I glance at my daughter as I play with the dangerous hope that I might be allowed to raise her.
Letting out a sigh, I continue to unpack our clothes. When I pull the dark burgundy cocktail dress out of the bag, my body stills. I stare at the silk that’s helped me lure many men to their deaths, then an idea pops into my head.
This was always Boris’ weapon. What if I use it for myself…just this once?
If I can seduce Georgi, I might become to him what Tanya was to Boris. She was allowed luxuries. She got to spend day in and day out with Simi. Tanya was allowed to do anything she wanted as long as she kept Boris happy.
My heartbeat speeds up as the plan takes root.
I will offer myself to Georgi, and in return, I will get to raise Simi and protect her. If I can satisfy him, then maybe he’ll continue to be kind to Simi.
Also, this will be a way for me to take control of what happens to my body. Instead of Georgi having to use force to rape me, maybe if I submit to him, he’ll show me mercy.
Remembering how angry he was in the chamber, how he fought against the shackles to try to get to me give me the courage to go through with my plan.
Not hesitating, I dig out the high heels and a pair of lace panties. I quickly change into the provocative outfit before getting my curling iron and makeup out.
From years of experience, it doesn’t take me long to get ready, and as I stare at my reflection in the mirror, I smooth my hands over the dress before I force myself to leave the room.
Walking down the hallway, nerves spin wildly in my stomach.
Simi is so happy. This is a small price to pay, Nina.
Georgi is very attractive. He’s been nice to Simi. It should be so much easier to have sex with him than with Anton.
I keep repeating the sentences, trying to convince myself it won’t be as awful as when Anton raped me.
The silk molds too closely to my body, reminding me of every other time I’ve worn this dress.
The loose strands that I curled fall around my face, and my makeup is perfect, the way Boris liked it. The thought sickens me, but I cling to my resolve.
This is for Simi.
If giving Georgi what Anton has always violently taken from me buys my daughter’s safety, then I can survive it. For her, I will sacrifice everything.
I take the stairs down, and when the sunken living room comes into view, I swallow hard on the anxiety tightening its grip brutally on my chest.
Just like the first time I saw him, Georgi is sitting on a couch, his head bowed as he types on his phone.
“Hi,” I croak, my legs shaky while taking the last step.
When he looks up, tension explodes through the air like an invisible tsunami. At first, he doesn’t move. His intense eyes sweep over me, taking in the dress and heels he must remember.
Another couple of seconds pass, then something unsettling flashes over his face as he rises to his feet.
The sheer size of him steals the air from my lungs as he slowly walks closer. By the time he towers over me, all muscle and power, I feel absurdly small under the weight of his attention.
“Christ, Nina,” he says, his tone rough. “What are you doing?”
My lips part, but I struggle to speak. Instead, I take a few hesitant steps, closing the distance between us. My pulse drums loudly in my ears, and I can’t force myself to meet his eyes. With trembling fingers, I reach for the top button of his shirt.
“I thought…” My throat tightens, and I have to clear it before I can try again. “I thought maybe this would make things easier.”
His hand closes over my wrist before I can undo the second button. When my gaze flies up, and I see the hard lines on his face, my stomach drops with fear.
“What things?” he growls, the sound low and deadly.
While more fear fills my chest, shame burns so hot through me, sweat beads on the back of my neck.
