Chase is watching me. Of course, he is. Nothing gets past a wolf, especially not a shifter on the edge of losing control.
“When do I start?” The words scrape out of my throat, barely human.
His eyes narrowed, but he doesn’t comment on whatever he’s sensing. “Tonight. Kozlov’s club. We’ll get you credentials.”
I nod once and stand, needing to move, to burn off some of this energy before I do something I can’t take back.
“Bodhi.” Chase’s voice stops me at the door. “Whatever’s going on with you right now—keep it together. This woman’s life depends on it.”
He has no idea.
She’s already mine.
And I will burn this whole damn world down to get her back.
4
EMMA
It’s been two days since Kozlov took me from my apartment, and tonight, I see the future he has planned for me.
The midnight-blue silk dress Kozlov selected clings in all the right places, the exact opposite of what I want. Every appreciative glance that slides over me feels like a target being painted on my skin.
I’ve never felt more naked while fully clothed.
We walk through the exclusive nightclub into a separate section at the back that drips with wealth. Crystal chandeliers cast a golden light over burgundy leather and polished mahogany. Here, the atmosphere shifts, the polished glamour taking on a darker edge. Sexual energy pulses beneath the surface like a heartbeat.
Exotically dressed women dance on stage and twirl around poles. Men and women are dressed in expensive, full glam, barely there lingerie, or bondage gear.
There doesn’t seem to be an in-between.
Kozlov steers me deeper into the dimly lit space toward a set of red velvet ropes at the rear. Every set of eyes that lands on memakes me feel vulnerable and violated, like they already know I’m not here of my own free will.
They can spot fresh meat a mile off.
Every instinct screams at me to run, to fight, to do something other than walk meekly into this den of predators, but dead girls don’t escape. So, I keep my face neutral, my mouth shut, and play the docile captive while I wait for my chance.
Jake still has time to pull something out of the bag and get the money. I just need to survive until then.
“Perfect,” Kozlov murmurs, his hand settling on my lower back. His palm is warm through the thin silk, and my skin crawls at the possessive weight of it.
I want to shrug him off. Tell him not to touch me, but I remember his warning in the car:cause a scene, and you die, so I keep walking.
“I thought I’d bring you to the private rooms,” Kozlov murmurs, his breath brushing my ear. “Introduce you. Let people see what I’ve acquired.”
His fingers tighten on my back. “But you’re worth more untouched.”
The way he says it makes my stomach roll. “I’m not wasting that.”
I try not to let my fear show as I closely observe the clientele in this room. This isn’t a club you stumble into. The glamour is a mask, and everyone here knows what’s underneath.
“Kozlov.” A dark-haired man with silvering sideburns approaches us, accent crisp and back ramrod straight. “This must be the new girl everyone’s buzzing about.”
Listening to his voice, you’d think he was a well-educated British socialite talking about the latest antiques on sale at Sotheby’s, not a person who’s soon to pay for sex.
“Beautiful, yes?” Kozlov answers. “I think there will be a lot of interest. I recommend booking your spot today, Henry.”
Henry nods, but his expression is grim. “Paying to take part seems a bit much. Another cash grab?”
