Page 43 of For a Price

“Come.”

Roman offers no other explanation. The car doors spring open and I’m ushered out of the SUV much in the same manner that I was ushered in.

I’m still speechless riding the elevator that’s encased in platinum gold. It dings once we reach the top floor and the doors roll open. We step out flanked by Roman’s men. I almost trip over my own two feet, causing the guy who’s behind me to step into me.

“Sorry,” I murmur. He’s cast me a dirty look and gone around.

Roman stops too. “What is it, devochka? Why do you look like a deer in headlights?”

“This… all of this… is yours?”

“My penthouse, da.”

I’m blown away.

Simply stunned into speechlessness.

There’s no other way to describe the top floor of the Northam Towers than to say it’s the epitome of luxury. We’ve stepped out of the elevator into a hall bathed in obsidian and platinum gold. My reflection gleams up at me in the floor below and crystal chandeliers shine from above. Abstract art hangs on the wall that I’m guessing costs in the thousands. I don’t even have to be an art connoisseur to know.

Staff await us as we walk through the penthouse lobby and double doors open to the spacious living room area and large glass windows overlooking the city of Northam. We’re seventy stories up with a bird-eye’s view of everything.

I’m dazed as I stop by the window and stare at the streets below, realizing that just days ago, I was one of the ant-sized people bustling about.

These same streets used to be myhome.

“Kitty cat,” Roman says. “Follow me.”

I turn away from the window and follow him through the rest of the massive penthouse that includes four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a home gym, private office, gourmet kitchen,andtheater room, among countless amenities.

He leads me into the master bedroom, which is bigger than any place I’ve ever lived.

There are whole apartments in Northam smaller than just Roman’s bedroom.

“You will sleep here every night,” he says, gesturing to the space. “With me.”

“Oh.”

I can’t hide the shock from my face. My gaze flits across the room, landing on the generously sized bed. Does a size bigger than king exist? If so, Roman has it in his bedroom.

He tilts his head to the side. “You do not like the idea of sleeping in my bedroom, devochka?”

“Hmm?” I mumble, avoiding eye contact. “What was that?”

“You are still so shy,” he observes. “My kitty cat doesn’t like being so close. Is that it?”

My hand comes to my face as the urge to cringe strikes me. “Look, I know I’m your pet, and I guess that means I have to fuck you now. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to be comfortable just… just moving into your bedroom.”

“Devochka…”

“But I guess that’s the point, right?” I sigh. “You’ll have pussy on demand. Which is clearly what you want.”

“Devochka…”

“Should we fuck now and get it over with? It’s been a while for me. Except when, you know, your uncle molested me last night. But go right ahead. Take what you want. I clearly get no say.”

“Devochka!”

Roman shuts me up by grabbing me by the jaw. His fingers grip my chin firmly, almost roughly, as if he’s reminding me who’s in charge. I fall silent at once, shocked by the blunt force. He’s forcing my attention, making me look up into his chiseled face.

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