Finder's Fee

By Sonja E. DeWitt

Not all cages are barred. Some are million-dollar penthouses.
Katya Kozlov dreams of being a featured designer at New York Fashion Week, and those dreams are close to coming true when her life is turned upside down. Katya’s father, one of New York’s biggest mob bosses, loses his empire and goes into hiding. Being the fabulous dad he is, he stops long enough to settle his debts—by selling his only daughter to the deadly Yakuza boss, Shoichi Nakajima.

While Sho isn't known for mercy, there is something about Katya that has his tender side surfacing. Unable to let her be part of the world her father thrust her into, he promises to free her the moment he’s secured a new life for her far away from her father's enemies—and there are many.

Katya is as stubborn as she is talented and refuses to leave her life behind. And the more time Sho spends by her side, the less he wants her to leave...even if it means putting his own life at risk to keep her there.

Finder’s Fee is a romantic suspense featuring a woman willing to fight for what she wants, a mob boss who isn’t as much of a monster as his reputation suggests, a father who should never have been one, feelings neither one expected or wanted be experiencing, some really bad guys, true love, a prison made of luxury, and a bit of spice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Decadent Publishing
• Release date: May 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781683616733

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Finder’s Fee

Copyright 2021 by Sonja E. DeWitt

Digital ISBN: 978-1-68361-673-3

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

Published by Decadent Publishing LLC

Not all cages are barred. Some are million-dollar penthouses.

Katya Kozlov dreams of being a featured designer at New York Fashion Week, and those dreams are close to coming true when her life is turned upside down. Katya’s father, one of New York’s biggest mob bosses, loses his empire and goes into hiding. Being the fabulous dad he is, he stops long enough to settle his debts—by selling his only daughter to the deadly Yakuza boss, Shoichi Nakajima.

While Sho isn't known for mercy, there is something about Katya that has his tender side surfacing. Unable to let her be part of the world her father thrust her into, he promises to free her the moment he’s secured a new life for her far away from her father's enemies—and there are many.

Katya is as stubborn as she is talented and refuses to leave her life behind. And the more time Sho spends by her side, the less he wants her to leave…even if it means putting his own life at risk to keep her there.

Finder’s Fee is a romantic suspense featuring a woman willing to fight for what she wants, a mob boss who isn’t as much of a monster as his reputation suggests, a father who should never have been one, feelings neither one expected or wanted be experiencing, some really bad guys, true love, a prison made of luxury, and a bit of spice.

Dear Readers,

Thank you for taking a chance on Finder’s Fee. This is the first book in my organized crime series, so it holds a special place in my heart. I hope you enjoy getting to know Shoichi and Katya as they come to know each other.

For more information on my work you can reach out on Twitter @SonjaRedDeWitt.

Until our next journey,

Sonja

Dedication

To Emet—for the legacy you left me.

Finder’s Fee

By

Sonja E. DeWitt

Chapter One

Eyes of a Stranger

Katya sat facing her drawing table, anxiously tapping her pencil as she watched the clock on her office wall. Any minute now, her best friend and coworker, Jenny, would walk through the door with the most important news of her life.

The anticipation weighed heavily on her. She slumped forward and stretched her arms across the desk with her head resting against the designs she’d attempted to draft while waiting. She turned her head slightly and brushed her blonde bangs out of her eyes so she could see out the window. She watched the pigeons sitting on the building across from her and tried to focus on the city sounds outside, anything to keep from crawling out of her skin.

The door to her office swung open. You killed it, Katya!

She jolted upright and spun around in her chair to face Jenny, who stood with her arm outstretched to keep the door open wide. I don’t think I have ever seen Eileen’s eyes light up like that. She rushed over to Katya and slammed her hands down on her desk with a bright smile. Seriously, Kat, she’s talking New York Fashion Week! This is it. The moment you’ve been dreaming of since college!

