Page 26 of Bought By Sin

Why did you even bring me here?

What do you want me for?

Why did you buy me?

Will I ever have a job or assignment or… anything?

Being told what to do had become a structural part of my existence, and without him telling me what he expected of me, I felt further untethered and vulnerable. Further from being able to predict what could come so I could escape.

I slowly turned, keeping my hands in my pockets as I scanned my surroundings.

I didn’t belong here, standing off to the side. I didn’t fit in with those two women chatting away about business at the long patio table. And I didn’t feel comfortable, like a proverbial fish out of water with no idea of what to do.

As I stayed put, looking out at the gardens and pools and all the exterior entertainment areas, I resisted the awkwardness of being near Elena and Carina but not with them. A deep sense of uneasiness pricked at me, traveling up my spine until I grew tenser and tenser. On edge. Alert.

Wait.

It wasn’t just the weird awkwardness that had me tensing up.

This was something else.

Without changing my expression and still roving my gaze over my surroundings under the awning over the patio that sheltered the two pregnant women speaking, I focused.

This wasn’t me feeling out of place.

This was me feeling like I was being watched.

Is this another test?

Is Lev testing me again and checking how quick I am to notice something is off?

No. He wouldn’t do that near Elena or Carina.

This isn’t right.

Something isn’t right.

My gut instinct never failed me, and before I could think of what to do, I fell into a harsh and stubborn mantra of talking myself out of freaking out.

Don’t panic.

Do. Not. Panic.

You’re here and safe. There are guards. This isn’t a test. No threats can⁠—

There.

I slid my gaze to the left, detecting the faintiest motion off by that wall.

Someone was trespassing and creeping in close.

The guards had to be out there somewhere, but they weren’t here, right now.

I swallowed hard and took my hands out of my pockets. Without allowing any emotion on my face, without any rash movements or physical tells of fear, I approached the table.

Setting my hand on Elena’s shoulder silenced her mid-sentence with whatever she was telling Carina. My palm was sweaty. My heart was racing. But I kept my voice low and neutral, my face blank and unchanged.

“Get under the table. Now. Both of you.”