Page 90 of For a Price

Roman lets me make more phone calls to Rosita. I’m still required to be around someone while placing the call, though it winds up being his chef Edik, who barely knows a lick of English.

“Fozzil died,” Rosita says. “He couldn’t overcome his injuries. Finch and JC are devastated.”

My stomach clenches at the grim news. “That’s… that’s terrible. I was hoping he’d pull through.”

“I’m still worried about you, Kat,” Rosita sighs. “Why won’t you give me any details to your whereabouts?”

“I’ve told you. It’s complicated. But just know I’m alright.”

“So complicated guys are coming looking for you?”

I frown and glance over my shoulder. Edik’s busy flipping through a culinary magazine. “What guys are looking for me?”

“Not sure who they are. But they’re Russian.”

“Russian?” A chill passes over me, and I grip the phone tighter. “Why would anyone Russian…”

“Kat, what have you gotten yourself mixed up in? What am I supposed to tell them?”

“Just… just don’t answer.”

“Fuck that!” Rosita snaps, losing her patience. “And if they try roughing me up? Then what? You know your shit doesn’t just affect you! I’m involved now too!”

“I… I hadn’t thought about that. Oh man, I’m so sorry, Ros… if… if anybody fucks with you…”

I don’t even know how to finish my sentence. Would Roman be willing to get involved? Who would even be looking for me at Rosita’s apartment?

It can’t be Roman and his men. But it also doesn’t seem to make sense for it to be Leonid either—he already knows I’m in Roman’s custody.

The sovietnik?

Has he finally put two and two together and figured out I was involved in the kidnapping attempt? Have I finally been caught red-handed?

Roman’s ominous warning from the past replays in my ear.

He was very angry, devochka. He would have your head on a pike.

I feel sick, so sick that Rosita’s talking to me on the other end of the phone yet I’ve tuned her out.

“Hello? Hello, Kat?”

“I’m here,” I mumble. “Ros, is there anywhere else you can go stay ’til I get to talk to Rom?—”

“Who? Who’s Rom?”

“’Til I can talk to someone I’ve been staying with. I promise I’ll update you soon, okay?”

We hang up with a tension existing between us that’s never been there before.

Guilt fills me to the brim. I feel terrible for accidentally getting Rosita involved in my mess. She’s been my best friend for years and has always looked out for me, often letting me sleep on her sofa when the alternative was the street. How could I put her in harm’s way?

If someone hurt her, I wouldn’t ever forgive myself…

“Would you like to go outside for your walk?” Edik asks in broken English. He tosses aside the magazine he’s been flipping through and gives me a kind smile.

Normally, I’d return it and attempt to make small talk. I’d attempt to show off what little Russian I have learned for his opinion, but I can’t bring myself to do so today.

I’m so caught up in my head.

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