Katya dropped her colored pencil. Are you serious? She’d worked at E.J. Couture for six years collaborating and designing retail fashion, and every year, she’d submit her own collection to CEO and design icon, Eileen Johnson, in hopes that hers would be highlighted at fashion week. Every year, it was the same disappointment. She couldn’t believe it.

Jenny nodded, and her round glasses started to slip from the bridge of her nose. It’s one of the best collections she’s ever seen. Her words, not mine.

You’re not just trying to make me feel good so I still go out for drinks tonight?

Jenny shook her head, causing her dark ponytail to sway side to side. I’m serious. We’re not just drinking tonight; we’re celebrating! She circled the desk to meet Katya on the other side. You did it! She hugged her tightly. I’m so happy for you.

Thanks, Jen. Katya couldn’t contain her smile. Life was perfect. All her hard work, all that time she’d spent questioning and doubting herself, all of the rejection, and having to pick herself back up again. It was worth it. She felt validated. Finally, she had everything she’d ever wanted.

I’ll see you at Remy’s Bar, usual time? Jen asked.

Yeah, I’ll be there.

Great! Dress up, tonight’s a special occasion after all. Jenny stopped at the door and looked back at Katya. Who knows, you’re having a good day, so maybe we’ll find you a man while we’re out and end that dry spell. Jenny laughed and headed out before Katya could respond.

Katya rolled her eyes and sat back at her desk. A man, huh? She shook her head and picked up her pencil.

So maybe she didn’t have everything, but an almost-perfect life was still better than most.

On her way home, Katya stopped by the office building where her father worked. She had always been close with her father. Everyone who knew her knew that much. While Katya came from money, she worked hard to take care of herself even when her father insisted. She was grateful for the life he’d given her, and she wanted to make him proud. It had been a few days since she’d spoken to him, but last she heard, he had a lot going on.

The elevator doors opened, and on the other side sat a young woman with dark hair pulled into a bun. She smiled at Katya. Good afternoon, Ms. Kozlov. What brings you in?

Hey, Olivia. Is my dad around? Katya pulled up on the strap of her purse as it slipped from her shoulder. I was hoping to talk to him.

No. If I’m not mistaken, I believe Mr. Kozlov is out of town on business. Did he not tell you?

What? She knew her father had been busy, but it wasn’t like him to not tell her he was leaving. Do you know where he was going?

I’m afraid not. It seemed rather sudden if I’m being honest. She picked up the phone beside her. I’m sure he just got sidetracked and will call as soon as he can. In the meantime, Mr. Genrich is here, if you wish to speak with him. I can let him know you’re here.

Katya checked her watch. She still had to get ready for tonight. That’s alright. I’ll try calling my dad. But just in case, if you could have Viktor call me this evening, that would be great.

Olivia nodded with a smile. Of course. I’ll pass the message along to Mr. Genrich now. Is there anything else I can do for you, Ms. Kozlov?

No, thanks, Olivia. Have a good evening! Katya grabbed her cell phone from her purse as she headed for the elevator. She was sure Olivia was right and there was nothing to worry about. Her father was always traveling, and if what she said was true and it was last minute, then she understood why he might have neglected to call her. She hoped he’d pick up, but when he didn’t, she left a message urging him to call her back. If she didn’t hear back from him, then she definitely wanted to talk to Viktor. He worked closely with her father and could shed light on where her father was and how long he’d be gone. For now, the best she could do was try not to worry and enjoy her evening.

Katya wasn’t concerned with finding a man, but Jenny was right; tonight was a special occasion. So, when she got home, she let her blonde hair down and changed into a black minidress, tights, and matching wedge heels. She wore a double-breasted wool lapel coat over her ensemble to keep from freezing on her walk over from her apartment to Remy’s Bar.

She was a fairly confident woman, but today, every step felt like she was conquering the world. She only wished she’d gotten the opportunity to share the news with her dad, but she knew he’d want her to have a good time, and that was exactly the plan.

