Chapter 2

The group had just reached the elevators when they ran straight into Julian Sinclair, on his way back in.

One look at their outfits and where they were headed, and Julian's face went red with fury.

"In this country, a woman out after nine at night is considered fair game. Are you all so bored with your lives you're looking to lose them?"

"Wipe that makeup off. Change your clothes. Nobody is leaving this hotel tonight."

His tone was sharp, but Damien didn't take it seriously.

"Mr. Sinclair, don't you think you're overreacting? We're all adults. We can go wherever we want. You can't restrict our personal freedom."

Julian saw red.

"Fine. I can't control your freedom, but I can control your paychecks. Anyone who sneaks out tonight can kiss their bonus goodbye this month."

We were all salaried workers, and money hit where it hurt.

Several people made to head back, but a few stubborn ones held out.

"Mr. Sinclair, it was Vivi's idea. Maybe you should—"

"Enough."

Vivi stepped forward.

"Everyone, don't put Mr. Sinclair in an awkward spot. We won't go. Let's just go back to our rooms."

Once she said it, everyone finally shuffled off.

Once the show was over and I turned to leave, Julian caught my arm.

"Selene, you're the most reliable one in this bunch. Keep an eye on them for me, would you? Don't let them slip out at this hour. If this ends up on international news, our entire company takes the hit."

I told him I'd try, but they were adults—if they were determined, I couldn't hold them back.

The moment I got back to the room, Vivi and Damien were standing there with a few others.

One of them was asking Vivi, "Why didn't you just tell Mr. Sinclair you wanted to go? He'd never stop us if he knew—your dad's the chairman, after all."

A flicker of unease crossed Vivi's face, but she smoothed it out fast.

"We still have to give Uncle Sinclair his face in public. Besides, someone clearly ratted us out—once Mr. Sinclair got word, he couldn't just look the other way."

At that, every pair of eyes swung to me, since I'd just walked in.

My stomach dropped. I turned to bolt, but Damien was already there, grabbing me by the collar.

"Selene, you shameless bitch. First you tell us to go, then you run to tattle. And you promised him you'd keep us in line—what the hell is going on between you and Mr. Sinclair?"

Vivi poured oil on the fire.

"Selene, you're not trying to sleep your way up through Mr. Sinclair, are you? Damien's never done wrong by you. How can you treat him like this?"

That one sentence sent Damien over the edge.

He slapped me. Twice. Hard. Stars burst in my eyes; tears sprang loose from the sting.

I kept saying no, no, and pulled out my phone, telling him he could check for himself.

Damien snatched it and combed through it. Only when he saw I really had no contact with Julian outside of work did his face soften a little.

Vivi's face fell in disappointment.

"But I really wanted to see the temple. Damien, what do we do now?"

Damien thought for a few seconds, then used my phone to send Julian a message.

"If we want to go, we go. I just told him we've decided not to. We'll head out at midnight—by then, he'll be asleep."

The others thought it sounded like a great plan.

Someone posted it to the company group chat right there, asking who else was in.

The replies came fast. Most people were up for it.

I laughed silently. Nine p.m. was already dangerous—now they wanted to wait until midnight, God forbid the predators had gone home for the night.

A few hours later, they got ready to leave.

At the door, Vivi suddenly turned and looked at me.

"Damien, what if Selene rats on us? Maybe we should tie her up."

My face went pale. "That's really not necessary. I can give you my phone."

But Damien nodded.

Somehow they'd already found a length of rope. They bound my wrists and ankles.

After the last knot, Damien crouched down and warned me, "Selene, just hang tight. I'll be back soon."

"I know Indian women are dirty. I won't touch them."

Then, in front of everyone, he leaned in and kissed me.

Vivi's eyes practically shot flames.

I knew Damien wouldn't touch any Indian women.

But that didn't mean Indian men wouldn't touch him.

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