Chapter 2 - Raisa

I wrap my arms around Ruslana’s neck, hugging her so tight she squirms to get away. I feel happier than I have felt in a very long time.

I can’t believe it’s all coming together—my dreams finally feel like a real possibility and not just some distant fantasy.

Coming to America was a massive step for my family. I know my brothers all think that this place is the perfect city to build our family business. Boston is known for its high energy and fast-paced living. It’s an ideal place for our family business to thrive.

But I don’t care about any of that Bratva shit. I want out. I want to get away from it. And it just so happens that coming to America allows me the opportunity to do that.

Back home I completed my studies and graduated college just before we left. My brothers think that I’ll be ready to start working in the family business now, but the truth is that the qualification I got was only the first step towards me reaching my dream of becoming a doctor.

Now, secretly, I have just passed the entrance exam and I have been accepted to a very prestigious university here in Boston.

I wish I could tell my brothers, but I know they will be disappointed. Besides—they have their hands full with setting up the new business here. Ruslana, my younger sister, is my best friend and biggest supporter.

She won’t break her promise. I know my secret is safe with her.

Hopefull,y one day, when I’m doing well and I have my own practice, I’ll save her from this mafia life as well.

I say goodbye to Ruslana and walk towards my car.

I was very specific about getting my own apartment when we arrived in America. I needed a space to study without worrying about them asking questions all the time. My brothers were worried about me staying on my own in a new city, but I love it.

We’ve only been here for a month and already I feel like I belong here.

The energy of this place makes me feel like the possibilities are endless.

Driving back to my apartment, I’m happily thinking about tonight. At the entrance exam I met a really cool girl, Jenna. We hit it off right away—and she also got accepted so we’ll be studying together. She invited me to come out dancing tonight to celebrate. It’s awesome to know I already have a friend and a study buddy. It’s not going to be easy. Late nights, hours of discipline—and all while keeping it a secret from my brothers. But it will be worth it.

As I push open my apartment door, I walk inside and realize that I left my music playing the entire time I was out this morning. My grouchy neighbor in the apartment below me is going to be complaining about that for sure.

I pick up the remote and flick it off.

I pick up the welcome packet that the university delivered this morning.

I’m going to go through all of requirements for text books and whatever else I need. I’m so excited. I’m so proud of myself too. I graduated college top of my class. I’m not one of those people that can just read something once and remember it either, I had to work hard for those results and I will keep working hard towards my dream.

All afternoon I sit with my feet curled up beneath me, making lists, checking where I can order the text books from—planning ahead.

By the time I stand up to stretch, I am shocked to see that the sun has already gone down and my apartment is quite dark. I was so focused on my laptop that I didn’t realize.

Shit.

I’m going to be late for the party tonight if I don’t move my ass.

I rush to the bathroom and flick the shower on. I don’t have enough time to wash my hair, but luckily it still looks good. I sweep it up into a high bun and climb under the hot spray of water, soaping myself down in a hurry.

Then, wrapped in a towel, dripping water everywhere, I rush through to my bedroom and grab my little black dress from the hanger. It’s the easiest choice without overthinking what to wear. I know it looks good on me and I don’t have time to fuss over outfits right now.

I toss my dress onto the bed and dry off, leaving the towel in a crumpled pile on the floor of my bedroom.

I slip the dress on, pair it with some super high black stilettos, and decide that somehow—by sheer luck—the messy bun I did for the shower actually looks really cute, so I leave my hair exactly as it is, with a few long loose curls hanging around my face.

I brush on some makeup, grab my phone and my credit card and rush out of the door to my car.

I should call an Uber, but I’m too late to wait for it and if I do end up drinking too much, I’ll just get one to drive me home.

I’m not much of a drinker though. I enjoy a glass or two of champagne, and on the rare occasion, I’ll have a pink gin, but mostly I hate the hangover and I don’t like to be out of control so, I avoid it.

When I get to the club, I remember the other reason it would have been better to Uber. Parking is a nightmare. The club is busy, with a long line of people waiting outside and it takes me ages to find a parking space.

Now, I have to walk a mile in these shoes.

By the time I reach the club entrance from where I parked, my feet are aching. I should have just worn my Nike’s. The uneven ground is not made for high heels, but at least inside the club, it’ll be fine.

Sneakers could have looked pretty cute with this dress. I giggle to myself, looking at all the girls dressed to the nines standing in the line outside. I bet you every single one of them wishes they could have worn sneakers. Perhaps we should all start a revolution.

“Raisa.” I turn to see who is calling my name. I mean it can only be one person, seeing as I don’t know anyone in the city yet. Her bright red hair makes her easy to spot.

“Jenna,” I say happily, as she grabs my arm and drags me into the line to stand next to her. “You made it just in time. If you were five minutes later, we would already be inside and you’d have to stand in line all by yourself. This is Blake and this is Mathew. They are also going to be studying with us.”

Blake is beautiful. Her jaw length, blonde hair is dead straight and frames her sharp pixie-like features perfectly. Matthew’s crew cut and thick glasses tell me he’s a no-nonsense type of person. Someone I would probably enjoy studying with. They are both smiling—welcoming and friendly. I like them instantly.

“Hi. Hello. Nice to meet you.” I smile broadly at everyone. I guess these people are going to be my group. The thought makes me smile even wider. Could use a basic description of Blake and Mathew to help form a better picture.

