Walk of Shame

** Continued from Russian Rebound **

I proudly skipped through the walk of shame, quietly humming toward my hotel room. As I entered the elevator joining an elderly couple, the old woman eyed me with a disgusted look. Her husband grinned. That’s right, the old man understood me.

“Good morning,” I mumbled and gave them a small smile. As the elevator approached my floor, I turned to the old woman and smiled even bigger. For shock value, I said,

“Strangers are the best one-night stands, especially Russians. Have a nice day.”

I heard the old woman gasp and her husband chuckled. I continued to my room. Lost in thoughts of my night with Niklaus, I never noticed a second elevator ding or the person following me.

I managed to get a couple hours of sleep before I made my final destination. Shoving my bags onto the passenger seat of my truck, I tried to balance a cup of coffee in my hand.

It was extremely important for the safety of others that I did not spill my coffee. Except, I really did not think this through. It probably would’ve worked better had I actually went through the passenger side.

My dumbass thought it would be a good idea to shove three bags from the driver’s seat onto the passenger seat of an SUV. I had to stand on the running boards just to get in it. A male voice with a thick Russian accent spoke from behind me causing me to jump.

“Need any help?”

“Son of a whore!” I gritted through my teeth as I banged my head against the top of the door. Deep chuckling had me turning to see who decided it would be funny to watch me smack my head. I had to strain my neck to see his face.

The man towered over me wearing a black leather jacket, black sweater, and black slacks. With his blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, his wide jaw seemed wider. Mirrored sunglasses hid the color of his eyes. All I saw was the reflection of my wild, wavy hair and my own designer sunglasses. He was huge, built like an overly muscled body builder. This is one man I definitely would not fuck with.

However, it was way too early for this shit.

I held my coffee mug close to me as if someone would try to jack it from my hands and that someone would definitely die. My brain refused to function this early in the morning. I looked at my watch. It was 9 am. I’m not human until after 12.

So… yeah, too early.

“The Pakhan sends safe travels.” I detected a hint of a smile. His mouth barely tilted upward. He tried to correct it before I saw it. Too late.

“I’m sorry the what?”

“The Pakhan. Mr. Mokhov.”

“Yeah, I have no idea who that is.”

The large, intimidating man stared down at me for a moment and whispered, “Niklaus.”

“Oh!” I shouted. I felt like dumbass. For God’s sake Nessa! Who else would it be? I’ll never forget who Niklaus is. His name and body will forever be embedded in my head. “That’s sweet. Why didn’t he come here himself?”

“He has business to attend to. I’m here to make sure you leave safely.” he leaned closer to me and whispered, “If the Pakhan was here, you wouldn’t be leaving.”

“Um… okay.” Wow. I eyed him wearily as I settled myself behind the wheel. My phone rang.

“Excuse me.” I told him and pulled my phone from my back pocket. Any patience I had before noon completely escaped me as I stared at Lydia’s name on my screen.

Speaking of whores.

“Ugh… fuck my life.” I mumbled as I slumped in my seat. I heard chuckling and turned to look at the mountain sized man standing next to my door. At the moment this man didn’t scare me even though I was nearly a foot shorter than him and way smaller. It didn’t matter what kind of mood I was in, this skank could bring out the total bitch in me. I leaned over toward him and said,

“Keep laughing big man. I can take you.” he laughed louder.

“Do you need any help?” he asked after his laughing fit. He grabbed the bag I had dropped when he snuck up on me and held it out to me. I grabbed it from him with more attitude than I wanted. He didn’t seem bothered by it since he was too amused with me.

“No thanks.” My phone rang again with Lydia’s name on the screen. “Oh for fucks sake!”

“Give me your phone.”

“What?”

“Give it here.” I handed my phone to a complete stranger and listened to the strange yet amusing conversation. He swiped the screen and held it to his ear.

“Da?” He stayed quiet for a second before he laid into her, speaking rapidly in Russian.

I smiled, knowing he said something to scare her. Hell, it kind of scared me with that menacing voice.

“You shouldn’t have any more problems.” He hung up on her and handed my phone back. Should I tell him who she is? Maybe add some names and numbers to his list?

“Oh my God! That was amazing! What did you tell her?”

“It’s best you don’t know.”

“You are my new best friend! Thanks… um… what’s your name?”

“Oleg.”

“Thank you Oleg.”

“I watch over my Pakhan. I watch over you.”

“Okay… I don’t quite get that, but whatever. That was fun. I need to get going. Bye Oleg.” What the Hell did he call Niklaus? I plan on spending time with Google later. But, as confusing and suspicious as this was, I instantly liked Oleg.

“Drive safely Ms. Lyndon.”

“Always.” I shut the door and started the truck. As I pulled out of the parking lot, I peaked in my rearview mirror. Niklaus was standing next to Oleg, watching me leave. Something told me this would not be the last time I see the two men. Something also told me that they were dangerous.

Hmm… I wonder if they could ‘take care’ of that witch that won’t leave me alone. Maybe contact ‘Skanks or Us’ and tell them that their leader is missing.

It wasn’t until I was several miles away from the hotel I realized I never told Niklaus or Oleg my last name.