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Unsuccessful, she rushed to the window—desperate for fresh air—and yanked at the latch.
It didn’t budge.
Right.
In her panic, she’d completely forgotten.
Her gaze fell to the window frame.
It was nailed shut.
Chapter 8
Present Day – Spring 1744
“Your first time, I suppose?” Gideon asked bitterly, his voice emerging from the darkness.
“My first time, what?” Leila replied flatly, devoid of the bright, calculated allure she typically used to disarm and distract.
“Being imprisoned,” he said.
She let out a bitter laugh. “You’re the one asking me this? The man who had held me tied to his bed?”
“You were never truly my prisoner.” He waved the thought away, his chains clinking. “Are you a prisoner here? Or are you serving an ulterior motive? Perhaps you want to gain something from me by pretending to be locked up with me?”
“I have never pretended with you, Gideon,” she answered honestly. “And I am not about to start now.”
“Well, I never truly trusted you, Leila. And I am not about to start now, either. Especially since you’re the reason for my capture.”
The way he said her name… It hurt her heart. He didn’t trust her, and he had every reason not to.
So she stayed silent.
“What? No denial?” His words dripped with bitterness.
“Is there any use? You’re determined to blame me for all sins anyway.”
“Would I be wrong?”
“I lied to you, yes. I withheld things from you, true. I was tasked to hurt you.” She paused and swallowed loudly. “But I couldn’t accomplish that task. No matter how hard I tried.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” he replied tersely. “You’ve hurt me a plenty.”
* * *
Fifty-two hours earlier…
Ten days after her failed poisoning attempt on the Wolverstone, Leila attended the Lord and Lady Payne’s charity musicale.
Usually, Leila enjoyed the brief reprieves from being locked in her room all day. She loved the balls, the conversations, the music. But lately, she was reluctant to leave the house, knowing her actions would be observed, noted, and reported back to him.
Normally, that wouldn’t be an issue, but with so many failures, every movement would prompt another visit from the man she preferred to avoid.
She needed to finish the mission, and she needed to do it fast.
The more days she spent without contact from Emir, the more worried she became. This was supposed to be her final mission. After that, they would both be free… at least, that’s what he promised.
Not that she believed in his promises. There was a chance that being free in that man’s twisted mind meant being killed.
