Page 44 of For a Price

“Devochka,” he says a fourth time, a hint of affection in his tone, “will you shut the fuck up? You have a flair for the dramatic. But you will find that won’t stand here. You will be sleeping with me in my bed, but I won’t be fucking you… for now.”

Suspicion makes my right brow arch. “Then why do you want me here?”

“I’ve told you, kitty cat. You’re my pet. I do not mistreat pets… unless they ask for it. Unless they misbehave themselves. Are you planning on that being you?”

Slowly, I shake my head side to side.

“Good,” he says, letting go of my chin. “But there are rules. Rules you will always follow. Because you are my pet, you will remain here at the penthouse at all times… unlessItake you elsewhere. You are not to communicate with anyone you know—or with anyone else, for that matter. I will allow you use of the electronic devices, but all email, text, and call features will be disabled.”

Though I don’t say anything, my expression gives me away. Roman looms closer, peering down at me as if I really am a kitten he’s observing.

“What is it, kitty cat?” he asks. “You do not like that rule?”

“I have a best friend. Her name’s Rosita. We always keep in touch.”

He gives a grunt. Seconds pass where he thinks on what I’ve said and I’m left in the dark on what he’ll say next. “Alright, one call. I’ll allow you a call to her each week,” he says. “But I will be there… or one of my men will be, to make sure you’re not telling her things you shouldn’t. Is that fair?”

No.

Fair would be letting me have full agency to do whatever the fuck I want, when I want.

But I tamp down on giving my real answer. Instead, I nod my head in agreement.

“I don’t understand why you want me here. Especially if you’re not going to fuck me.”

“For now,” he adds a second time. He turns away from me to walk toward the floor-to-ceiling window that’s in the bedroom, boasting some of the same fantastic views as the rest of the penthouse. “Devochka, you seem to not understand what thefuck’s going on. You’re here because I want you here. I’ve taken you for myself. You’re my pet now.

“But, also, you’re here because the alternative would be death. For what you’ve done—the fucking shit you’ve put yourself in—you would be dead. Maybe not today or tomorrow. Maybe not even next week. But someday, when the sovietnik discovers who you are and what you’ve done.”

My insides twist into knots at the grim prediction. “Does that mean JC and the others will be?”

“They will be caught and murdered soon,” he answers nonchalantly. “My father is a vengeful man who will not let something like a kidnapping attempt go unchecked. Your best chance at survival is with me.”

“You’re… protecting me?” I say slowly. “But why?”

“I’ve told you. I like what I see. You are different from what I know. You are beautiful… but also rough around the edges. Delicate… but also a survivor. Obnoxious… but also intriguing. If you were not any of these things, I’d let you die.”

“Gee, thanks. That’s flattering.”

“Not flattering. Just honest. You’ll find that if you are sensitive, your feelings will be hurt often with me. I do not mince words, devochka.”

“So what am I supposed to do here all day?” I ask, coming up beside him at the window. “Just hang out and… what?”

“There is a gym. Home theater. Books. Entertain yourself. But when I want you to entertain me, you will,” he explains.

“Entertain… you?”

“You’ll see. We’ll be getting to know each other very well, kitty cat. But now, time for a shower.” He easily tugs the plain black crewneck t-shirt over his head. His hands reach for the button and zipper on his pants to undo those.

I stand by in yet another spat of speechless shock as Roman strips down before me like it’s nothing. His pants pool on thefloor as he steps out of them and then lowers his boxers. Just like that, he’s completely naked in front of me.

And glorious.

It’s the only word I can think of to describe his impeccable body.

He’s not just built like a tank. He’s sculpted like a work of art. One of those chiseled statues you see in museums.

His body is large and hulking, yet there’s a refinement about it. The muscle is cut and defined everywhere I look, from his broad chest to the power in his thick thighs. He’s hairy in an attractive masculine sort of way, tattoos inking various parts of his skin.

---