Page 57 of Sinful Embers

“Can I get you anything else, sir?” She asks Temur.

“No thank you Stasya.” Timir shake his head.

Stasya gives me once last quick meaningful look before ducking out the door. What is she doing here? Her parents have worked for the Molchanov’s for generations. He eldest and youngest sisters work for Radomir. Her brother is one of his most trusted men.

Radomir did say he had traitors in their ranks and even in his most trusted inner circle.

Timir leans over and pulls a bag from the trolley pushing it toward men/

“What’s in the bag?” I ask, my voice carefully even.

He gestures toward it. “See for yourself.”

I reach for it, my fingers tightening when I recognize the branding on the boxes.

Pregnancy tests.

Dozens of them.

My stomach flips as I rifle through them, pretending to be more irritated than alarmed. But what really catches my attention? The magnetic security strips attached to the packaging.

My mind spins. I could use these.

I have a flashlight—the pieces could make a strong enough magnet to disrupt my shackles.

But then what? I still don’t know the full layout of this place. I’d need a better plan before I tried anything. I also need an easy mark to steal a phone from.

I force myself to stay calm, tossing the bag back onto the table.

“I’ve been stuck in this dungeon for two weeks,” I say instead. “I need fresh air.”

Timir doesn’t react. “If you take a test after breakfast, we’ll go for a walk.”

I lift a brow. “And if I don’t?”

He smiles—slow and dangerous. “Then Stasya will assist you.” He leans in. “Or Carlos.”

Ice coats my spine. I know full well Carlos wouldn’t hesitate to assist me peeing on a stick. If I do it on my own, I can tamper with it. Put water on it and ensure a false negative. That could work in my favor. Twice now the other housekeeper has asked me about my period. At one point I was thinking I should lie and say I had it. But then what? Am I still valuable? As soon as they have what they want from my mind I’ll be disposable.

I clench my jaw. “Fine.”

I grab one of the tests and disappear behind the curtain, heart pounding.

But I don’t take it.

I unscrew the top, dip it into the toilet bowl instead, letting the water disrupt the results.

When I’m done, I set it on the table between us and sit down, forcing a smirk. “Nothing like breakfast and a pee stick.”

Timir glances at his watch. “We’ll know soon enough.”

I stab my fork into half an avocado, my mind already racing.

The Clock is Ticking

I have to get out.

I have to get to a phone.

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