The Unruly Luna

Chapter 8

Friday, the last day of the workweek.

Polina sat by the window, staring outside. The morning was unusually beautiful. Sitting at home for an entire week felt strange. She had managed to organize the apartment perfectly — something she had never done before. All the planned tasks for the month were completed, and she had already finished two books.

"Damn. My nerves are completely shot. Things are disappearing again. I clearly remember throwing the turquoise workout set into the wash after jogging and yoga. But when I took the laundry out, it wasn’t there. Maybe I should take something to calm down? That damn stalker has gotten on my last nerve," she thought, sipping her coffee and scrolling through job listings.

At lunchtime, her friend Irisha called. She complained that her boyfriend had dumped her and that she had unexpectedly been fired — despite the fact that promotion paperwork had already been in progress. Irisha suggested going to a nightclub. They needed to pull themselves together and relax. Polya agreed without hesitation.

Polina didn’t spend long choosing her outfit. A red dress with a deep cut halfway down her back but closed in front. Sleeveless, with a small chiffon tail. Hair up, favorite garnet earrings with a matching ring, and trusted black heels. Irisha arrived by taxi.

They entered the Red Mask club without waiting in line. Neon stamps were pressed onto the backs of their wrists. A booth had been reserved in advance, and their deposit covered plenty of alcohol. After a generous amount of tequila, they headed to the dance floor.

On the second floor, in the VIP lounge, Ruslan and Alec were watching them. A large screen showed the entire dance floor, especially the figures in white and red.

"I’ll take the one in white, you take the one in red," — Alec said with a smirk. — "We’ve been watching them for an hour already. I remember a fairy tale — Snow White and Rose Red. One of the princes was a bear.""Mine looks more like Little Red Riding Hood," — Ruslan growled. — "I want to take her. No one else even looks at her.""You realize that if someone approaches her now, they’ll be carried out in a bucket of ice," — he added coldly."Calm down, jealous one," — Alec handed him a drink. — "Look, yours is leaving the dance floor. I’m going to Snow White. Wait until I call you, then go straight to their booth. Your stubborn one won’t dare argue or run. Take a breath and turn off murder mode.""Fine. As long as she’s alone in the booth, I’ll hold it together," — Ruslan agreed. — "Why will she stay quiet?""Because she’ll worry about her friend," — Alec explained. — "I’m sure Luna thinks I’m just as crazy as you.""You’ll pay for being a crazy rich kid during the hunt," — Ruslan warned. — "Go."

Polya ordered a glass of water. Going to the club really had been a good idea — she hadn’t thought about her problems for over an hour.

Irisha burst into the booth, eyes shining feverishly. She excitedly announced she’d met a great guy. He and his friend had a VIP booth. They wanted to invite both girls over and cover all expenses. Polya only shrugged inwardly — nothing new. Irisha loved short-lived adventures, especially now that she’d been dumped.

Irisha entered first, arm in arm with a man. His face seemed vaguely familiar.

"My name is Alexander, but everyone calls me Alec," — he said.

Something unpleasant clicked in Polina’s mind. She’d heard that name before. She brushed the thought aside — she’d heard hundreds of names while working for Amir.

Then the second man entered.

Polina looked up and cursed internally.

Ruslan.

"This is my close friend Polina," — Irina introduced her casually."Nice to meet you. Ruslan," — he said.

Polina shot him a look filled with pure hatred. Drop dead, scumbag.

"Let’s dance, Polina," — Ruslan said, extending his hand. — "Alec ordered a slow one."

Making a scene would drag Irina into this nightmare. Leaving would mean abandoning her friend.

"Fine," — Polina hissed, taking his hand.

He pulled her onto the dance floor, holding her too close. She tried to pull away — useless.

Ruslan was barely holding himself together.

"The first week is almost over, little one," — he whispered into her ear. — "Changed your mind yet?""I heard you threw away all the gifts. I chose them myself.""Don’t waste your money," — Polina snapped quietly. — "I’ll throw everything away. I need nothing from you. I need you gone.""Stalker," — he smirked. — "Nice word. I’ll keep stalking you until you come to your senses.""By the end of the second week, everyone will be fired. Savings gone. In the third week — people disappear.""Maybe I’ll start with the women," — he added deliberately. — "My guys might enjoy it.""…", — Polina was shaking with rage."Come to me before there are deaths," — he murmured. — "Kidnapping first. A week in a basement. Then packages with red ribbons.""No," — she answered just as firmly."You’re a little troublemaker," — Ruslan drawled. — "You’d kill for your family. And the more you resist, the worse it’ll be.""If you hurt them, I’ll come to kill you," — Polina whispered. — "I hate you, Seversky.""Hatred is better than indifference," — he smiled. — "Come to me first. I’ll even give you one chance to kill me.""You’re insane.""No.""So or later I’ll hear yes.""I won’t surrender."

Ruslan leaned closer.

"You won’t kneel for yourself. Too proud. But you will for her," — he nodded toward Irina.

Polina followed his gaze. Alec was already stroking Irina’s thigh.

"She decides for herself," — Polina replied calmly."And who said only Alec will touch her?" — Ruslan said softly."Do you want proof?" — he called out. — "Alec, maybe some fresh air?"

"Stop!" — Polina cried.

Irina hesitated, then followed Alec outside.

"You’re coming with me," — Ruslan whispered. — "Or I text my brother.""Or else?""Or your friend has an unforgettable night."

Polina closed her eyes.

"Let’s go to your place," — she said flatly.

They left the club together.

At the entrance stood security — massive, silent men. Fear washed over Polina. Ruslan tightened his grip; she flinched.

"Alec, we’re leaving. Enjoy your evening," — Ruslan said."Polina, are you going with him?" — Irina asked, shocked."Yes. We know each other," — Polina replied evenly. — "We met at Amir’s party.""Alec, take care of her," — Ruslan said."Of course," — Alec smiled. — "It was nice meeting you, Polina.""You too," — she replied automatically."Don’t hurt her," — Irina pleaded."Do I look like a maniac?" — Ruslan smiled. — "Just whiskey and conversation."

He led Polina to a blue Bentley. SUVs flanked them like armored vehicles.

They drove in silence.

Inside the car, he didn’t touch her.And didn’t speak.