She Is Alexi's Property

When Vladi left the private room he chuckled, cute girl...I know I have seen her somewhere before. 

 Nikolai was walking towards him, "What are you laughing about?" 

 "Nothing...I saw this cute little girl that looked familiar but I couldn't place where I saw her before."

 "Well..that isn't a surprise, the way you go through women, how can you keep track?"

 Vladi had a sly grin on his delicately beautiful face and patted Nikolai on the shoulder, "My friend, if I fucked the little beauty I would definitely remember. She has an innocent and pure face I would never forget if I had the pleasure of pressing her luscious body under me."

 They entered Vladi's private room and he poured a glass of vodka, "Why are you in a sour mood?"

 "I'm not."

 "I know you too well. Your voice on the phone sounded lonely. Are you missing your family?"

 "No. I was thinking about the old days."

Vladi had hardened his heart and only sought pleasure trying to obliterate the painful memories of the past. "Best to forget. Nothing can bring our comrades back."

He handed him a crystal glass filled with expensive vodka. "We need to drink...eat good food and fuck all the beautiful women they couldn't in their short lives."

 Nikolai clinked the glass with Vladi then gulped it down. He wiped his mouth with his hand. "Your new restaurant is very lively."

 "I'm quite happy. I have all the private rooms monitored and been able to sell the information I gather. You know those idiots once they start drinking and eating they loosen their lips. If they request women I have trained a few spies among the hostesses that are quite capable. This venture has been extremely profitable."

 Nikolai picked up the bottle of vodka and poured another glass. "Is that how you pay Alexi back for letting you go? You were the best assassin he had other than me. I wondered why he allowed you to leave."

 Why now?" Vladi tapped his slender white finger on the table thinking about the girl he saw in the next room 

 "Forget it. What is good to eat?'

 Suddenly Vladi slammed his hand on the table and Nikolai gave him a piercing look, "What the fuck!"

 "I know where I saw the little beauty before! She is the little piano player at Ivan's Club!"

 Nikolai took out his phone and stared at the screen. He didn't want to think about the little girl tonight so he never checked her location. How can Miss Winslow be in one of these private rooms? What bastard is she with..none of these men who come here are good!

 He had an unfathomable expression as he put the phone away. His apprehension didn't show on his face. He remained expressionless and his voice was calm. "What is good?" 

 "Everything. I poached the chef from Royale."

 "Let's order, I'm hungry." He didn't want to sound anxious but his heart was in a knot worrying another bastard might be targeting the innocent little rabbit. 

 Vladi was licking his lips, "I haven't seen such a fresh peach ready to be plucked in a long time."

 The darkness in Nikolai's's eyes deepened and he warned, "If you want to live, don't even think about that girl. The little piano player is Alexi's property."

 "WHAT?"

 "You heard me. If the girl is the piano player at Ivan's club, Alexi already fucked her. You know his personality, even if he doesn't want the girl, no one else can touch her."

 "Damn…have you seen the little cutie? I can't imagine an insensitive brute like Alexi screwing the little thing."

His dark eyes twinkled in amusement, "I'm surprised with her delicate body she didn't die under him."

 Irritated, thinking about Alexi's treatment of Merri, Nikolai grumbled, "Where is the waiter?"

 Vladi called down to the kitchen, "Bring the King's Feast to my private room and a bottle of the new red wine I ordered."

 Feeling suffocated, Nikolai loosened his tie, "I will be back. I am going to smoke."

 Vladi pushed an ashtray over, "You can smoke here."

 "I don't like eating in a smoke-filled room."

 "..."

 Nikolai left the private room and walked downstairs planning on stepping outside to smoke. He glanced around the spacious dining room and saw French doors leading to the garden. When he walked out he glanced around the area. Impressed by the plum blossoms that were blooming he headed in that direction. While living in China he enjoyed looking at the beautiful trees that would bloom in the dead of winter. 

 He lit a cigarette and walked down a winding bluestone path. Breathing in the frozen air he felt revived, sitting in the room next to where Merri was with unknown men he was bothered. As he exhaled a thin stream of smoke floated in the air.

