Page 28 of For a Price

I would’ve preferred if he did hit me. His touch makes me sick to my stomach. It makes me feel violated, which says a lot considering I just got done bathing in front of a man I barely know. But while Roman’s attention was overwhelming and uncomfortable, it was nothing like this. It wasn’t menacing or terrifying like this is.

I’d rather take athousandmore baths alone with Roman before I ever let this man touch me again.

When he rips his hand away, I can still feel him between my thighs. The tiny hairs on my arms and the back of my neck have risen, my entire body paralyzed in place.

Nasty grin as broad as ever, he steps back and says parting words to me in Russian. “Proshchay, devochka. Poka my ne vstretimsya snova. Ochen’ skoro?*.”

His heavy footsteps clack on the hardwood flooring on his way out. The door slams, and I flinch as if he’s still around. As if I still have reason to be scared out of my mind.

…and I do.

Several minutes pass before Roman returns. I’ve settled on the foot of the bed, staring blankly at the wall in front of me. Neatly folded clothes rest in the crook of his arm as he tells me about one of his men pulling him aside with some news about his business dealings.

“It was important, devochka. Otherwise I would’ve been back sooner. Did my kitty cat freeze while I was gone?”

I can’t bring myself to answer him given what happened only moments ago. He sets down the folded up clothes and then tips my face up, two of his fingers under my chin.

“What’s the matter?” he asks. “Why do you look like that?”

I turn my head away from him, avoiding his gaze. “It’s nothing… I’m just…”

I trail off, uncertain what to even say. How do I even begin telling him what happened with the man who claims to be his uncle? Would he believe me if I told him or would it infuriate him I’m starting conflict between them? Would he consider it wrong that he came in here to harass and molest me when, by his own admission, I’m just some pet?

“Devochka,” he says more firmly. “Look at me.”

I do as he says, braving a glance up at him, though still silent.

“You are upset. I can tell by how quiet and frigid you are. Did something happen in my absence?”

Stick to your plan. Just… just bide your time and wait for an out. This could be a trap. You don’t know him, or any of them, well enough yet…

I shake my head no. “I’m just tired.”

“We gave you a sedative. It might take some time to wear off.” He grabs the folded up clothes he’s set down beside me and then tosses them in my lap. “Here. Change.”

The clothes unfurl across my legs, revealing a silky slip dress and diamond leather cuff. It takes me another second before I understand the cuff is actually acollar.

The shock must read on my face. Roman picks it up and turns it over in his large hand, effectively making the leather band seem small and insignificant.

“This is for you to wear, devochka. It signifies your place here. You are mine.” He rubs his thumb over the diamond which probably costs more than anything I own. “People will see this on you when you are with me and they will know. You are off-limits.”

“People like who?” I murmur in disbelief, my insides twisting.

“Everyone you come across. You will be attending dinner with me. Put the dress on.”

I realize after a second that he expects me to change in front of him. With the same knotted-up feeling in my stomach, my fingers fumble to unwrap the towel I’ve clung to. It falls away, leaving me once again naked for his appraisal.

A shiver runs through me as I avoid a direct look at him and tug the slinky negligee-like dress over my head. It’s delicate and feminine, though not completely revealing—the fit’s loose enough that it simply alludes to my figure while stopping a couple inches down my thighs.

Roman snaps the collar around my neck himself. His thumb finds my bottom lip as he tilts my head back for another appraisal of me.

“I will have Ivanka come and do your makeup. Very light. Nothing heavy. And your hair. I want it up.”

I feel like I’m stuck in a horrible nightmare I won’t wake up from. I’m tense and uneasy, unable to even think straight. The stiffness in my body and twisty sensation inside makes me acutely aware how this is all so wrong.

Why won’t he just let me go? Why has he done this to me?

“Everyone is to believe you are my pet that I have purchased. Which means no speaking unless I tell you to,” he says. “No leaving my side, and no wandering off. You must obey everything I tell you. Your name is Kat. Only Kat.”

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