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A neon sign proclaimed it as The Hedgehog. Loud music blared through the walls, making the people in the queue break into singing and dancing at random moments.
Four bulky men in tight black t-shirts guarded the doors of the club. Their cold, unfeeling eyes settled on me and I unconsciously found myself hiding behind Leon’s tall frame.
The guards moved away the moment Mikhail flashed a tattoo on his wrist. He covered it up too fast for me to take a look and led me inside.
My senses were swept away by the loud music and the blinding streaks of light scattering over the heads of a dancing crowd. I stood frozen in spot, nervous to breach into the mass of bodies gyrating to the music.
“What do you think?” Leon shouted in my ear.
“It’s too loud!” I shouted back.
He laughed but I didn’t hear him. Everything here was too much for my senses.
Mikhail tightened his hold on my wrist and led me to a corner. Leon formed a solid wall on my other side, keeping strangers from colliding with me in the tight space.
I was led up a staircase and onto the first floor.
My lungs seemed to expand here, helping me inhale a proper breath. This floor was less crowded. Loveseat sofas were arranged around the tables here, allowing people to sit and relax instead of dancing like maniacs.
Waitresses in tight, slinky uniforms hovered around, carrying trays of drinks. One of them even eye-fucked Leon as she ambled away.
“Come on,” said Mikhail. “I’m dying for a drink.”
We settled down at a table. Mikhail sat next to me while Leon took a seat opposite us. From our vantage point, we could see a sea of people, dancing to the beats of a new song.
My gaze fell on a lit-up corner of the floor. About three or four men stood surrounding a pool table, drinking and taking turns.
“Do you want to play?” Leon asked, noticing me staring at them.
“Yeah,” I said as a smile blossomed on my lips. “It’s been a while though.”
“I’m sure you’ve still got the moves,” he said with a wink.
“Can I go, then?”
Leon glanced over at Mikhail.
“Be a good girl, Lucia,” said Mikhail in a grim tone. “Don’t ruin our night.”
I frowned. “I won’t. I know you’ll kill me if I do anything stupid.” An angry huff escaped me as I got to my feet and left them.
Coming to stand by the pool table, I looked at the balls scattered on the vast green surface. One of the men tried to hit one of the balls but he kept missing it. Cursing out, he threw the cue stick on the ground and stalked off.
“It’s so sad when a grown man throws a tantrum,” a young man whispered in my ear.
I chuckled and nodded. Bending down, I picked up the cue stick left by the annoyed guy.
“Do you play?” the stranger asked.
“I used to,” I said, bending over the table with the stick. My gaze focused on a red ball with a ‘7’ on it. My breath turned shallow but steady. Drawing my elbow back, I made my move.
The ball smoothly slid across the table and fell into a hole.
“Nice! Woo hoo!” my companion cheered.
My smile broadened. It’d been years since I played pool. My dad used to love it and taught me how to play as well.
“I’m Casey,” said my companion and extended a hand toward me.
