Changing my name would be a great idea, too… but I had no idea how to do that, so blending in, or just hiding out, was the best chance I had of staying under the radar while I figured out how to approach the Russian mafia in Las Vegas.
My plan, or what little of one there was, went as far as finding the Russians and asking for help. Hell, I’d beg for their help if it came down to it. Surely, after hearing what I had to say, they’d be as eager as I to take down my father and Dane.
As I strode across the nearly empty parking lot to the diner, the warm Las Vegas sun bore down on me, the heat from its rays giving me a burst of energy. I’d always wanted to visit Las Vegas and see the sights. The iconic Vegas Strip was the place to be… but it would also be the first place my family would look for me. They wouldn’t expect me to live in a low-class part of town, so for now, my plan was exactly that; a cheap place to stay off the beaten path and away from prying eyes. Maybe I’d have time to sneak a peek at the casinos and at some point... if I was here long enough.
A bell jingled and a wave of cool air swept over me, cooling my heated skin when I pulled open the front door of the diner. A hefty waitress who looked to be in her forties hustled across the room in my direction, bright red lipstick coloring her overly pouty lips. “Welcome. One?”
I nodded and offered her a smile.
“Right this way honey.”
I settled into my booth, accepting the proffered menu.
“I’ll just give you a few minutes to decide what you’d like.”
“Thank you.”
The menu was small, the offerings very basic compared to the fancy restaurants I was used to dining at. I’m sure that sounds like I’m some kind of uppity girl, but I’m really not.
Okay well, maybe I am. My parents had always given me the best. I’ve never wanted for a single thing. This experience was in and of itself an adventure in humility. For once, I could experience things without being under the watchful eye of my family, and what I had learned to be my father’s many soldiers. Today was the beginning of a new life. It was the beginning of MY new life.
As I browsed the menu, I whispered to myself. “I, Liliya Markow, will be brave. I will only trust when trust is earned.” It was a mantra I had been repeating to myself ever since I fled my former home. A small smile worked over my lips as the waitress returned to my table.
“Are you ready to order, honey?”
“Yes. I’ll have a cup of coffee and the soup of the day.”
“Sure thing. If you need anything, just let me know. My name’s Gladys.” She smiled warmly, pointed a long red nail at her name badge, and turned on her heel, the menu tucked under her arm as she strode to the counter.
Fifteen minutes later, I’d devoured my steaming bowl of vegetable soup and finished off a second cup of coffee. With my stomach full, I relaxed in my booth, letting my eyes wander over the few patrons in the diner. Everyone seemed relaxed and minding their own business.
A gentleman in the corner booth on the other side of the diner sat reading the paper. He was handsome and I couldn’t tear my gaze away from him. He must have sensed me staring because he raised his head, his eyes locking on mine. He smiled and my heart beat faster under his heated gaze. I quickly averted my eyes to the window, heat rushing across my breasts and up my neck, settling like a blazing inferno on my cheeks. I fought the urge to look back at the man, instead keeping my eyes locked on the parking lot. Now was not the time to get involved with anyone.
Just outside the front door, a mother and father wrangled their two children from a truck. The woman wrestled to straighten the children’s outfits, planting a kiss on each of their foreheads as she finished. It was nice to know that somewhere in the world, love amongst family still existed. Not in my family, though.
As the family entered the diner, I continued to watch the four of them. The obvious love they had for one another melted my heart. I wanted that kind of love. Not just with my family, but with the man I married. A girl could dream, right? Because no man in his right mind would want me if he knew what my family was capable of. Women like me were destined to be alone. All we had to offer was a life of darkness.
The man helped the woman into her seat before seating himself and I sighed. I’m sure the woman knew how lucky she was to have such a wonderful man at her side. She had to know. She was so lucky. A pang of sadness flared in my chest as my thoughts drifted to my mother and what she must be feeling right now. Was she worried for me? What was my father telling her about my disappearance? Was he feeding her lies? And how in the world had she managed to handle living with a man like him for so long? The questions kept coming, but no answers followed.