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Someone had a sweet tooth. “Of course,” I said, relaying the request to Olga.
“Anyway,” he said. “I would have killed to be able to stay in a place like this after my parents’ ‘death.’ I mean, the guy has arranged a night out for you.” He went over to the stack of shoe boxes, dismissing one after the other.
“Do you have Louboutins?” I ignored the little voice that told me I could never compete with Svetlana, even if I had the same shoes.
“I have everything,” he boasted, conjuring up some Louboutins from a box.
I tried on several pumps but couldn’t properly walk in any of them.
“So, the shoes…Is there someone in this house you’re interested in and are trying to get to notice you? Angel perhaps?”
Tommie was far too perceptive. “Angel is like a brother to me.”
“If not him, then who? I spotted like three hot guys before I even got in the front door,” Tommie exclaimed. “What is it with all the men here looking like models?”
“You should see their boss,” I mumbled.
Tommie apparently had ears like a bat, because he spun around. “Aha! So, thereissomeone here you’ve set your sights on.”
“He doesn’t see me in that way.” If he did, he wouldn’t make up some excuse about getting me killed.
A dangerous gleam entered his eyes. “He will once I’m through with you.”
Why did I have the feeling that I’d just let the genie out of the bottle?
Another hour passed, and by the end of it I hardly recognized myself in the mirror. There was no way that woman in the mirror could be me.
“I feel like Cinderella,” I said. “Without the stepsisters or stepmom who treat me like crap.”
Tommie laughed. “Or the carriage that might turn back into a pumpkin?”
“Okay, poor analogy,” I admitted. “But you know what I mean. I’ve never looked like this before.”
I was so ready to go out and dance the night away. I just wished Kristoff would be there as well. What I wouldn’t give for him to let the reins loose for just one night with me.
13
KATYA
Yuri had passed by the long line of people waiting by the door. One word from him to the bouncer was all it took and then we were inside. Jazzy Detta was already waiting for us in the VIP section of Flux, a club co-owned by Kristoff. It didn’t surprise me when I found out Kristoff had planned for my night out to be under his watchful eye.
The place had a dark and trendy ambiance going on. A checkered marble dance floor was in the middle of the room. Around it, about a dozen VIP tables had been arranged. Hardwood walls made the edges of the room seem darker, and a luxurious silver chandelier gave the place an almost art deco vibe. We made a beeline to our table.
A woman with dark hair and wearing a sexy red dress waved at us. Next to her sat her seemingly polar opposite—a shiny blonde in a backless red jumpsuit. That must be Mary. Tommie had described her as Barbie meetsSin City.
After we exchanged some small talk, Jazzy leaned closer to me.
“I just have to ask,” she said. “How did you end up with Kristoff Romanov? Gio said you’re his protégé, but honestly, I’m not sure what that means.”
“Just so you know,” Tommie added, “This night is like going to Vegas. We can ask and do anything, and it will stay between us.”
I was wondering when, not if, this question was going to come up. It had been the reason I always kept a distance from my fellow coeds. How was I ever going to explain things? Being here with these girls, I didn’t see any judgment in their faces, merely curiosity. I had an inkling they already knew what Kristoff did for a living. I was just grateful they didn’t mention the elephant in the room.
“My mom dropped me at his house. She was running from a stalker and asked him to keep me safe.” I told them the story, ending with my mom’s death.
Jazzy put a hand on my arm. “I’m sorry I asked. I didn’t know about your mom.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’d have asked.” Then I eyed her, remembering Tommie’s earlier comment. “Speaking of…How did you and Kristoff meet?”
