Page 94 of For a Price

I will come out on top.

My pulse is still racing when I return triumphant to the factory. We pull up in our Hummers, the doors springing open the second we’re in park.

It’s barely evening time, but I’m calling an early end to my day. I’m going to surprise Katerina by taking her out for dinner to celebrate the victory.

She won’t know the gory details of how Leonid met his end, but I will tell her I’ve finally done what I promised I would. I’ve finally avenged her for what he did. She’ll be so relieved to know he’ll never lay a finger on her again.

I can already envision the beautiful smile that’ll pop onto her face. Her arms that she’ll wrap around my neck. The kisses she’ll give me in thank you.

Maybe before we leave for dinner we’ll spend some time in the bedroom. We can fit in a quick fuck before the dinner reservations I’ve made.

I’m approaching the main doors flanked by my men when Oleg dashes toward me. Right away it’s clear whatever he has to say is serious.

He’s paler than usual, his expression shaken. “Zver,Zver, we’ve been trying to reach you!”

“I told you I was fucking busy,” I snarl. “Whatever it is can wait until tomorrow. Ya provozhu vecher so svoyey zhenshchinoy?*.”

“B-But, Zver?—”

“What?! What is it? Speak now! Quickly!”

“She has been… she’s been,” he chokes out, then gives a grim shake of his head, “Katerina has been taken.”

* Derevnya -village

* Dve strizhki za odnu tsenu -two haircuts for one price

* dyadya -uncle

* Ty dumal, chto ya ne pridu za toboy -you thought I wouldn’t come for you

* Ya provozhu vecher so svoyey zhenshchinoy -I’m spending the evening with my woman

CHAPTER 27

Katerina

“Wake up, you stupid girl.”

I’m poked and prodded until I jerk awake, startled and confused. I’m lying on the cold ground of a room that’s dank and dark. A shiver racks through me, paralyzing my spine and making it difficult to move.

I blink up at the shadowy figure standing over me and search my mind for what the hell’s going on.

Where could I be where I’d be passed out on the floor with someone kicking me in the ribs?

“I said get up!” the woman screeches, and then she thrusts her boot forward again. It collides with my side and forces a pained grunt out of me. She reaches a taloned hand for my curls, yanking hard to pull me up. “You think you’re at some beauty spa or something? It’s time to go!”

Go where?

What is she talking about?

Who is she?

All questions that flash through my head as I stumble to my feet and she drags me toward the door of the dark room. The light that spills in from the hall burns my retinas. I squintagainst it, trying to shield myself only for her to smack my hands away.

“Behave yourself or you will have a black eye you’ll have to explain to the Handler.”

…what the hell is a handler?

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