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There goes my thoughts that this was just some onboarding process. This is personal.
I lower myself into the chair, sinking into its plush embrace. His piercing blue eyes seem to see right through me, and I can’t help but feel exposed under his intense gaze.
“I’m a busy man, Annalise, and I don’t have time to waste,” he says brusquely, leaning forward and resting his clenched fists on the desk. “You know who I am, don’t you?”
“My boss,” I answer.
“Annalise.” The way he says my name is a warning.
I stare at him hard, trying to figure out whether or not to tell the truth. “Am I supposed to know you apart from that?”
“Do you want to play stupid? Because I have other ways of getting the information I need.”
My heart skips a beat. He doesn’t have to tell me that his threat is serious for me to know. So, this is about three years ago? I never should have gone to that masquerade party. “Yes, I remember you.”
I should have run when I saw Cassius. I was naive to think he didn’t recognize me.
“What are your motives for being here?”
My motives? Taken aback by his sudden interrogation, I rack my brain for an answer that will satisfy him. “I’m here because I need this job, Mr. Volkov. I was told it pays well and has good benefits. I was hired just like everyone else.”
“Is that so?” he asks skeptically, his eyes narrowing as he sits down in his seat. “Or is there something else you want from me and my family?”
I frown. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you mean.”
“If you came here in an attempt to blackmail us, you’ll soon realize you made a mistake, one that’ll land you in the grave.”
This is the second time he’s threatened to kill me. My body goes cold. “I didn’t even know you owned the company until after I’d already interviewed,” I respond firmly, trying to keep from freaking out. “My only interest was to have a job, but if that’s a problem?—”
“Who have you told?” he growls, cutting me off.
I start shaking my head repeatedly. “I never told anyone what happened that night.” Well, except for Sienna, but she’d never breathe a word of it to another soul. She was far too scared to do that.
Damian leans forward in his chair, his piercing blue eyes narrowing as they bore into mine. “Is that so?” he asks, his tone dripping with skepticism. “I don’t believe in coincidences.”
Neither do I, but I never would have planned this. “I can’t force you to believe me.”
He hums, studying me hard. “Or are you perhaps hoping for a repeat performance?”
A repeat performance? As in, more sex?
My cheeks flush with anger and embarrassment at his insinuation, but I refuse to let him see just how much his words affect me. My fear is replaced with fury. I lift my chin defiantly, returning his gaze with equal intensity.
Who does he think he is? Damian doesn’t have a clue who I am, and for him to imply that…
“Your arrogance is astounding,” I snap, my hands clenching into fists in my lap. “What happened between me and your brothers was a mistake—one I have no intention of repeating.”
He chuckles darkly, his eyes never leaving mine. “A mistake? That’s not how I remember it, Ms. Tryst. In fact, if memory serves, you were quite eager to share yourself.”
His venomous words seep into the air between us, thick and suffocating. Why is he doing this? Does he want a rise out of me? I feel my chest tighten as I struggle to draw breath, my face flushed with a mix of anger and humiliation. The room seems to shrink, closing in around me as I grapple for control over the emotions threatening to bubble over.
“Is that really what you think of me?” I spit, my voice shaking with indignation. “That I’m some sort of slut?”
“If the panties fit,” he replies coldly, his eyes darkening with contempt.
The tension within me snaps, and without thinking, my hand flies up and connects with his cheek. The sound of the slap echoes through the room, and for a moment I’m just as shocked by my own actions as Damian is.
What have I done?
