Page 32

Kiril’s usual scowl deepened as he groaned. Kiryl chuckled, glancing at his brother who simply shook his head.

“Good one, Miss Nirah.” Kiryl stepped up to my side, extending his arm. “Mr. Antonio will be meeting us at the event. The three of us are escorting you to and from.”

I nodded, snaking my arm around his. “Why thank you.” I smiled brightly. “He’s definitely my favourite triplet.” I teased, glancing between the other two men and was led downstairs and to the car.

Kiril slipped into the driver’s seat with Koren in the passenger seat and Kiryl beside me in the back.

Koren had his cellphone pressed to his ear for most of the drive, conversing in Italian, and when he glanced back to nod at Kiryl, my brows drew together.

“No woman shows up to an event empty handed.” Kiryl firmly stated, handing me a black clutch.

I peaked inside to find a handgun, a pocket knife, a vial with clear liquid and a sealed needle. Koren reached back and handed me an earpiece that my hair covered perfectly.

“There’s no turning back now.” Kiril’s hoarse voice gripped my spine and when my head lifted, icy grey eyes were piercing at me through the rear view.

“It’s not my first rodeo.” I offered a fake smile and he scoffed, pulling up behind a line of other cars surrounded by flashing lights and what seemed to be reporters.

My heart raced in my chest but when we passed the entrance of the building, my stomach churned.

I glanced back out the window then at Kiryl. “Wait, where are we going?”

His eyes lifted to mine. “You’re not attending as Mrs. De Luca, you’re attending as one of the dancers. So you have to enter where they do. The back door.”

I chewed the inside of my cheek and the car came to a stop, making my palms turn sweaty.

All three men climbed out and Kiryl extended his hand toward me, helping me out of the vehicle.

Koren approached a rusty door near the back of the building, and a chill raced down my spine.

The sky was dark, the air thick with anticipation.

A small opening appeared in the centre of the door, revealing dark eyes before the latched slammed shut and the door unblocked.

Koren nodded at his brother who then walked me up to the door. It opened, and I was ushered inside. Before I could turn to ask anymore questions the door slammed shut behind me, engulfing me in darkness.

“Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!” A high pitched voice in the distance startled me, followed by two encouraging claps.

Hesitantly, I approached the voice. I was confronted by a large black curtain and when I pushed it aside, my eyes squinted, adjusting to the bright light. A dressing room.

Girls—fully dressed, half naked and or in lingerie— appeared as they filled the space, all seeming to get ready.

“Ah, you must be Roxanne.” A short male appeared with pitch black hair gelled back and a sleeveless pink t-shirt.

“That’s me.” I smiled, swallowing the awkward tension lumped in my throat.

“What took you so long?” He gripped my shoulders, black polished nails digging into my skin. “The girls are getting ready, chop chop.” He pushed me toward a vanity mirror and shoved me onto the seat. “Sexy. Slutty. Smoking hot. Got it?” He narrowed his eyes and I nodded.

“Got it.”

“Perfect!” He beamed, clapping his hands together before hurrying to another blonde. “That’s the wrong shade.” He flicked his hand with disapproval and I looked over at myself in the mirror.

“You’re here.”

Silvia plopped down beside me and my eyes grew wide. I leaned forward, engulfing her in my arms and she chuckled.

“Did anyone hurt you? Are you—”

“I’m fine.” She assured me with a smile. “I know what I need to do tonight.” She leaned in to whisper, then glanced around.