It’s like the start of some big adventure. A big adventure leading to an even bigger adventure afterwards. The bouncer looks us over and lifts the rope to usher us into the club.

As soon as we walk inside, the music is like a wall that hits me. The bass vibrating through my chest, red and purple lights flashing above me.

“Drinks!” Jenna shouts, dragging me towards the bar, following the rest of the group.

She hands me a tequila. Shit. I don’t handle tequila very well.

“Don’t give me that look.” Jenna laughs. “We are celebrating and it’s probably the last party you are going to have for the next like two or three years because your entire life is about to be overtaken by textbooks.”

I laugh, it’s true. “Fine,” I lift the shot, shout cheers with everyone else and down it. Instantly pulling a really sour expression as the harsh burn hits my throat.

I suck in a sharp breath and Jenna laughs at me. “Don’t worry, I feel the same. Let’s go dance it off!”

“Wait for us!” Blake shouts. She grabs Matthew’s hand, and they follow behind.

“Are they dating?” I lean close to Jenna to ask.

“Ugh. It’s so complicated. They’ve been on and off for the entire year and I am honestly over all their drama. I’m so happy I met you because I was really starting to feel like their third wheel.”

I laugh, the joys of college romance.

“Have you got a boyfriend?” She shouts over the music.

“No, I’m too focused on studying. I don’t want to distract myself with that kind of stuff.”

“Me too. So, we can be single together and take over the world.” She laughs loudly.

The dance floor is packed. Bodies are pushed together like sardines in a can.

It’s still incredible, though. The energy is brilliant, everyone seems to be in the same vibe, and the night is going perfectly.

We stop every now and then to grab another shot of tequila. I figured since I started on tequila—I may as well stick with it.

My head is starting to feel light and warm as I left my arms into the air, letting my fingers play through the smoke the DJ has released from the smoke machine. All of the beautiful lights are hitting it and creating amazing patterns.

I feel free.

I feel like coming to America is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I can’t wait to find out how this next year is going to open doors for me.

Jenna and I are having the best night ever. She is definitely going to be my closet friend. I can already tell.

Matthew and Blake signal that it’s time for another round, so we all start pushing our way through the dancers to get back to the bar.

I lean against it, grinning and feeling alive.

Then I have this strange tingling feeling over the back of my neck—as though someone is watching me. It’s oddly familiar and I realize it’s the same feeling I had earlier when I was having lunch with Ruslana.

I turn around to look behind me, searching—and my heart comes to a complete stop.

My eyes narrow as I stare back at the tall stranger.

His dark eyes are locked onto me and I can feel the heat of his gaze from across the bar.

The corner of his mouth curls upward into a grin.

Holy fuck, he is hot.

His broad shoulders are pushing tight against his shirt and with the top few buttons undone I can see the hint of a small tattoo on his left collarbone.

His hair is thick and hanging in front of his eyes, a little wild, perhaps from dancing. The five o clock shadow across his square jaw makes him even sexier.

And he’s tall. Tall enough that I would have to crane my neck back to look at him if he were standing next to me.

I try to fight the girlish smile that spreads across my lips, but the tequila is winning—and now I am flirting with this tall dark stranger.

“Oh wow. He’s sexy.” Jenna leans close to my ear to comment.

Her words interrupt the trance he seems to have put me in and I manage to pull my eyes off him.

“Sure. He’s hot. Where’s that tequila?”

It doesn’t matter if he’s hot.

I don’t have time for that.

But as they slide the tequila in front of me, I find myself looking up and across the bar to see if he’s still there.

He isn’t.

My heart sinks in disappointment—but really—it’s better.

He’s way too good-looking for his own good. I know men like that. They are trouble.

I mean—I’ve never actually dated a guy before. I’ve kissed someone before, but nothing more.

I saw the issues my friends went through and I decided that I didn’t want anything to do with any of that and I just stuck my head down and focused on my studies.

I throw back the tequila, promising myself that it is my last one for the night because I’m way too giggly and even though we are going to be here for a few more hours still—I want to dance off the tipsiness.

Suddenly, Jenna giggles next to me and steps away. “She’s all yours,” she says and I frown trying to figure out what she means.

I turn to look at her and instead of seeing her, I see him.

He's taller and even sexier than he looked from across the bar.

My pulse quickens and I swallow hard as I stare up at him.

“Hello. I wanted to ask if you and your friends would like to join me in VIP?” His voice is deep, like thunder rolling through a dark sky.

“Uh—“I glance around, looking for support from one of my friends, hoping they’ll say no.

“We’d love to,” Jenna says loudly.

Shit.

The smile that spreads across his face causes electricity to shoot down my spine. He is trouble, but maybe, just for tonight, I want a little trouble.

We follow him up to the VIP area where Blake and Matthew immediately get comfortable on the wide sofa. Jenna starts dancing at the edge of the balcony overlooking the packed dance floor below. “Wow. It’s so much better up here, Raisa,” she laughs.

The stranger takes my hand and pulls me close to him.

“Raisa?” He asks. My name on his lips making me melt. Never mind the fact that I am suddenly in his arms, leaning against his really muscular chest.

“Yes.” I say breathlessly.

“I’m Oleg.” He holds me close as he starts dancing with me and I am really surprised by how good his moves are.

I can’t think about anything else except for the way he is moving against me.