Page 126 of For a Price

“Tell him I said thank you for providing security for my apartment. It’s kept those other Russians away.”

I cringe and rub a hand across my face. “Shit, Ros, sorry I’ve gotten you mixed up in this. I really didn’t mean to…”

“All that matters is we make it out of this alive. You and me.”

“Besties for life,” I finish for her, and we both laugh.

“But, seriously, what’s the plan? You can’t just have your Russian boy toy provide security forever. JC or the other Russian guys will return eventually…”

Rosita doesn’t even realize how what she’s said has planted an idea in my head. She carries on talking like she hasn’t just given me what I’ve been looking for—an opportunity to exercise some agency and take back some control.

Some way to feel like less of a victim.

“Ros,” I say softly, “you think JC will come back?”

“If he thinks the coast is clear… and it’s worth it. I told you he came by the apartment a few times looking for you. Why?”

“I’ll call you tomorrow. Something just came up.”

Rosita’s asking follow-up questions when I cut the phone call short. Oleg has finished briefing Roman about whatever is in the documents he’s given him. Roman’s so engrossed in them that he doesn’t notice me sidling up until I’m only a couple feet away.

His dark blue gaze flicks up to meet mine and his jaw sets as if sensing it can’t be good.

But all I can do is stare at the scratch marks on his face and think about how desperate I am to have some role to play in the takedown he’s plotting.

“I have an idea,” I say. “I think I know how we can finally get JC.”

CHAPTER 36

Katerina

It almost takesa miracle to get Roman to agree to my plan.

After several days of asking, begging, pleading, and insisting I can handle it, I’m a step away from turning to prayer when he finally caves.

He pulls me close and peers intensely into my eyes, speaking in a tone that’s calm yet strangely authoritative all at once.

“I swear, devochka, if something goes fucking wrong…” He trails off with a deep breath.

I sense the undercurrent of pure rage that exists inside him and rush to quell his concerns. Sliding my hands up his broad, muscled chest, I rise up on tiptoe and kiss the edge of his jaw.

“Everything will be fine. You and your men will be in the area. You’ll be watching me the entire time.”

“If he even looks at you the wrong way…” he starts again before he’s unable to finish. Another difficult breath rumbles out of him like the beast he’s nicknamed after and then he gives up altogether. His large hand slides up the side of my neck and he draws me toward him for a kiss, bowing his head at the same time.

Some would say it’s crazy as hell to do what I’m doing.

Why would I ever volunteer to put myself in harm’s way after what I’ve been through? Why wouldn’t I find comfort in the fact that I have a big, strapping, deadly bratva boyfriend who is willing to nuke the world over me?

It’s not that I don’t.

Roman provides me a sense of safety I’ve never felt before in my life. Maybe that’s what’s helped me reach the conclusion I have.

That I have to do this.

I have to stand up for myself. I have to seek revenge for the first real time in my life.

I’m not going to lay down and take it anymore. I’m done letting men like my foster father and JC and the pakhan hurt me.

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