I spent last night locked in a bedroom in an expensive penthouse apartment that was clearly doubling as a brothel. The kind of place most of the women in the VIP area tonight would bring their ‘dates’ back to after some money changed hands.
I’m guessing it’s Kozlov’s way of showing me what’s in store if Jake doesn’t come through. While nobody touched me, there were knocks on the door all through the night, and I barely slept, afraid someone would get into my room.
“No, my dear.” Kozlov gives me a patient smile. “That was just a temporary arrangement. You’re going to be staying with me.”
I freeze. I thought the apartment was horrible, but now I’m wondering if it’s not the lesser of two evils.
“Don’t be scared,” he says, giving the driver the signal that we’re ready to go. “Nobody will touch you. Not before the auction.”
My gaze darts from Bodhi’s face to Kozlov’s, then to Dimitri. “What auction?”
Amused, Kozlov studies me. “For you. For your… innocence.” He smirks. “Thatmust be protected. You’ll stay with me until you’re handed over. Lennox will make sure nothing happens to you.”
Auction. Owner.
“Dimitri will check in every hour,” Kozlov adds, eyes flicking to Bodhi. “Don’t make me regret giving you this responsibility.”
I grip the door handle, struggling to breathe. “You said I needed to work off Jake’s debt.”
Kozlov watches comprehension dawn, like my distress is his personal entertainment. “And you will.” He laughs. “Many times over.” He turns to walk away.
Stuttering, I call after him. “What then?”
The car begins to pull away before he looks back.
A heartless shrug.
“You’re no longer my concern.”
5
BODHI
As the sedan pulls away from the curb, Kozlov’s parting words still hang in the air like poison.
Saturday. Theirs to dispose of as they please.
I force myself to look relaxed as I settle into the leather seat, but inside, my bear is tearing me apart.
My mate is terrified, exactly what that asshole wanted. And she has every right to be. She just learned she’s going to be sold, and there’s nothing I can do to ease her fears. At least, not yet.
Emma slides as far from me as possible then presses herself against the window.
The driver twists in his seat, his flat gaze sweeping over both of us. “You’re just the courier, Lennox. Behave yourself.”
I take note of his scarred face, his build, and the bulge of a weapon under his jacket. He’s one of Kozlov’s men, paid to report everything. Not just a mere chauffeur. The partition rises with a soft hum, but I’m not foolish enough to think that means privacy. There could be microphones. Cameras, even. Every word we say will undoubtedly find its way back to his boss.
My bear demands I snap the driver’s neck, drag Emma from this car, and run. We could disappear into the mountains. Run and never look back.
But then what? Emma might never forgive me if my actions get Jake killed. Chase’s operation would be blown, and the other women, potentially lost. Then Emma could spend the rest of her life looking over her shoulder, hunted by Kozlov’s men.
No. We do this the smart way. The patient way.
Even if it’s killing me.
Emma won’t look at me. Just stares out the window at the passing city lights.
I force my gaze away, locking my hands in my lap when the urge to pull her close becomes almost irresistible. My bear pushes forward, wanting to comfort her, to pull her close and tell her everything, that I’m here to save her.
