Page 87 of For a Price

“Kiss me, kitty cat,” I demand.

We meet for a full kiss on the mouth. The passion between us is immediately hot and deep. The longer we’re together, the more we can’t restrain ourselves; the more intensely things burn between us.

“Roman, where were you?” she gasps once we part. She blinks, revealing tears in her big brown eyes. She pushes at my chest, suddenly frustrated. “You didn’t tell me where I was being taken. You just got out of the car and ordered me away!”

I hadn’t considered how it would be perceived from her point of view.

In the moment, I made a snap decision. I was trying to protect her, arriving at the scene where the place we called home was up in flames. But from Katerina’s perspective, she must have been confused and worried.

Maybe even scared.

By Oleg’s complaints, it seems she received little consideration from my men.

I pull her toward me again for another kiss. My lips press against hers even harder, more insistent in the way I convey what I want.

That she is a priority. She has become… one of my top priorities.

“It will be different next time, devochka,” I promise. “Next time I will make sure you understand what is happening.”

“But… but the building… how… what… who did it?”

“We still don’t know, but I have my theories.”

“Was it…” she pauses to gulp, blinking up at me, dripping with worry. “Was it Leonid?”

“Maybe. It could be. But he does not have long to live,” I say, stroking her cheek. “He will never come anywhere near you again.”

It angers me even more to see the subtle doubt flicker on my kitty cat’s face, as if deep down it’s a worry she’ll never be rid of.

“Come, it’s been a long night,” I say, grabbing her hand and leading her toward the bed. She’s still in the cocktail dress from our date. I ease her around and tug down the zipper to the dress and then slip it off her. My shirt’s next, and then my pants.

We take a long hot shower together like we’ve become accustomed to, though we’re too exhausted for any messing around.

Katerina rests her head on my shoulder once we slide under the bed covers. The silence that surrounds us speaks volumes. No words are necessary.

Her worry is palpable. So is my fury.

We rest in silence until she’s drifting off to sleep and I’m not far behind her…

* fabrika -factory

* Chto ty khochesh’ -what do you want?

* Tvoy titul tebya ne zashchitit -your title won’t protect you

CHAPTER 25

Katerina

If I thought being stuckinside the penthouse was bad, being confined to the factory that’s Roman’s base of operations is so much worse.

A sigh rolls out of me on day six as I glance out the window and admire the sunlit grounds. Roman’s been busier than ever, presumably handling the fire situation, which means I’m spending most of my time alone.

I get it from a mature standpoint. Work has gotten in the way. The conflicts are too pressing for much else.

But it doesn’t make it any easier for me when I’m confined inside a cold brick factory that’s more than a century old. The insulation is terrible and the amenities are few and far between. Unlike the penthouse, which was luxury, the factory only has the bare minimum needed to survive.

You can really tell it’s primarily been a hub for bratva operations. Not so much a place for leisure and comfort.

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