers had taken her.
Safe.
It wouldn't last.
The ruse would fall apart eventually, and then they'd all be in trouble. But in this fleeting moment, she was safe.
Mattie closed her eyes and allowed herself to pretend that it was real.
