Page 101 of For a Price

I’m shoved through the opening in the cage. The door slams shut and he twists the lock. Inside there’s a perch for me to sit on.

Sit on and wait.

Half an hour later, as the show begins and the audience arrives, I realize that’s exactly what I’m supposed to do.

Mine and nine other cages are suspended in the air like entertainment. The watchful gaze of the audience burns my skin up in the worst way. I find I can’t meet their eyes as they leer and murmur among themselves.

Some point at us. Others catcall.

Borys speaks to the audience like he’s a showman presenting fabulous items for auction. Each cage is numbered and he makes his way through by asking for bids.

I’m cage number ten. The last to be bid on.

Hot tears track down my cheeks as I hang my head and refuse to look at who’s bidding on me.

But I can’t tune out their voices. The demeaning numbers echo in my ears.

“Five hundred!”

“Two thousand!”

“FIVE THOUSAND!”

It’s a game to these people. Their voices tremble with excitement the higher they bid, seeking to outdo the competition.

“Six thousand it is!” Borys shouts into the microphone and the crowd roars with applause.

The sick reality sinks in.

It’s happened.

I’ve been sold.

CHAPTER 29

Roman

“Zver,you can’t go on like this,” says Kazan. “You are wasting your time.”

I’m loading my weapons, my back turned on him. We’ve pulled up to the latest location I’ve tracked Katerina to. The others have been duds or dead ends.

My team has analyzed every second recorded by the cameras on the factory grounds and have used facial recognition technology to identify the assailant.

His name is JC Howell, Katerina’s partner in the kidnapping scheme. The same asshole whose teeth I knocked out and part of the same crew who left Katerina behind.

Fozzil’s death has angered him. It’s made him bold enough to seek revenge.

He probably figures he has little else to lose since I’ve made it clear his little band of criminals are on my hit list. Why not strike first by taking Katerina?

I get the reasoning. I understand the move he’s made. But he doesn’t realize what he’s done.

His life will be hell. His existence will become agony.

He’ll be torn limb from limb, and I’ll relish the pain and torment he experiences. If he’s harmed my kitty cat in any way, I will do so much worse to him.

“Zver,” Kazan says. “Zver, do you hear me?”

“You seem to think you’re able to negotiate this, Shram. There is no negotiation. If you have no interest in participating, then you can get the fuck out.”

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