Page 55 of A Pawn in the Game
“Don’t worry. I won’t let them come close to you again.”
Her mouth relaxes on a relieved breath. “Thank you.”
I swallow. “Ivan will be here soon.”
She rushes to get dressed. Ivan’s, luckily, already at the club, and he gets to the dungeon within a minute. The situation with Russ, our distributor, has been handled, so he’s back here to help me. I greet him at the door and give him instructions quietly enough, so she doesn’t hear.
“What’s your girlfriend up to today?”
“Nina?”
“Yes, do you have another girlfriend?”
He looks confused, but he still answers. “Nothing much. Just hanging around her house until her shift in the afternoon.”
“Good. Tell her to meet you here. I’ll pay.Generously.” I glance at Sophie, who is checking the contents of her breakfast bag. “Do we have a deal?”
“Sure,” he responds and I’m glad he got the point without me having to ask outright.
I step out of the bar, calling Leon.Time to face the music.
CHAPTER 27
Sophie
Luka leaving is like a piece of me being ripped out. The fear is not fully back, because I know Ivan is his right-hand man, but any comfort I had while he was here is now gone.
I busy myself with breakfast and though it’s delicious, I barely eat any of it. I poke around the container with the fork as if I’m able to absorb it through air. Eventually, I let out a long exhale, dropping the fork on the table.
This should be heaven for my brain. There’s so much new information to analyze, it should be easy to keep anxiety at bay. But when mixed with confusing emotions coursing through me, processing any of it becomes impossible. My mind is utter chaos, years of my carefully built thought order long gone.
The chaos inside is interrupted by a knock at the door. I doubt it’s Luka, since not nearly enough time has passed. Is it another terrifying guard? Or their uncle? The hair on my neck rises as I steel myself for what’s to come.
It feels like an eternity, waiting for Ivan to get up and open the door, only to find a small blonde on the other side. Ivan’s face transforms into an expression I haven’t seen before and it’s obvious he cares about the girl that just entered my cage.
She gives him a quick peck on the lips before glancing at me. “You must be Sophie,” she says with a confidence I could only dream of possessing. Her stature is short, but curvy, her golden hair just reaching her shoulders.
She approaches me, and I take a step back, hesitant to meet new people.
“Who are you?” I ask, on a shaky breath.
“I’m Nina.” She reaches her hand out, but I simply stare at it. “Ivan is my boyfriend. And he called me to keep you company.” Again, she smiles, not retracting her hand.
I put my hand out, and she shakes it. Her skin is soft and warm and even though a part of me is anxious, the other part feels like it can trust her.
I realize she’s carrying a bag in her hand, and she places it on the table, taking out three coffee cups.
My eyes widen at the sight of coffee. I’m not a huge coffee drinker. The drink typically enhances my anxiety, but I’ve always loved the taste of it.
“This one is oat milk. I hope it’s something you drink,” she says, handing me a cup.
My lips turn up of their own accord. I take the cup from her hand, pressing it to my lips. It’s warm and creamy and just sweet enough to hide the natural bitterness of the coffee beans.
“Glad you like it,” the girl says, lifting her own cup and sitting down at the table. “I thought some girl time was just what you needed.”
I glance at Ivan, but he’s barely paying attention to us. “So, you know why I’m here?”
Nina chuckles. “Well, partially. I know you’re here… reluctantly.”
