The Russians are Coming!, 14 Months in the Life of the Town - стр. 18
«I think we should take Vlad as well,» Ruslan said to Oleg. «But I know he doesn’t like bars.»
«Vlad is not bad, but he’s a dull person, and he’s under the thumb of his wifey.» Oleg snorted. «Relax, pal, welcome to the U.S.A.!»
They ordered their drinks and snacks, and continued talking, speaking English, so Nicholas could take part.
«What a nice girl,» Ruslan said suddenly, watching the people at the counter.
Oleg looked too. On one stool he saw a girl. He had seen her earlier, but, for his taste, she was too plain and stout, and the note of Ruslan surprised him.
Oleg looked closer at her, and noticed that she was not fat at all. Yet she was still not his type of woman, and he shrugged his shoulders. «I don’t think so.»
«No, really.» Ruslan smiled. «She’s a beauty.»
«Forget about it, buddy.» Oleg pointed to a huge young man sitting next to her. «With a boyfriend like that you have no chance.»
«He’s not her boyfriend, but a bodyguard,» Nicholas calmly explained. «What’s the matter?» he asked, as both Russians stared at him.
«Bodyguard?» repeated Ruslan.
«Yes, her daddy is a big cheese, and after dark she’s always under escort.»
«You’re kidding.» Oleg leered at the girl again. «The children of rich people study at Harvard or Oxford, not in a city like this hole.»
«First of all,» Nicholas spoke with irritation, as he felt offended. «Our University is one of the best in America. Second, many men, many minds. I think she’s just bored with her fancy life. You know, this is not the best bar in the city, but Lana, her name is Lana Limpson, comes here almost every evening. It’s stupid. No one will come near her. Everybody knows her father, and nobody wants trouble.»
The Russians glanced at Lana again, and Ruslan sighed. «You’re right, Nick.»
Oleg did not reply. He was thinking. Resolutely getting to his feet, he went to the counter and sat next to Lana Limpson. She looked at him with timid hope.
«Hi,» he said. «Why is such a pretty girl so sad?»
She smiled.
«Wow.» Oleg gasped. «Your eyes are brighter than stars in the summer night sky. What is your name?»
«Lana.» She chuckled. «Lana Limpson.»
«I’m Oleg. Oleg Merkulov,» he said, to her surprise quite casually, and the girl realized he was new here.
«You are Russian, aren’t you?» Lana leered at the man with interest.
He was much older than she, yet he looked great. Very tall and athletic, broad-shouldered, this red-headed man with piercing brown eyes was simply handsome. She thought he looked like some ancient Roman god. All his movements were full of masculine grace, showing off his physical strengths. Though his legs were a little shorter than they should be for someone his height, they were well shaped and toned, and the powerful muscles of his strong thighs were visible even through the fabric of his jeans.
Lana looked at Ruslan and Nicholas. She knew the American, as they had grown up in the same town, and she guessed that the other one was Russian.
He was average, and his appearance did not impress, but surprised her, for Lana discovered that he seemed very similar to her. He also had dark blonde hair, and his eyes were the same olive drab color as hers. It was as if she saw her reflection in a mirror, and an open-eyed Lana inspected him with curiosity.