There’s a shriek of panic from behind the bar — presumably Ashton has just seen the gun.
In the next second, there is a scramble of rapid movements, as Konrad lunges for the bar. I look over my shoulder to see Natalie and Ashton hop up from their hiding place, looking totally pale and terrified.
“Run!” I scream at them as Konrad rushes around toward the other side of the counter. Both girls let out strangled cries of fear and start to bolt, Nic and Konrad both turn to run at them, and out of the corner of my eye I see Oskar reach for something at his hip.
But amidst the chaos we all hear the dreadful click of Ivan cocking his weapon.
“Everybody stay still and shut up!” Ivan commands. And to my surprise, everyone obliges completely. With his gun fixed on Oskar, he takes several steps forward, never taking his eyes off of me.
“Set that gun on the floor,” Ivan adds.
There’s a pause. And then with a scathing look, Oskar draws the gun, raising his arms out as he slowly bends to the ground. I hold my breath, watching him dutifully lay the weapon down and stand back up.
“Now, all three of you pieces of shit need to leave quietly.”
Once again, there is a moment of hesitation. And then the three thugs resign themselves and make their slow, hateful procession across the room toward the exit. Ivan follows them with his steely gaze until they pass him, and then he looks down at me with an expression of mingled apology and horror.
He opens his mouth to say something, but before he gets the chance, Nic charges at him from behind, tackling him to the ground, with Konrad following quickly after. In that instant, I see Oskar bolting back toward me — and realize that he is running to collect his gun. Without even thinking, I jump to my feet, ignoring the pangs of agony coming from my legs and stomach. I take a few quick, long strides and kick the gun across the floor so that it slides underneath one of the couches lining the wall. Then I spin around and spread out my aching arms in an instinctual position of protection, knowing that Natalie and Ashton are somewhere behind me.
I look up to see Ivan wrest one arm free and strike Nic hard across the back of the head with the gun. The big guy yelps in pain and falls to the floor, clutching his head. Konrad is attempting to muscle the gun out of Ivan’s hand, but Ivan is too quick for him and deftly slips his other arm around Konrad’s neck. With the asshole locked in a chokehold, he presses the gun to Konrad’s temple, causing the thug to stop squirming and gulp hard.
Oskar is running toward the couch, desperate to get his gun. But Ivan clears his throat loudly and calls out, “Leave it, swine!”
Oskar spins around and glares at him — and then notices that his two henchmen are out of commission, leaving him alone to defend himself.
“One wrong step and your friend is dead.”
“Kill him, I don’t care,” replies Oskar, but his face betrays his true feelings.
“And you’ll have to explain to your boss why your team is one man short. I know you don’t want to deal with that, now, do you?” Ivan counters confidently. “Besides, with just two of you left, what do you really think your chances are of getting out of this room alive?”
“We’re just doing our jobs,” Oskar replies plaintively.
“I called you off. This is my job now. Leave and do not come back here. If I see your ugly face in this club again I will beat you until even your own mother will not recognize you. Tell your matushka I said hello, by the way,” Ivan adds with a cruel grin. Oskar goes pale.
“You’ll regret this,” Oskar snarls as he finally leaves, snapping his fingers so that Nic gingerly gets to his feet to follow. With a final tap of the gun barrel to Konrad’s forehead, Ivan releases him, this time focusing the gun on the three thugs until they skulk out of sight. He doesn’t move until we all hear the door open and slam shut again.
Then Ivan returns his gun to its holster and crosses the room to give me his hand. In a daze, I take it, staring wide-eyed and shocked at Ivan.
“Come. I will take you home,” he says quietly but firmly. I know there is no chance of declining this particular offer.
As he leads me away, I manage to call back to Natalie, “Close up. Go home. Club is closed tonight. I will call you later.”
Natalie and Ashton both whimper faint sounds of assent as Ivan half-carries me out the door and into the rain.
8
Katy
My head is resting against the cool glass window of Ivan’s car. It’s a brand-new black Mercedes with a spacious interior, but I can hardly pay attention to the luxurious ride I’m being taken on with everything that’s racing through my head.