7. Anastasia
Chapter 7
Anastasia
My nerves are shot as I move through the crowd. The grand ballroom is alive with vibrant colors, the walls adorned with intricate floral designs that seem to reach toward the lofty ceiling. With each minute that passes, the scent of flowers mingling with the subtle hints of perfume fills my nose until it’s nauseating.
Nikolai: In thirty minutes, head toward the Vault.
I let out a slow breath, careful not to show anxiousness on my face. This all seemed like a great idea when I’d been planning it, but now, I am eternally freaking out that I’m about to screw all of this up.
Anastasia Volkov. Thief.
I’m woefully underqualified for this task.
“Miss, would you like a glass of champagne?” The server can’t be older than seventeen, and by the way he’s looking around, starry-eyed, this is likely his first time working this type of event.
Good. If he’s not committed to his job, maybe I can use him.
“Yes, please.” I give him a soft smile, pushing all the comfort I’m able to muster into it.
The tray tilts when he shifts, but he recovers quickly. “Will that be all?”
I assess him. He’s shorter than I am in my four-inch heels. Maybe five foot seven? It’s a good thing I don’t need him to be big for what I have in mind.
I lean in and say under my breath, “Tell me. Do you enjoy working here?”
He stiffens, eyes shooting wide. His mouth’s opening and closing, but he can’t quite get the words out. “Of cour…course.”
I place a hand on his arm and give it a tiny squeeze. “Don’t worry, it’s not a trick.”
“Of course.” His voice comes out clearly this time. He’s definitely gone through some form of training in order to work at one of these events.
I sigh. “That’s too bad. I have a small favor to ask, but unfortunately, you’ll likely lose this job.”
“What’s in it for me?” he asks, interested.
I lift my tiny clutch, clicking it open to show him the pile of bills inside. It’s definitely more than he makes in a month working here.
His brows shoot up, and his eyes go round.
I shuffle closer, whispering, “In a half hour, I’m going to need a distraction. Can you do that for me?”
He’s nodding before I get the words out. “Yeah, I can do that… I mean, yes, I’d love to.”
“Perfect. Meet me by that doorway, and I’ll give you the signal so I can slip away.” He returns my conspiratorial smile.
Okay, with that handled, I spend the next half hour making my rounds, speaking to all the people I’m expected to. My nerves grow with every second that passes. I’ve lost my fracking mind with this plan, but I can’t back out now.
“I haven’t seen your brother,” a smooth, familiar voice drawls, and I turn to face the youngest Everette.
I press my lips together. “Bash.”
“Stasia.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Do you prefer Princess?”
My palms sweat as he watches me too closely. His lips are full, and I can’t stop tracking the movement of his tongue as it runs along the seam, wetting them. Bash clears his throat, giving me a wolfish smirk, which tells me he knows exactly what I was thinking.
“What did you ask again?” My voice comes out strained.
He tilts his head to the side. “I asked where is your brother?”
Dammit. Why didn’t I think about this? If I’m going to pretend to be him in the Vault, he has to be present at the ball. My heart rate picks up as I search, desperately trying to come up with an answer.
In a last-ditch effort, I lie. “He’s over there.”
Bash raises a brow, then whips around to the direction I’m pointing, doubt in his tone when he says, “Is he?”
Why does he have to be so damn perceptive? Why can’t he live up to his clueless man whore reputation?
“Oh, well, maybe he’s moved. He’s around somewhere.”
He mouths the word somewhere . “This is the second time I’ve caught you all alone at one of these events. Didn’t you learn your lesson on what goes on behind closed doors in places like this? Or would you like me to show you again?”
“You know, just because you think them doesn’t mean you have to share your inappropriate thoughts.”
He leans in, his breath grazing the shell of my ear, sending shivers through me. “Inappropriate? You are my inappropriate thoughts, Princess.”
Warmth floods my core, and images of him on his knees before me take up my every thought. I need to get away from him before I do something completely stupid like become just another one of his conquests.
“What are you playing at?” I ask.
“Not sure yet, but you sure are fun to play with.”
The server from before gives me a little wave. I groan internally as I’ve wasted way too much time with Bash.
I’m supposed to be stealthy. The last thing I need is to grab the attention of one of the Lords.
“I…I have to find my brother,” I rush out, and his smile grows.
“Your brother.”
Why am I like this with him? “Yes.”
“Your brother, who is definitely here.”
“Yes.”
“Uh-huh.” Bash steps out of my way. “I’m not sure what you’re planning, but I’d like to find out.”
Shit. Why does it have to be him? “I’m not doing anything.”
“Whatever you say, Princess.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Alright, Stasia.”
“It’s Anastasia.”
“I know. Miss Anastasia Katrina Volkov. I’m aware of who you are.”
Yeah…that’s the problem. You are too aware. I straighten my shoulders. “Alright then. Please address me as Miss Anastasia.”
His smirk turns devious. “Is that an order?”
I catch the server’s gaze. He’s looking at me frantically. He can’t stay there much longer without someone noticing. The waitstaff’s trained to move throughout the room.
“If that’s how you want to take it. I have to go.”
Bash steps aside and bows. Freaking bows!
“I look forward to seeing you later. Stasia.”
Not if I can help it. I give him a tight-lipped smile and shuffle around him, making my way over to the poor teenager.
I wait until Bash is out of eyesight before handing the server the money and slipping behind him. Within moments, his full tray tips, soaking a woman’s dress. Her shrieks follow me out of the room.
The plan worked so perfectly I’ll have to find a way to slip him a tip.