Prologue
“Take off your pants. On your knees.”
Her tone made it clear she was not joking.
This time, she held the power over him. Until now, it had always been the other way around. This was no game. This was reality crashing into him head-on.
Pure shock crossed his face. Betrayal. His people had betrayed him.
And she stood there calmly, smiling, regal. As if everything was exactly where it belonged. That was the worst part of it. And, perversely, the most enticing.
He didn’t react. He watched her.
Two of the largest guards stepped forward without a word. One restrained him while the other did what he himself had never dared to do. Fabric fell to the floor, revealing the naked truth.
She tilted her head and smiled mockingly.
“It seems you’re actually enjoying this situation.”
She turned away briefly, reaching into a box.
“You always said I’d get used to it. And you know what?” Her smile turned icy. “You were right.”
She laughed, hollow and false.
“Are you recording me?” he asked, only now noticing the phone in one of the men’s hands.
“Exactly the way you recorded me. Remember?”
She stepped closer. With one decisive push, she sent him to his knees. With the guards’ help, he was forced to brace himself on his hands as well.
“You’ll have to relax,” she said calmly. “Don’t worry. I’ve taken care of everything.”
He tried to rise. Pointless. Strong hands immediately forced him back down.
“I won’t drag this out. Everything will be recorded. For now, only for me.”
She leaned in so close he had no choice but to look at her.
“If you do exactly what I tell you, the recording goes nowhere. If you don’t…” She paused. “You know how this ends.”
She straightened. Proud. Untouchable.
“Now I’m leaving. You will not look for me.”
He stayed silent.
She walked over to one of the men and handed him the object she had been holding. The moment he sensed someone behind him, he began nodding frantically.
“Fine… damn it.”
“And you won’t kill anyone here,” she added. “My people are coming with me. You’ll find replacements on your own. Not just among your guards.”
The door opened. Cleaning staff and the housekeeper entered the room.
“They’re free as well,” she said, watching him closely. “Right?”
He didn’t answer immediately.
She nodded to her man. Only then did he force out a strangled response.
“Yes. They’re free. Let them go.”
She crouched in front of him and gently stroked his cheek, almost tenderly.
“If you weren’t so obsessed with yourself, you would have noticed something was wrong,” she said quietly. “I gave you chances. More than one.”
She smiled, devoid of warmth.
“This was your last.”
She leaned in and brushed her lips against his in a soft, fleeting kiss.
Then she stood, graceful, and gestured for her people to follow.
“Remember,” she said, pausing in the doorway, “I keep my word.”
She stopped for a second longer.
“I hope you do too.”
