Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
She nods, and when the bartender places two shot glasses down, she picks up one.
“Why did you help me get into the nightclub?”
“My father is owner, and it looked like you could use favor,” she answers. We clink glasses, then she adds, “Welcome to Russia, Everleigh.”
That explains the bodyguards. Svetlana’s father must be wealthy.
We drink the shots, and the alcohol tastes like dishwashing liquid. My body shudders, and I struggle not to cough. “God,” I chuckle. “It’s bitter.”
She lets out a burst of laughter, and a moment later, her face lights up, and she waves excitedly. “My friends are here.”
I follow her line of sight and see two men and four women approaching us. Svetlana stands up and hugs each of them.
While I’m watching the group interact, I think about the random encounter with Svetlana. It’s not in my nature to talk to strangers, but she looks the same age as me, so I don’t think there’s any harm in socializing with her.
Also, the energy pulsing through the nightclub is a nice change of pace. I’m tired of watching TV in the hotel room every night.
Svetlana gestures for me to follow them as they head toward a luxurious sitting area. Picking up my backpack, I join the group, and while they’re all sitting down, Svetlana pats the seat next to her. “Come. Sit down.”
She waves a hand at me while saying something in Russian. I make out the word ‘American,’ and everyone smiles at me.
Feeling out of place, I shift on the seat, doing my best to return their smiles.
This is the most awkward and impulsive thing I’ve ever done.
One of her friends says something I don’t understand, and it has Svetlana glancing over my clothes. She replies to her friend before she gives me a wide smile. “I want to ask favor.”
My eyebrow lifts, and I feel a tinge of apprehension. “What?”
“You come to bathroom with me and exchange clothes.” She shoots a glance at her guards. “We will go to dance floor, and you pretend to be me.”
Frowning at her, the apprehensive feeling grows. “Why?”
Svetlana lets out a chuckle. “I want to escape guards for one night. Do me favor. Please.”
Yeah, I’m not so sure about this.
Svetlana has guards protecting her for a reason.
“I’ll get in trouble,” I state the obvious.
She waves a careless hand. “No. You just wear my clothes and dance. Nothing will happen. You can leave after I’m gone.” She gives me a pleading expression. “I just want one night. Please.” She takes hold of my hand. “My life is ahh… suffocating. I want normal.”
We’re just swapping clothes.
Feeling sorry for her, I give in and nod.
A bright smile spreads over her gorgeous face, and I’m yanked to my feet as she gets up. “Thank you! Let’s go.”
I quickly grab my backpack. The other girls join us and surrounded by their giggles and Russian words, I’m ushered to the restroom.
“Thank you,” Svetlana says again when she shrugs off the jacket.
We begin to exchange clothes, and while I put on her high heels, I think about the long walk back to the hotel.
Hopefully, I can get a cab.
Svetlana fluffs my hair out, her eyes perusing me. “Good. This will work.”
Honestly, her guards are stupid if they don’t notice the swap.
I’m already regretting my decision to help her. I should’ve told her no and gone back to my hotel.
“I’ll carry backpack to dance floor,” she says while shoving her purse into my hands.
Hooking her arm through mine, she gives me another smile. The other girls walk in front of us, and I notice they try to block our faces as we head to the stairs.
The two men who are waiting at the table get up and follow us to the lower level. Svetlana quickly pulls me into the dancing crowd.
“Wait ten minutes before leaving,” she says right by my ear. She sets my backpack down by my feet and takes her purse from me.
“Let’s go,” one of the guys says while nervously glancing around.
The other guy and four girls stay with me while Svetlana makes her escape. I dance so I don’t look like an idiot and keep giving Svetlana’s friends awkward smiles.
Okaaayyy…this is not weird at all.
It’s only been five minutes when one of the girls waves at me, and the group leaves to join Svetlana. I feel a flutter of nerves and continue to dance while glancing around me. I try to see where Svetlana’s bodyguards are. I didn’t get a good look at them, though.
Ugh, I hope this doesn’t bite me in the ass.
Sweat starts to bead on the back of my neck as I wait another ten minutes. Feeling the urge to make a run for it, I grab my backpack and rush toward the exit.
I hear Svetlana’s name being called behind me and shove my way through the dancing crowd.