In His Debt

CHAPTER 7

The first day with Bash was a disaster.

He didn’t speak unless necessary.

When he did, it was always with clipped orders: "Sit." "Stay here." "Don’t touch that."

Like she was some wild animal he barely tolerated.

Lena paced the suite like a caged tiger, her nerves stretched raw.

Every time she tried to push the boundaries — opening a window, reaching for the phone — Bash was there. Watching. Blocking her.

"You’re not a prisoner," he said once, when she snapped at him.

"Could’ve fooled me," she bit back.

He didn’t even flinch.

Just leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his broad chest, a lazy smirk curving his mouth.

"Roman owns your debt. He owns your life," Bash said coldly. "I’m just here to make sure you don’t get stupid ideas."

The way he said it made Lena’s blood boil.

"What’s it like?" she asked sweetly. "Being someone else’s lapdog?"

For a second, something flickered across Bash’s face — something dangerous.

"You think you’re free?" he murmured. "You were bought the second you took Roman's money. The second you signed."

Lena opened her mouth — but the words died on her tongue.

Because Bash wasn’t wrong.

And worse, he wasn’t saying it to hurt her.

He was just telling the truth.

The truth was a weapon here — sharp, merciless.

Lena turned away, folding her arms tight across her chest.

She wasn’t free.

But she wasn’t broken either.

She would find a way to survive this.

She had to.

---

Later that night, Roman returned.

The energy in the room shifted the second he walked in — crackling, electric.

Lena felt it like a storm brewing under her skin.

Roman's grey eyes swept the room, landing on her.

Lingering.

"You behaved," he said, almost surprised.

Lena lifted her chin defiantly.

"For now."

Something dark flickered in his gaze — something almost... amused.

Roman turned to Bash.

"Report."

Bash shrugged. "No escape attempts. Plenty of attitude."

Roman smirked.

"I expected nothing less," he said, his voice warm with an edge of pride.

Bash shot Lena a look — a silent see what I mean? — before disappearing into the hall without another word.

For a moment, it was just her and Roman again.

The tension was unbearable — thick enough to drown in.

Roman closed the distance between them slowly, like a predator savoring the hunt.

He reached out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"You’re learning," he said softly. "Good girl."

The praise sent an involuntary shiver down Lena’s spine.

She hated how much his touch affected her. How much his approval made her heart stutter.

Roman leaned in closer, his breath brushing her skin.

"But don’t mistake mercy for weakness, Lena," he whispered against her ear.

"I will break you if I have to."

Then he stepped back, his smile razor-sharp.

"Get some sleep," he said. "Tomorrow, your real education begins."

Lena stared after him, her heart pounding in her chest.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow would change everything.

And she wasn’t sure she was ready.