I must have fallen asleep at some point last night, while trying to keep vigil for Michelangelo’s return.
But he never came back to my room, and an intense wave of relief washes through my stiff body to know that I made it through one more day without being violated.
Slowly unfolding myself, I stretch the limbs that spent too many hours tense with anticipation, then I peer out the window to guess what time it is.
The golden light is soft on the horizon, the landscape outside still cast in long shadows of the early morning.
Several Chiaroscuro men walk the perimeter of the property, but other than that, the compound looks oddly at peace—like the violence from the day before never happened.
A soft rap on my door pulls my focus to the far side of the bedroom, and my heart quickens.
“Yes?” I say, my brow furrowing when the person doesn’t just barge in after announcing their presence.
Once I speak, the handle turns, and a slight figure slips wordlessly into the room.
“Chastity,” I gasp, my gratitude at seeing her alive and well so overwhelming, it brings tears to my eyes. I rush across the room to pull my lady’s maid into a fierce hug.
She returns the gesture with just as much desperation, her slim arms tight around my ribcage.
“I’ve been so worried for you,” I breathe, holding her at an arm’s length so I can inspect her for any injuries.
“I’m fine,gospozha,” she assures me.
“What happened out there?” I press, giving her hands a squeeze.
“The Chiaroscuro men rounded up all the staff and questioned us about how long we’d been in the house and where our loyalties might lie,” Chastity explains, her round brown eyes wide with disbelief. “Any members he deemed trustworthy, he let go back to work.”
“And the others?” I ask, swallowing painfully as I think about what’s become of those poor souls.
“He’s keeping them locked away for now, with the promise to release them once he’s sure he can trust their loyalty.”
They didn’t execute anyone?
A dizzying relief sweeps through me. From what it sounded like, when Pyotr raided the Chiaroscuro estate, they didn’t hesitate to make a massacre of it, so that’s what I’d been picturing all night.
But it would seem the Chiaroscuros have an ounce of mercy in their blood after all—or at least, their new leader does.
The realization hits me then that this raid couldn’t have been initiated by Don Augusta. He’s dead. Pyotr made sure of that.
“Wait, who’s this ‘he’?” I ask, trying to recall the Chiaroscuro heir’s name. “Who was in charge of yesterday’s attack?”
“The oldest brother, it would seem, Michelangelo. He’s the one the men deferred to anyway. And he asked specifically aboutyourmaid. I was so scared when he pulled me aside for questioning. Talk about intimidating, but he just asked a few questions and decided to let me go back to my duties… with the warning that if I help you escape, he won’t hesitate to kill me.” A shudder ripples through Chastity at the memory, and her eyes are sympathetic. “I’m so sorry,gospozha. I didn’t know what else to do but agree.”
“Don’t be sorry,” I assure her, pulling her in for another hug. “I’m just glad you’re alright.”
Chastity nods, squeezing me in return.
“How many were injured?” I press.
“Soldiers?” Chastity steps back, shaking her head. “I can’t say—more than I could count.”
“And the staff?” They’re the ones I feel worst about.
Most of them are good people, with nothing to do with my husband’s brutal business. Pyotr’s men are different.
They chose a life of violence and crime. They knew the risks. But the house staff are just ordinary people trying to make a living in this unforgiving world. I can’t imagine how terrified they must have been.
“Two are missing, Alek and Ivan, but Yelena said she saw them make it to the property line—so they could have escaped. The rest are fine.” Chastity sounds almost baffled, and I can hardly blame her. For how bloody my experience of yesterday was, I can hardly believe so many innocent people could have made it out alive.
