Page 76 of Baby for the Bratva King

The ceilings are high, the lobby much bigger than Felix’s.

The place has been decorated red to fit the Halloween theme. People here wear very extravagant Halloween outfits. The theme is sexy, not scary. Women wear long, drapey sequin dresses and matching sets. Lots of people seem to be wearing masks.

“This feels more like a masquerade,” I say to Felix as we walk into the function.

“People love masks—another excuse to hide more parts of themselves.”

Felix’s outfit enhances his features. His cheekbones are sharp, leading down to a sculpted mouth that I really want to kiss. His mouth is red, dripping blood like mine. The only difference is—the blood could be real. He could indeed be a real-life Dracula who leaves his victims to perish once he’s had his fill.

What does he do with his victims once he’s had his fill?

Question for another day…

I’m on a journey, letting my body carry me. But will I arrive at my safe haven? Hell no. Happy endings are a fantasy. I’m on a blissful journey, imperceptibly falling to my death.

“Here.” Felix grabs me a prosecco when the serving tray comes around. “To take the edge off. You look nervous tonight.”

I grab the flute of prosecco, examining the bubbles. “Any red wine around here tonight?”

Felix glances at me sidelong. “I think the red corset and vampire outfit is enough.”

“Maybe I’d like to drink blood.”

“Enough.” Felix clenches his jaw. “Halloween might be a novelty, but real evil is dark.”

“And probably hiding in plain sight.” I arch my eyebrow up at him. “What the hell do you do when the sun goes down?”

“Things we shall not be discussing here.”

I tilt my head back, neck starting to ache. Every time I look at Felix, I feel as though I’m admiring a high-rise building. I’m on the ground, and he’s all the way up in the air, seeing things I’m totally blind to.

He looks extra frightening tonight. Black eyeliner rings around his eyes, making the silver look twice as blinding. He wears a cape over his tux, a real creature of the night.

As I stare into his eyes, breaking my own neck in an attempt to understand him, I wonder how far this man will go to protect himself.

I take a sip of the prosecco, feeling the little bubbles pop under my tongue.

A string quartet plays staccato melodies over in the corner, the strings echoing through the room.

Cluster candles hang from the stone walls like medieval lights. That’s very much the theme tonight. I stare at the flames. They emit an orange glow out into the room, making the red feel softer.

A woman strolls past wearing a dramatic black outfit, like a sophisticated cat woman. I watch her go, following her up the stone staircase. She slips into a purple room upstairs, disappearing.

“What’s up there?” I gesture to the room.

“Halloween parties at the Ritz tend to be quite extravagant," explains Felix as he guides me through the crowd. “We have different rooms for different themes. Red is my favorite.”

I glance up at him, waiting for him to wink. But he’s being serious. Of course, red is his favorite color. He had blood streaked across his shirt the other night. Felix has probably been exposed to more blood than a surgeon.

“Mr. Pozharsky,” says a man I have never seen nor heard of in my life. “Robert Melnyk—Hedge Fund Manager at Wall Street.”

“Pleased to meet you,” says Felix, shaking the man’s hand. “What might you be dressed up as tonight?”

“A wizard.” The man steps back, extending his cloak. The tie is a nice touch, the wand comical, but there’s nothing magical about guys like him.

I know his kind well. Sugar addicts. They’re attracted to sweet things, like ants. They rush over, crawling over you the whole night, wanting a taste.

“Congratulations on the new launch.”