I was hoping Adrian would back me up but instead found him looking at Vlad with admiration. Kris had told me that when they were kids, Adrian used to look up to Vlad as a kind of big brother figure, a role model. Clearly he still did.

What was happening? Over the past few days, Vlad was becoming Vladimir, and not just my best friend’s annoying older brother.

“Where to after this?” I asked coolly. Feeling Vlad’s gaze still on me, I chose to look at Adrian instead.

“Depends on you, Montgomery.”

“Where would you guys have gone back in the days of your rebellious youth? If you can remember back that far.”

Vlad raised his mug, locking his eyes with mine as he took his time to drink. When he finally put the cup down, he said, “Royal Bar.”

“Oh man. You almost got me excited for a moment there, but mingling with a bunch of snobby assholes is the last thing I want to do tonight.”

Adrian leaned close to me. “Don’t worry, Montgomery. I’ll keep those assholes away from you.” He gave me a cheeky wink as he leaned back in his seat. “We’ve got a tiny little problem if I’m going to play your loyal bodyguard.”

“What?”

“You’re not going to Royal Bar looking like that, right?”

Back in my room at the Hyped, I looked in the full-length mirror. I hated to admit it, but Adrian was right. My face was still puffy from all the crying I had done last night, and I could see faint bruises blooming on my neck. I could still feel the pressure of the woman’s hands around my neck and closed my eyes, trying to pull my thoughts away from reliving it. A shower would help.

Adrian had gone back to his family’s suite to see his sister, while Vlad said he’d wait here. It was obvious that he was reluctant to leave me alone. Another thing I hated to admit: I was grateful he had stayed without me having to ask. I knew that the bizarre woman was in Court Guard custody, but I felt safer and was able to relax knowing Vlad was in the next room.

Showered and dressed, with the tiniest bit of makeup on, I came out of my room to find the suite empty. Sitting on the couch where I’d left my phone, I was in the middle of texting Kris when Vlad came into the room buttoning up his shirt. A small towel hung around his neck, and his dark hair was slicked down and wet.

“You’re still here,” I said breathily.

“Of course,” Vlad said. “I wouldn’t leave you alone. I hope you don’t mind that I used the other bathroom—I needed a shower.”