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My lips curl into a sneer.

So, that’s why he didn’t put the damn belt on. “Bastard,” I mutter with feeling, and Anya frowns, clearly not understanding.

I shove the blanket tighter around myself and swing my legs off the bed, irritation prickling under my skin. Thank God I opened my eyes before letting my hand wander. It would have taken nothing—two quick flicks against my clit—to push me over the edge. The thought of doing that with Anya sitting right there makes heat crawl up my neck.

“Fucking bastard,” I mutter again, louder this time, making Anya jump as she holds open a robe for me. I drop the blanket and slip my arms into it, forcing thoughts of Dimitri and my still-throbbing clit aside to study her properly. As far as I can tell, she’s the only woman on staff here. “What job do you usually do for Dimitri?”

Her face lights up, the brightness of her smile almost enough to make me feel bad for how irritated I am by her presence. Almost. “Nothing, really. I was hired because of you, so I can be your companion.” She clasps her hands together. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”

Huh. He hired her… for me.

I tie the belt of the robe slowly, my brows knitting as I think it through. He’s done a lot of things for me—given her his card, let me buy whatever I wanted, loosened the leash enough to make it feel like freedom. This might be my first time being a prisoner, but I’m pretty damn sure this isn’t how it usually goes.

You could have come to me with the truth, he said. We could have worked together.

But would he really have believed me if I had told him everything from the start? Would we be partners now, working together to rescue Millie? Is she even still alive? By now, my blackmailer would have tried to reach me countless times. What happens when he can’t? Does he assume I got caught? Killed? Is that option better for Millie?

“Miss?” Anya’s voice drags me out of my spiral.

“I’ll take a quick shower.” I head for the bathroom but freeze when she follows. “What are you doing?”

“I’m to keep you in my sight at all times,” she replies, looking at the floor.

My lips part. “Surely that doesn’t include bathroom trips?” Her wince is answer enough, and I scowl, irritation flaring all over again. “That fucking Dimitri.”

“He’s concerned about you. He doesn’t want you getting hurt,” she rushes to add.

“Sure, sure.” I cross my arms. “You’re not coming into that bathroom with me.”

“But—I have—I have my orders,” she stammers, looking genuinely distressed at the idea of not obeying them.

“Listen, Anya, how many people are in the room right now?”

“The two of us.” She frowns.

“Exactly. For all Dimitri knows, I’m right in front of you.” I place a hand on her shoulder and squeeze gently. “I’m going to shower. Nothing’s going to happen to me in there.”

Her frown deepens as she struggles for an answer. “Okay… maybe you’re right—” She brightens. “I don’t have to go inside to keep you in my sight. We can leave the door open. I’ll still be able to see you, and you’ll have some privacy.” She beams, clearly proud of herself.

I don’t return the smile—I can’t. “Yes, I suppose that works.”

So I go into Dimitri’s bathroom, leaving the door open behind me. The space smells even more like him, and my chest tightens as I take it in. It’s nearly double the size of mine—there’s a deep soaking bathtub, a shower built for two, and double sinks under wide mirrors.

I check the drawers for a spare toothbrush but come up empty. Selfish bastard.

You’re the only woman outside my family to set foot here.

Did he really mean that?

“Damn it, I’ll have to go to my room,” I mutter to myself. I need to brush my teeth before taking a shower. Showering first and then going to my room to brush my teeth would disrupt my routine and mess up my day—even more so than it’s already been. “You know the way, right?” I ask Anya, who nods.

We pass a few of Dimitri’s men as we walk down the hallway, and it hits me halfway that I didn’t even need her to guide me—I know the way myself. The guard usually stationed outside my door is gone, and I smile faintly at the absence. One less reminder that this place is still a prison.

“How well do you know Dimitri?” I ask Anya as we step inside. I’ve done so much with him physically, and he seems to know everything about me, yet I barely know anything about him beyond what I found online and the fragments I’ve picked up from him.

Anya shrugs. “Not well at all. But he’s a good man. You made the right choice, miss.”

I almost laugh at that. What the hell does she think is happening between us? Whatever it is, it’s obvious she couldn’t be more wrong. Shaking the thought off, I head for the bathroom, making sure to leave the door open so she can see me. I grab my toothbrush and scrub aggressively, aware of her eyes on me the whole time.