Bound to the Don

Chapter 30

Salma

- - -
The next few days went by in a blur. I hadn't had any encounters with Armando or Lady Victoria, and the silence was making me more anxious with each passing hour. I was supposed to be figuring out how to pay Armando back—not sitting around, stalling, waiting for Lady Victoria's mysterious orders.

I needed to act. Fast.

Stepping out of the confines of my room and into the quiet hallway, I tried to brainstorm ideas. But my mind was blank. Empty. Then it hit me like a slap to the face—how the hell was I supposed to pay Armando back when he was the one in charge? He owned this place. I worked for him. It was his responsibility to assign a task if he truly wanted his money back, not Lady Victoria's.

How was I only realizing this now?

The thought felt like light at the end of a tunnel—or at least, I hoped it was. Fueled by sudden clarity, I made my way down the hallway with a new purpose pulsing through my veins.

This was going to be fun, I thought, smirking to myself.

When I reached the large door to Armando's office, I paused. Took a deep breath. Then another. And one more for good measure. Finally, I knocked lightly.

A faint "Come in," echoed from within.

I braced myself, pushing the door open.

Dark. As usual. That didn't surprise me. What did surprise me—what absolutely shocked me—was that we weren't alone.

Someone else was there.

And the second I felt the presence, I knew who it was.

"Louis," I whispered under my breath.

My heart skipped a beat. Then another. Before I knew it, it was pounding like a drum, betraying the calm expression I tried so hard to maintain.

- - -
I was really pulling off this "new Salma" persona, but it was getting harder to keep my cool with each passing second. To keep myself together, I tore my gaze away and focused on the reason I had come here in the first place.
Armando.

His eyes locked onto mine—sharp, unreadable. Then, just for a moment, they flickered to Louis and back again. The atmosphere instantly thickened with tension so heavy I could barely breathe.

What on earth was Louis doing here? Didn't he have his own estate to manage? I thought bitterly, the memories I had fought so hard to bury now rising to the surface like unwelcome ghosts.

Then, a voice as dark and deep as the Mariana Trench sliced through my spiraling thoughts.

"Just who we were discussing. Have a seat, Salma," Armando said, gesturing to the chair next to him.

No, thank you.I'd rather sit on a chair lined with needles. I thought

But when I looked at him, ready to refuse, his eyes held a silent dare. Two words were written all over his expression.
"Dare me."

And just like that, I knew I didn't have a choice.

Reluctantly, I sat down beside him, making sure to keep a generous space between us. My hands were tightly clasped on my lap like some obedient schoolgirl trying not to draw attention.

Still, my mind kept spinning. What exactly were they discussing about me? And why with Louis of all people?

The last time this man had "discussed" me, it had nearly destroyed everything.

But neither of them spoke. Instead, they just... stared at each other. Like two wolves sizing each other up. Occasionally, Louis's eyes would flicker to me—as if by accident—and then just as quickly return to Armando.