Chapter 106

I open my mouth to say something – anything – but the girl on Ivan’s arm is quicker than me. “Daniel,” the young woman ways with a sweet smile, pretending she doesn’t notice the tension and br you might unconsciously carry if you grew up American but lived in a Russian-speaking household all Daniel takes a deep breath and then shifts his gaze to the Russian girl, smoothing his expression with polite, familiar kiss on the cheek.

Mila laughs charmingly as Daniel kisses her, turning her face towards him as he pulls away so that the her sparkling silver dress. And as I survey her, I realize that she hasn’t said a word to me, or looked at Daniel, perhaps realizing this as well, turns back to me and smiles. “Mila and I were friends in our tee “Oh, Daniel,” Mila says, laughing and still ignoring me as she takes a step forward to grasp his hand. ” “Oh, no, I couldn’t -” Daniel replies, laughing, embarrassed.

“Please,” she pouts and my mouth falls open a little bit at how bold she is. “It would be so rude of you Daniel, faced with insulting who I assume is the daughter of a Russian mob boss, shrugs and complies As Daniel steps away, Ivan smoothly steps into the vacant place next to me. He doesn’t look at me, bu “Nicely done,” I say, crossing my arms and looking up at him. “How much did that cost you?” “Fifty bucks,” he replies, watching as Daniel and Mila take to the dance floor.

“Rich girl like that?” I ask, surprised, “took fifty dollars to dance with Daniel?”

“No,” Ivan responds, turning to look down at me and shifting his weight to knock his shoulder against her to marry?” Ivan’s eyes crinkle with humor as he looks down at me. “That was free.”

“Cruel,” I accuse, shaking my head at him a little but impressed despite myself. Ivan is, if anything, qui “Worth it,” he says, slipping a hand out of his pocket and, unseen, dragging his fingers down the lengt return my calls.”