“Mr. Petkov asked whether I’d allow him to date you.”
Her lips part for a second, but she processes the shock quickly. She swallows before she meets Petkov’s eyes. “I’m flattered, but I have to decline. I’m focused on business right now and will only consider dating in a year or so.”
She’s taking me into consideration, knowing I need time to adjust to the promotion I just gave her, never mind her dating a mafia boss.
Christ, if things work out between them, I would have to leave her behind in Bulgaria.
Panic ripples through me.
Raya picks up on it and gives my hand a quick squeeze before pulling back.
Luckily, Petkov doesn’t push the subject but concedes with a nod.
Thank fuck. It feels like I just dodged a bullet.
Chapter4
Nina
I resist the urge to touch the earpiece I’m forced to wear. Worried it’s visible, I once again make sure my hair covers my ear as I walk through the lobby of the five-star hotel. I’m wearing a dark burgundy silk cocktail dress that’s too short, along with five-inch heels, and my hair is up with a few curls framing my face, which is covered in makeup exactly the way Boris likes it. The lipstick is bold, matching the dress.
My skin is already crawling as if I’m covered in filth.
The gold floral brooch pinned to my chest contains a camera so Boris can see everything.
One slip up and he’ll punish Simi.
Even though I’ve done this before, it doesn’t make it any easier. Nerves spin wildly in my stomach, and I’m nauseated.
You’re doing this for Simi.
I can feel men’s eyes follow me as I walk, and when I take the carpeted steps down to the bar area, a group sitting at a nearby table notices me. They proceed to stare, and one of the men whispers, “Fuck, look at that body.” My skin crawls at his remark. “Dressed like that, it’s clear she’s here for dick. I’m going to shoot my shot.”
Doing my best to ignore them, I continue moving toward the bar. More men notice me, and soon, there are a few blatantly ogling me.
My stomach churns, and I clutch my purse tighter.
I suppress every instinct in me that wants to turn around and leave before this goes any further. The noise of the baris overwhelming, a mix of low voices, glasses clinking, music humming in the background.
Apprehension crawls beneath my skin, and my pulse starts to speed up, sharp and fast.
I concentrate on keeping my breaths even and do my best to hide the fact that I’m seconds away from unraveling.
The tiny camera hidden in the brooch feels like it’s burning my skin right through the fabric of the dress, and it’s a constant reminder that I somehow have to seduce a dangerous man.
Just get through this for Simi.
The thought of my precious daughter is enough to make me focus on the other people in the bar.
I glance over the room, trying to act as if I belong here. I take in the tables, two exits, and faces I don’t care about.
As I wait for Boris to give me my next instruction, my gaze moves over a man who’s sitting alone at a table, and before I can process it, my eyes snap back to him.
A different kind of nervous sensation ripples through my body as I stare at him.
His attention is on his phone, and he’s not doing anything that sets him apart from the others, but still, he holds my attention.
Because of everything I’ve been forced to endure, I’m disgusted by men.
