“How do I know you won’t hurt her?” Jake is panting hard, and each word he speaks seems to pain him, probably because of some broken ribs.
“Because she’s worth more to me unharmed.” The casual way he says it makes bile rise in my throat. With an attempt at a reassuring smile, he comes so close that my skin crawls. “My establishments cater to a certain clientele. Wealthy. High class. They appreciate beauty and poise. Your sister has both.”
This must be what an out-of-body experience feels like. I feel like I’m floating above, watching this shit show unfold, with a growing sense of dread that’s now escalated into full-blown shock.
“You said I’d be safe for a week. Then what?” My question seems to please Kozlov, because he smiles like the cat who got the cream as he rests his index finger under my chin and turns my face this way and that.
I fight the urge to flinch. I refuse to give him that.
“If your brother doesn’t pay up, my clients will pay handsomely for the pleasure of your company until his debt is cleared.”
I don’t even realise my legs have given way until one of the guards catches me and eases me into a chair.
Panic scrambles my thoughts, making my growing hysteria worse. I hear Jake’s protests, the sickening thud of fists hitting flesh as he fights to get to me, but I don’t react, focusing on my breathing and staring at my hands so I don’t pass out.
“It’s that or I kill him right now, Emma.” Kozlov’s expression doesn’t change as he watches me. “You have tounderstand, this is a generous offer. I could shoot him where he stands, and you too, now that you’ve seen my face, to send a message to others who might think stiffing me out of my money is an option. Your choice.”
The threat hangs between us. There’s no other way out of this alive, for either of us.
“Okay.”
“That’s settled then.” Kozlov rubs his hands together before buttoning up his suit jacket, ready to leave. He tips his head, and two of his men close in on me, forcing me to retreat, hands raised in surrender.
“Don’t touch me,” I say. “I’m coming without a fight.” My hands are shaking, but my voice is steady.
Jake tries to grab me as I pass, eyes wild. “Emma, no…”
Kozlov is completely unbothered by Jake’s desperate pleas. “If you go to the police, she dies. Then you die. Understood?”
Jake isn’t listening as he frantically struggles to get free. “You can’t do this.”
“She wouldn’t know…” Jake chokes. “She’s never… please…” The word tears out of him, broken. “She’s never had sex.” Jake’s face crumples, because now it’s out there that I may not even be worth keeping to them.
Kozlov’s eyes sharpen with interest.
Goddamn it, Jake.
“Oh.” He moves closer to me, studying my face as if he’s seeing me for the first time. “You’re telling me she’s never…”
The man with the gun presses it harder against Jake’s temple. My brother’s eyes close, and he shakes his head.
“Never had sex,” Jake whispers, the words torn out of him, each one like another knife in my back. I told him that once. One time, after too much wine, when he wouldn’t stop asking about Mike.
Heat floods my face, not shame, but fury. Of all the things for Jake to reveal, this intimate detail about my life feels like the ultimate betrayal.
I can’t speak and can’t move, the horror of this moment is too much to absorb, while Kozlov’s laugh fills my apartment, rich with genuine delight.
“A virgin?” He smiles. “Interesting.”
If I survive this, I’m going to strangle my brother with my bare hands.
“Well.” He looks at me with new, appreciative eyes, as his men herd me out the door, with Jake’s desperate pleas falling away behind us. “This changes everything.”
3
BODHI
My skin feels too tight after weeks spent in fur.