When she arrived, Jenny and a few of their other friends were already seated near the bar with drinks in hand. There she is, woman of the hour! Jenny raised her glass and the others followed suit, cheering for Katya as she approached the table.

Katya tried to hide her face with her jacket, embarrassed by the attention. Stop it! At least let me have a drink before you humiliate me.

Pretty soon you’ll be too big-time for us to humiliate you, so let us have this. Jenny’s boyfriend Edwin clanked his glass with the others and laughed.

Like my status would ever stop you. Katya removed her coat and sat on the other side of Jenny who slid her a glass of wine.

I see you took my advice. Jenny nudged Katya’s side with her elbow. Hard to find a man who would pass you up looking like that.

You said it was a special occasion, so I took that to heart. Katya took a sip of her wine. If love finds me tonight, cool. If not, it won’t change my smile any. The last thing on her mind was a hookup. The only thing she could think about was seeing her designs on the main stage of New York Fashion Week. She didn’t have time to feel alone when there was so much work to do and so much to look forward to.

You know what they say, the moment you stop looking is when it finds you, their friend Cierra chimed in from across the table. But I also know it’s been a while, and after all the work you’ve done the last few months…you could stand to relieve some stress.

Katya laughed. What are you trying to say?

That you’re wound a little tight. Jenny laughed as Katya playfully smacked her arm.

Next to Cierra sat Alice who, based on the rosy shade of cheeks, was already a few drinks in. What about that guy who works for your dad, Kat?

Katya nearly choked on her merlot. You mean Viktor? No way, we’ve known each other since we were kids; he’s practically family. Even if she wasn’t interested in him romantically, she did hope he would call so she could ask him about her dad. She glanced at her purse, but her phone remained silent.

Well, if you aren’t interested, you should pass along my number because that man is an Adonis. Alice and Cierra nodded to one another.

Sure, but only if we can please move on from talking about my failures and start focusing on my success. Katya raised her glass and looked around the table.

Everyone mirrored her action and brought their glasses to hers. Deal.

Speaking of your father, was he excited to hear the news? Jenny asked as the others carried on with their own conversations.

I stopped by his office, but he wasn’t there, so I called and left him a voicemail. He’s been busy himself lately, so I get it. She tried to brush it off like it was nothing, but the more she lingered on the thought, the more she began to worry. She kept telling herself that he was okay. If there was an issue, Olivia or Viktor would have said something. He was just busy with work.

After a few rounds, Katya and the others walked over to a nearby club, but three songs in, and Katya was ready to call it a night. The anxiety she’d gone through earlier in the day was starting to catch up to her, and walking on Cloud Nine would only keep her upright for so long. She wished the others good night and headed back down the street to her apartment. She looked at her phone once she was out of the club, but there was still no call from Viktor, so she tried her father again: voicemail.

Hey, Dad, it’s me again. Please, call me when you get this. Love you. She sighed and returned the phone to her purse as she wandered up the front steps of her complex. She shifted through her purse, looking for her keys when the elevator door behind her dinged. She didn’t pay much attention to it. Probably a neighbor. She had her key halfway in the lock when something struck the back of her head. She stumbled back and her keys fell from her hand. She touched the side of her head. Her fingertips were wet with blood. Katya reached her hand out toward the wall to try and balance herself, but her vision blurred, and she crashed to the ground. She could only make out a human silhouette before the world went black. A day that had meant everything became nothing.

Katya’s head hurt. It took a moment for her to gather her surroundings when she regained consciousness, and immediately she was filled with horror. No. No. No. She struggled against the ropes binding her wrists and ankles. She couldn’t tell how long she’d been left that way—bound and gagged—but she wasn’t going to wait and find out.

She turned her head when she heard a door open. There was just a sliver of light, enough for her to make out the figure of a man in the doorway.

"Ah, myshka, you’re awake." The lights flooding the room were harsh against Katya’s eyes, but even with her eyes closed, she recognized the voice.

Viktor? Her speech was muffled by the