 He leaned on a plum blossom tree and smoked the cigarette in no rush to return to the claustrophobic private room. I need to sort out my thoughts…it isn't like me to care about any woman Alexi messes with…most likely because the girl reminds me of Little Anya. Innocent..adorable… I feel protective of her and don't want her hurt.

 Nikolai was smoking his fourth cigarette when he heard the sound of two women laughing not far away. When he recognized Merri he considered avoiding her by stepping behind the trees but he stood motionlessly watching them. As Merri and the young woman she was with outside the hospital approached, he was mesmerized by how beautiful Merri looked under the twinkling lights strung through the trees.

 Merri happened to look at the plum blossom tree he was leaning on and her heart skipped a beat. She had the urge to walk towards him but hesitated, how can I say hello? Claire will ask questions.

When their eyes met she had a faint smile but looked nervous. He quickly understood her trepidation, how would she explain their acquaintance?

 He slightly nodded at her in acknowledgement and threw the half smoked cigarette down and crushed it under his foot. He walked out onto the bluestone path to return to the restaurant.

But, both he and Merri were caught off guard when Claire suddenly asked, "Handsome, do you have a cigarette?"

Merri looked at Claire in surprise because she doesn't smoke.

 Nikolai reached into his pocket and took out a pack of cigarettes. He handed Claire one then flicked his lighter to light it. Claire immediately waved her hand, "I am going to save it for later."

 ???

 Claire reached her hand out, "My name is Claire Harmon and this is my friend Merri Winslow and you are?"

 He lightly shook her hand and when Merri reached out her hand to be polite he hesitated then held her small hand in his large palm. Being reminded of last night and touching her incredibly tender skin he didn't immediately let go, then realized his gaffe. "It is cold out here, you two ladies should go back inside."

 Claire has a bold personality un;like her best friend and always did what she wanted. She thought he was handsome and his Russian accent was sexy so she wanted to linger. "The owner is Russian are you a friend of his?"

 "Yes."

 Merri's heart was racing and felt uncomfortable seeing Claire flirt with Nikolai. She held Claire's arm, "It is freezing we should go back."

 "I thought you wanted to see the bridge and pond." Claire protested as she eyed the extraordinarily handsome man standing next to them.

 Merri's face turned red, "Next time. I am really cold."

 Nkolai impulsively pointed down the blestone path. "The pavillion has a bar and is heated, you can see the bridge and pond from there. I will take you."

 Merri shyly fluttered her eyelashes gazing at him. Of course I would like to spend time with you… but it looks like Claire is interested in you too. Better to drag her away…with her attention span she will forget about you as soon as she sees Karl. I will go to your office tomorrow.

 "Okay" Claire excitedly clutched Merri's arm and pulled her along.

 Nikolai walked next to Claire but his eyes would occassionaly drift towards Merri.

 The Pavillion was in the back of the garden and when they entered Nikolai led them to a table by the large windows not far from a fire place. There were only a few scattered tables occupied because not too many people were aware of the bar located inside.

 There was a frozen pond wih several snow covered plum blossom trees in the background. A couple strolled across the wooden bridge arched over the pond. The scene was quite picturesque, Merri's eyes were sparkling and she couldn't help but exclaim, "So beautiful." 

 Nikolai was looking at Merri with an infauated gaze, "Very beautiful."

 Claire was busy trying to get a cocktail waitress' attention and didn't notice the fleeting look of longing in Nikolai's dark eyes.

 Merri suddenly realized they left Karl and Ren in the room. "Claire, should you call your brother and tell him we are having a drink in the Pavillion."

 "Oh." Claire laughed , "Yeah, that is a good idea. Would you mind if my brother and his friend joined us?"

 " Actually, I only wanted to show you the way. I need to meet my friend." It would be best not to entangle myself with Miss Winslow. Now that I know it is this woman's brother and friend I can feel relieved. I have heard of Ren Harmon and he is an upright man.

 Claire pouted and coquettishly tugged on his coat sleeve. "Can you stay for one drink? My treat for showing us this amazing place."