Page 47 of Hate to Love You

I nod, smiling up at him as he turns and walks away.

Briefly glancing around before I lean across and grab his drink, pretending to take a sip, as the powder slips out of my ring and into his drink.

I grimace, because I really don’t like the smell of whiskey, but also so that if anyone is looking at me, they’ll just assume the taste really isn’t for me.

A couple to my left screams, making me jump as they laugh loudly and dance, taking a video on the phone in their hands, the flash momentarily blinding me from the other side of the bar as it penetrates the darkness.

I put his drink back, grabbing mine and sipping it continuously to drain it, so when he returns my excuse is ready to go. I pull out my phone, my eyes taking in the screensaver of Lily, who I know is going to be waiting for me to return for dinner.

When Igor returns his hands grasp my shoulders from behind as he leans into mumble “Sorry.” He slides back into his seat that surprisingly stayed empty while he was gone and downs his whiskey in one.

Typical. Job done.

“Ready to head out?” He says, holding his hand out for me to take.

“Sure! Just let me go to the ladies’ room first,” I say, holding up my empty glass with a shrug of my shoulders. He laughs, his hand slapping down on the bar top. As I try to slide off my stool he doesn’t step back, forcing me to slide down his body, where I can feel his length poking against me, causing a quiver in the stomach.

Keep it together Abby. Just keep up the facade.

I fight the urge to cringe away from him, slipping past him into the crowd. My heart is in my throat as I fight my way to the ladies’ room, only to change direction when I see Oleg walking out of the men’s.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Turning I head straight to the door, fumbling as I pass people excitedly walking in.

Immediately I realize that I need a new plan. And fast.

“Teddy!” I yell, he spins on the spot, his face lighting up at the sight of me.

“Abby, baby! What’s wrong?” He asks, concerned.

“Please tell me there’s a cab here?! My neighbor just called saying there’s police at the house and that I need to come home immediately!” I ramble out, my adrenaline from what I just did actually making my voice sound breathless and panicked as I bounce on the balls of my feet.

He runs out of the doorway, his head jumping from side to side, as he waves his hand out.

“Abby! There’s one here!”

However, just as I reach the cab, a scuffle breaks out between two drunk people in line, and he turns to look.

But I can’t wait.

“Thank you, Teddy! You’re a lifesaver!” I shout, running past him and jumping into the cab that just pulled up.

“Wait…Abby!” he yells, forcing my eyes to his as the door closes behind me. It’s then that I realize he’s stood holding the door of a different cab.

Oops!

I throw him a quick wave, as we dart off from the curb.

“Where to?”

“Forest Hills,” I mutter.

In the next six hours, Igor Ivanov will be dead.

Chapter Nine

ROMAN