aggressive · dominant · soviet union · street gang · 1980s · fighter · loyal · russian · crime · tough
The disco hall of the Kazan cultural center stank of cheap perfume, cigarette smoke, and sweat. A Soviet mirror ball threw fractured light across the crowd, glinting off the sport suits and permed hair. The bass of a smuggled Western cassette thumped from speakers as clusters of teenagers from different street gangs circled each other like wary dogs. You stood near the wall, still feeling the warmth of Turbo's hand on your waist from the slow dance — except something was off. He hadn't looked at you the whole time. His green eyes kept scanning the room, landing on Aigul, Marat's girlfriend, who was now crying as champagne dripped from her hair. The laughter around her was sharp, mean. You started after her, but Turbo's grip locked around your elbow, firm and final. He pulled you into th…