Riverside Mansion

Nikolai returned to his apartment overlooking the river and took off his coat. After tossing his keys onto a table he went into the kitchen and opened a beer. He was in a very bad mood because it appeared Alexi wasn't letting the girl go.

Leaning on the counter he drank the beer wondering if there was any way to protect Merri. Well, Alexi will be gone for at least a week. Maybe I can think of a way.

 He entered the bedroom and took off his his clothes planning on taking a shower then sleeping for a few hours. Nikolai was awake all night in Merri's hospital room and afterwards he arranged the plane and met Alexi in his office. 

 Massaging his temples he tried to relax as he walked into the bathroom then stepped into the large shower. After I shower I think I will call Vladi to see if he wants to get dinner later. I haven't seen him since I got back from my last job.

 As Nikolai washed his ink black hair he had a faint smile thinking about bathing Merri. He pictured the way she made faces as he washed her body even though she was unconscious. Such a cute girl…Alexi is too cruel. She should be held in a man's palm not abused and ravaged. Maybe I could talk some sense into him. No, he would think I am interested in the girl and punish both of us. 

 After he showered he dried off his taut muscular body and wrapped a dark blue towel around his waist. He was exhausted and fell onto the bed.

Rolling over he reached for his phone and called his friend, "Vladi, do you want to grab some dinner?"

 The notorious playboy, Vladimir Niralova, was in his downtown office. He was on the couch lazily enjoying his latest conquest, a beautiful young model. His shirt was unbuttoned and the half naked woman was caressing his chest as he kissed her pert breast.

When he heard the ringtone he reached past her and picked up the phone. He answered, after listening to Nikolai he replied "Can. I will meet you at my new restaurant at eight o'clock."

 "Text me the address."

 Vladi continued playing with the woman and she pouted, "Vladi, you said you would come watch my show. It is the first time I am modeling for Chanel."

 "I changed my mind."

 She wanted to get off his lap in a huff but he held onto her waist and bit her neck, "Babe,where do you think you are going?"

He put his hand up her short sequined dress, "You can't leave until this Daddy says you can go."

 Nikolai poured a glass of vodka then pressed a string of numbers on a panel behind some books on a bookshelf. He went into the room and stared at the assorted guns and knifes on the wall. He ran his fingers over them then and took his favorite dagger down.

In a pensive mood, he sat on a wooden chair at a old table scratched with the initials of Alexi's original crew. He ran the back of the razor sharp dagger blade over the worn table.

Only four are left, him, Dimitri, Vladi and Gustav. During the time they have been in Kingston City they lost the other guys one by one during Alexi's rise to the top.

This table was in the small restaurant his friend owned where they all used to hang out. When he moved into this high rise apartment he brought it with him as a reminder of their struggles.

Alexi and him owned the building, this apartment was luxurious and spacious but this hidden room was his favorite place to sit...it contained bittersweet memories and the tools of his trade.

 Weary and disenchanted, he laid his head on the table. I am tired of this fucking life of killing…endless blood…losing comrades. I would like to live quietly with a woman I love…raise a bunch of kids and live a normal life.

  After dwelling on the past for a short while he lifted his head and ran his fingers through his messy black hair. His eyes reflected the anguish he felt and were as dark as a moonless night. He stood up and put the dagger back in place and left the secret room.

 He thought about discussing with Vladi his options because two years ago Vladi was able to successfully leave the organization. He never said how he did it and Nikolai never asked.

Nikolai was pouring another glass of expensive vodka when he got the text from Vladi [ 2310 N. Orchid Way] 

 Claire and Emmi pull up to the restaurant and Emmi gasps, "Wow. I didn't think the restaurant would be this beautiful. "

 Claire steered the car to the valet parking sign. "I heard the owner is really mysterious."

 "Really?"

 "Yeah. He bought this old mansion and totally renovated it. The interior is very resplendent and I heard in the back is a spectacular garden. Of course since it is the dead of Winter the flowers are probably dead. I am looking forward to it..which reminds me how did Karl get a reservation?"

 "Hmmm…maybe Karl's family has connections."

 They stepped out of the car and a valet took the keys from Claire. 

 When they walked into the restaurant Merri's eyes were sparkling, "I have never seen a more elegant restaurant. The mahogany bar is gorgeous and the crystle chandeliers must have cost a fortune."

 A beautiful statuesque woman in a red dress approached them, "Do you ladies have a reservation?"

 Claire responded, "Should be under Karl Wu."

 The woman glided across the marble floor of the entryway to a hostess stand and looked at the reservation book. Afterwards she lifted her eyebrow staring at Claire and Merri. "Follow me."

 They walked through the dining room to a staircase leading to the second floor. The woman dug her fingernails into the palm of her hand irritated because they were meeting Karl and Ren. She had her eye on Karl and was hoping to seduce him tonight.

When they reached a room at the end of the hallway she opened the door.

 Karl immediately stood up and took Merri's coat off, he couldn't hide the infatuation in his eyes from the hostess and Claire. They both watched with a bit of envy as he tenderly brushed away Merri's long blonde hair caught in the collar of her coat.

 Claire quickly regained her senses, Karl treats Merri well because she was his savior in High School. There definitely isn't anything between them. The hostess on the other hand was consumed with jealousy. She saw Karl when he first arrived and immediately wanted to get closer to him. The people who have reservations for the private rooms on the second floor were not ordinary and he was extremely good looking. 

 The hostess reluctantly turned and left the room. She was stomping her heels down the hallway grimacing when she saw the owner and immediately changed her ugly expression. She smiled ingratiatingly at him, "Sir."

 He looked at the room she came from and his expression was frosty, "Is there a problem with the guests?"

 "No. No Not at all the two women meeting the gentlemen just arrived and I escorted them to the room."

 He was very intuitive and didn't like the vibe he got from her. He narrowed his eyes and his voice was cold, "For your sake I hope you are telling the truth."

 She broke out into a cold sweat and her voice was a little shaky "I am. Really....you can check for yourself."

He never raised his voice but his aura was very intimidating. "Get back downstairs."

 Vladi knocked and Karl thought it was the waiter, "Enter."

 Vladi walked over and shook Karl's hand, "Your brother said you just arrived in the city."

 "A few days ago."

 Vladi caught a glimpse of Merri out of the corner of his eye then turned in her direction. The little girl is quite a beauty and looks familiar. Hmmm.. He stared at her with a piercing gaze, "Do I know you?"

When she heard his heavy Russian accent, she wondered why she suddenly met so many Russians lately. She shook her head, "I don't think so."

Not pursuing the subject he looked back at Karl and smiled, "Since I recently completed a lucrative deal with you brother please enjoy yourself this evening on me."

 Instead of refusing as he would like because he and his brother are on bad terms right now, Karl politely accepted his generosity. "Thank you. I heard the lobster is delicious." 

 "You should try the abalone also, it is the chef's signature dish."

 Merri was salivating thinking about eating lobster and abalone and her greedy expression didn't escape either man.

Vladi lifted his lips in amusement, "Enjoy."

After he left Karl rubbed Merri's head then handed her a napkin. "Little Foodie, wipe the drool on the corner of your mouth."