“Oh, I’m a horrible dancer.” I look at Max for back up on this.
“It’s true. She is.” Max is a good friend. “But who cares, we’re just having fun. Let’s go.”
“Okay, you remember the rules!” Caroline points to Max and Nicolette. “Phone numbers are two points, and free drinks are five.”
“Wait, what if they get free drinks for the whole table?” I shouldn’t be egging on this little game of theirs, but they’re having fun.
“If we get a guy to buy a full round? Ten points?” Caroline looks to Max and Nicolette for agreement, then points to the dance floor. “Then let’s go!”
I’m yanked away from the high table we were able to snag when we first arrived and am dragged into the swarm of bodies. The crowd is so thick it doesn’t matter that I can’t dance, there isn’t enough room to do much more than jump around and sway.
By the time I finally get Max and Nicolette to agree to take a break, a thin veil of sweat covers my face and neck. The high table we left behind has been taken over by a bachelorette’s party.
“Let’s get drinks, then we can find something.” Max tugs me toward the bar.
“I just need water. Can you get me one? I have to get some air.” I fan myself.
“Be careful!” She yells over the music as I slip away.
At the back of the club is a set of stairs with a bouncer standing at the bottom. He’s all puffed up like he’s ready to take on anyone who tries to get past him. A black earpiece is tucked into his left year.
He blocks the staircase as I approach, like I’m going to sprint past him or something.
“I’m just looking for some air. Do I have to go out front?” I lean into him so he can hear me.
“No. There’s a patio out that way.” He points toward the restrooms. “Just go past the bathrooms, down the hall. It’s for smokers, though, so I doubt there’s much fresh air out there.”
“That’s fine. Just need some cool air.”
He frowns. “You got someone with you? You shouldn’t be wandering around by yourself.”
“I’ll be fine. Thanks.” Besides, I’m sure I have two men somewhere around here that have their eagles’ eyes trained on me.
Ivan and Lev may have said they’d each have one or two of their men around, but I’m confident in believing it’s at least twice that. Their trouble with the DeAngelo family escalated when they sent someone to kill Kaz. Having us out in the wild like this wouldn’t be tolerated unless there were a small army hanging in the shadows ready to take on anyone looking suspicious.
As I make my way toward the restrooms, a familiar voice grabs my attention from above. When I look up at the balcony overlooking the dance floor a woman turns from the railing. For a second, she reminds me of Elana.
I stop cold, taking several steps back to get a clearer view of the balcony. She comes into view again, but only her profile. A man next to her is laughing and he wraps his arm around her, pulling her into him. I can’t be sure. I’ve only met her a handful of times, and she’s upstairs so I can’t get closer to be positive.
Deciding it’s not her, I make it outside into the cool autumn breeze. Winter will be here soon, along with the cold and ice and the snow. My favorite time of year is when the city is blanketed in fresh snow. It only lasts until after morning rush hour. Then the dirt and oil from the cars and busses will turn everything into gray mush. But in those few quiet moments before it’s all messed up, it’s pure and fresh, and uncorrupted.
“Hey, do you have a light? I forgot my lighter with my girlfriend.” A guy with shaggy light brown hair taps my arm.
“No. Sorry. I don’t smoke.” I put my hand protectively on the small purse I have strapped across my chest.
He frowns. “Why you out here then?” He heads off to a couple standing off in the corner of the patio before I can answer him.
Letting his rudeness roll off my back, I grab my phone from my purse. It’s already eleven o’clock.
Got another one!
Caroline’s text comes through at the same time as a notification that Ivan has sent one as well. Swiping away her declaration of victory, I open the text thread with Ivan.
Meeting finished early. Heading your way.
I check the time stamp; it came through five minutes ago. Which means I probably have ten or fifteen minutes before he muscles his way into the club.
It’s a girl’s night, Ivan. No boys allowed.
