Chapter 165 YOUR OWNER.
~TALIA.
Silence stretched, thick and heavy. I waited, counting my breaths, feeling the air shift. Then, the door clicked shut behind him, and I smiled to myself in the mirror. He had stormed out again, but I'd planted the seeds of doubt, and anger all over again.
I finished zipping the dress and smoothed it down over my hips. The black fabric clung perfectly, professional with a hint of allure. I slipped on the white shirt underneath, buttoning it just enough to tease. Makeup next, and I moved to Raina's palette, but I went bolder on the lips, a slash of red that screamed confidence.
I pulled my hair down, the waves framing my face. I looked like her, but sharper, and more alive. Grabbing my purse and phone, I strode out of the bedroom, heels clicking on the hardwood.
Down the stairs, the living room came into view, and there they were, the entire staff lined up like soldiers at inspection. Maids, and cooks all frozen in place, their eyes on me. Luciano must have told them everything after last night.
Their stares were a mix of fear, suspicion, and resentment.
Well, who cares?
I scanned the row, spotting the old woman who had welcomed me yesterday.
Her grey hair was pulled tight, and her hands were clasped nervously. I pointed my index finger at her and stepped forward. "Excuse me, oldie."
She flinched, but held her ground. The room tensed.
"I would hate to return home to pasta," I said, voice dripping with false sweetness. "If you don't wanna lose your head... or your job, prepare me something nice and grand. I am your new madam now!"
Murmurs rippled through the staff, but no one dared speak. I flashed a smile, all teeth, and swept past them toward the front door.
The air outside hit me as I stepped onto the porch. The crisp morning, and the sun climbing high over the manicured lawns of the compound.
Armed uniformed men patrolled the perimeter, rifles slung over their shoulders, eyes tracking my every move. I breathed out deeply, shaking my head. This place was a fortress, but even fortresses had cracks.
"You love games so much, don't you?" I said loudly, my voice carrying across the yard. I scanned for Luciano, half-expecting him to appear like a vengeful ghost, but he was nowhere.
He was probably somewhere, plotting my end.
A man approached, tall and built like a tank.
Viktor, I recognized from the files. His expression was stone-cold, and his hand was already twitching toward his sidearm.
"You are not leaving this house," he said, blocking my path to the driveway.
I met his gaze, unflinching. "You do not order me."
"I will." He stepped closer, his voice low and threatening. "You will return inside and stay there. You'd not like me to lose my patience with you."
Laughter bubbled up, but I kept it controlled. "If harm comes to me, Viktor, yeah? Raina would pay for it."
He closed the space, his hand dropping to his gun, fingers curling around the grip. The other guards shifted, watching.
Tension crackled like electricity.
"My madam would rather I take your life than save hers," he growled, eyes locked on mine.
"Then she is stupid." I held my ground, chin up. "I am not Raina. For now, you all will listen to me." I turned to Gabriel, who stood by the black SUV, keys in hand, looking torn.
"And it is your duty to drive me to and from work. You will keep to that duty. That way, no one has to get hurt,” I spread my arms wide, smiling.
Gabriel opened his mouth, hesitation clear. "I do not…"
"Let her go," Luciano's voice cut through from behind me, his voice sharp as a blade.
I glanced over my shoulder, seeing him there, his arms crossed, and his face a mask of fury. Viktor stiffened, shooting his boss a look, but stepped aside.
"Listen to your owner, lapdog," I said to Viktor, patting his shoulder firmly as I walked past. His muscles tensed under my hand, but he didn't react. Gabriel reluctantly opened the car door for me, and I slid in, the leather cool against my legs.
As the door shut, I watched through the tinted window. Luciano and Viktor fell into low conversation, their heads close, and their gestures urgent.
Whatever they were saying put me on edge, a knot forming in my stomach. Paranoia crept in. Were they planning to tail me?
Set up an ambush at the office? I knew it was just a matter of time before they all snapped, and stopped taking my bullshit. Raina was the key, but holding her meant Marco had to stay invisible. One slip, and this house of cards crumbled.
Gabriel climbed into the driver's seat, starting the engine with a rumble. "Ma'am," he muttered, avoiding my eyes in the rearview.
"Drive," I snapped, settling back. The gates swung open, and we pulled out onto the winding road leading away from the compound. Trees blurred past, but my mind raced ahead.
The office would be a battlefield with colleagues who'd known Raina for months, questioning glances, and maybe even security checks. But I had her schedule memorized, her emails, her quirks. I'd play the part, sign the deals, and assert control as COO.
Yet doubt nagged. Luciano's red eyes haunted me.
How far would he go?
Last night, he had nearly choked the life out of me, and that was just anger.
If he found a lead on Marco... No. I pushed it down. We had plans within plans. Raina was miles away by now, drugged and transported in the trunk of some nondescript van. Marco was smart, he'd hole up in one of our safe houses upstate, and wait for my signal.
My phone buzzed, and it was a text from Marco. All clear.
‘She's secure.’
Relief washed over me, brief but real. I typed back.
‘I will make my first demand soon.’
The city skyline loomed as we hit the highway, skyscrapers piercing the blue. Moretti Corporation's tower waited, a gleaming monument to the empire I'd clawed back into. But paranoia lingered. What if Luciano had already called ahead? What if Viktor was right behind us? I glanced out the back window and there were tails, just empty roads. Still, my pulse thrummed.
Soon, I'd have the staff eating from my hand, the company under my thumb.
The office approached, and with it, the next phase.