Page 52 of Poisoned Roses

My foolish request might have cost her life, and I will never forgive myself for that.

Whoever is doing this is sick and needs help. A psychopath, obviously, and I’m grateful a man like Titus is beside me. If I’m certain of anything, it’s that he will protect me. Then there’s our marriage. What happens after our wedding? What is the point of it at all?

It’s as if I’m playing a part in a play and I haven’t studied the script and I’m lurching from one scene to another doing the best I can.

My head is scrambled and my nerves on edge, and yet all I can wonder is where Titus is now.

Suzannah brought me a change of clothes, a cozy sweater and some sweat pants. Completely different to the usual elegant couture I’m expected to wear around here, and I was so grateful it brought tears to my eyes, knowing she understands.

She left, promising to return with my supper, so when the door opens, I smile expectantly.

I’m surprised when Titus carries the tray inside the room and smiles.

“You look better.”

“Thank you.” I blush because even now he is the sexiest man I have ever met. He is so strong, both in personality and mind, and as he sets the tray down on the small table, he reaches for my hand.

“Come and sit with me.”

Like a puppy dog wagging its tail for its master, I scamper beside him and love how his arm settles around my shoulder.

He drops a light kiss on the top of my head and says softly, “If it’s any consolation, we are certain Nadia is alive and the finger may not have been hers.”

My heart settles, but questions remain.

“What makes you believe that?”

He rubs his thumb across the back of my hand and his voice is rough, edged in anger.

“Simeon has uncovered a connection between Nadia and Leo. We guess they were working together.”

“How?”

I’m so confused.

“Are you familiar with the dancers who defected when they were with the Bolshoi?”

“Of course.” I nod thoughtfully. “It was a huge topic of conversation. There were many theories going around but nobody ever heard from them again, so the rumors increased.”

“Nadia and Leo could have been involved with that.”

“No!” I shake my head vigorously. “Nadia would never help a dancer leave the Bolshoi. She loved it too much. It was her life.”

“Her life or her livelihood?”

His tone is ominous and my voice shakes as I whisper, “I don’t understand.”

“I can’t be certain, but Simeon believes that she had an arrangement with a wealthy individual who paid her good money for a dancer from the Bolshoi. One every year, apparently, and we accessed her records, and she is richer by thirty million US dollars.”

“Oh my God!” My hand flies to my mouth and tears are my reply as the enormity of what Titus is implying hits me hard.

“Trafficking.” He says simply. “It’s not uncommon for a wealthy man with no morals or duty to buy things that are notfor sale. A person is one such commodity, and it appears that this individual has a thing for Russian ballerinas. I’m guessing that he keeps them for one year until they are replaced. I may be wrong and he keeps them all, but it’s a trade that will never end all the time the buyer hooks up with a like-minded seller.”

“Nadia wouldn’t do that. She loves the dancers.”

I can’t comprehend it and Titus leans back and sighs, dragging me against him, his fingers twisting in my hair as he says gruffly, “You are so innocent, Tatiana. Tell me, did Leo ever make advances toward you before that night?”

I think back on the many times he caught me alone and attempted to seduce me. He flattered me, paid me compliments and when I made it clear I wasn’t interested, the bouquets started to arrive.

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