Page 102 of Stolen Empire
I don’t recognize the new men, but the job won't get done if I don't work with strangers.
One of these men may know who's been coming after Dimitri and that's my job to find out.
"Good." He gestures to the men beside him.
"These are my associates. They wanted to meet you before we move forward."
I nod at them, keeping my expression neutral.
One is older, his face lined and hard.
The other two are younger, their eyes cold.
"Let's talk business," I say.
"Of course." Daniil moves closer, his hands in his pockets.
"But first, we need to make sure you're clean."
My stomach drops.
"What?"
"Standard procedure. You understand."
He nods to the younger men.
"Check her."
They move fast.
One grabs my arms, pinning them behind my back.
The other runs his hands over my body.
He gropes my tits, squeezes them unnecessarily roughly, and grabs my crotch too.
When I wince and scowl at him, he returns to my chest, finding the wire immediately.
"Got it," he says, ripping it free.
Pain flares across my ribs as the tape pulls skin.
I bite down on a cry, but the moment sinks in slowly.
I had no idea they were going to check me for a wire.
He's never done this before.
Daniil holds up the wire, examining it.
"Interesting. Who were you broadcasting to, Katya?"
"No one." My voice is steady even as my pulse hammers.
"I was just making a recording for my own records. For protection…"
Even as I say the words, I sense myself cracking.
