I can’t let on that I know what I know, and the moment Boris gets even the slightest hint that I’m happy about something, he’ll beat the truth out of me.
So, I get ready for the party in silence.
Olivia does my hair for me, curling it and pinning it up into a messy, but beautiful, high bun. She leaves a few strands hanging loose around my face.
When no one is looking, I take Andrei’s phone and slide it into the elastic at the top of my stockings. He said he doesn’t know when he will see me again, but I’m hoping it will be tonight.
If it isn’t, I will wait, though. And at least now I am filled with hope that everything is going to be okay.
I trust him with my life.
I trust him with my heart.
Olivia walks back in carrying a bottle of perfume.
“Here, he said you have to wear this.” I tilt my neck to the side, and she sprays a little onto my skin.
“Olivia, it’s going to be okay,” I whisper.
She pulls her mouth to the side and bites at the inside of her cheek.
I reach out and take her hand. “Hey, look at me.”
Her eyes are tearful as she looks into mine.
“It’s going to be okay. I promise. I have a plan.”
She shakes her head. “He’ll kill everyone,” she whispers, filled with panic.
I sigh, still smiling gently at her. “It might not be tonight, I don’t know when it will be, but I’m going to get everyone out of here.”
Olivia lets out a little sob and nods. “Okay, Miss Tia. I hope you can.”
I pull her into a tight hug and hold her close for a moment before letting her go.
A loud knock at the door makes both of us jump.
“It’s time to go, get downstairs now,” Van shouts from the other side of the door.
I roll my eyes at the closed door.
“You look beautiful,” Olivia says, with a sad smile.
“Thank you,” I whisper, then turn away from her.
I have a party to get to.
***
We’re at some over-the-top venue inside one of the city’s most expensive hotels. Whoever is throwing this party has booked out the entire hotel, and the place is packed with people dressed in designer clothes, floating around like they own the planet.
My stomach is knotted with anxiety. I wish that I could check Andrei’s phone to see if he messaged me or not. I’m dying inside, nervous and on edge. I keep looking around the room, searching for him in the crowd, and Boris is getting annoyed with me.
“Hey, I told you to pay attention. Stop getting distracted. This is important.” He drags me by the arm, his fingers digging into my skin, but his smile is friendly and polite as we walk past people.
He tugs me towards a group of older men, all in identical black suits, tailored to perfection for each of them.
“Fredrick, Bernard, it’s great to see you,” Boris gushes, fake and friendly. The men greet him, lifting their whisky glasses towards him.
