Chapter 15 #2
Leo throws me a cool, curious gaze, as if trying to figure out what’s behind my enthusiasm. “Tell us about training today.”
“What? You don’t get a full progress report on me every day?”
“Of course we do,” he confirms, “but we’re asking for your thoughts.”
All right then. I choose to be honest. “I’m not interested in picking up a gun.
They scare me and I honestly don’t think I’ll ever be able to use one.
But I do like Krav Maga, though it’s a hell of a workout and I can barely sit down to pee because I’m so sore.
And Monsieur Coset is great.” I shrug. “But I’m not yet a super-spy, and I don’t know if I ever will be. ”
“Yes, we heard you’re not very fond of guns.” Leo sighs heavily. “But it's an essential part of your training. You need to use a pistol.”
My brows pull together. “Why?”
Daniil pauses mid-bite, then lowers his fork. “Anything can happen when you’re at the Antonov compound. You need to be prepared.”
“Right.” I swallow heavily and change the subject before they can push me further. “Any word on my father? I’d really like to speak with him soon.”
Leo sits back and folds his arms across his enormous chest. “Your father is safe under our protection. You should be relieved.”
“Yeah, relieved,” I mutter. “Relieved I’m being held captive by the Russian mafia or relieved they are forcing me to work for them? Please be clear which part is supposed to bring me comfort.”
For a moment the air is static between us with no one saying a word.
Way to go and run your mouth.
But after a moment, Daniil chuckles and Leo smiles his secretive smile, and I can’t help but join in. Even big bad mobsters have a sense of humor, I guess.
“Touché. Point made. Don’t think about all of that tonight.” Daniil waves his fork in the air. “We’re not here to talk business, we’re here to enjoy ourselves.”
“In that case.” I straighten in my seat. “Since I’m sure you’ve researched the heck out of me, how about you tell me more about your family?”
Leo’s lips twist in distaste. “What is it you’d like to know?”
“I get it. No secret mafia stuff. But I’m curious. Where did you all grow up?
“Here in the U.S.,” Daniil says, chewing thoughtfully. “Unlike most of the bratva families, my father built his empire in the States.”
“So this feud with the Antonovs, how did it start?”
The brothers exchange a look, before Daniil shrugs and says to Leo, “It’s only fair.
This feud, as you call it, goes back to Russia.
My father was a member of the Antonov Bratva when Oleg’s father, Alek, was pakhan.
Without getting into details, when Alek was killed, my father was no longer welcome to stay in the brotherhood.
He came to Brighton Beach and established his own empire.
” Daniil smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Glad we are finally building some trust.” I hope his talkative mood continues; I am bursting with questions. “Speaking of which, have you located Oleg yet?”
A member of the waitstaff moves forward as if to refill all of our glasses, but Leo stops him with a hand. “We’ll switch to the white Burgundy.”
If I didn’t know better, I’d think they were trying to get me drunk.
“Not yet,” Leo replies vaguely.
“Are you going to share any more details?” I ask sweetly, cutting into a piece of fish.
“As soon as there’s something worth sharing.” A muscle in Leo’s jaw ticks. He’s the least assuming of the brothers, happy to sit back in the shadows and observe everyone else. Though I don’t expect him to open up, I push a little more.
“Is that what Andrei’s dealing with right now? Finding Oleg?” I ask casually. Maybe not casually enough because both brothers look up at me in amusement. “It’s Friday night. Seems weird to be working.”
Smooth, Georgia, smooth.
“Hard to say.” Daniil pops a piece of potato in his mouth, mischief dancing in his eyes. “Probably out on a date.”
“A date!? How nice for him.” I gulp down the remaining champagne in my glass. “I’m glad dating is his priority during a time like this.” Liquid steam must pour out of my ears. After teasing me, then treating me like I’m nothing more than a piece of gum on his shoe, he’s out on the dating scene.
Whatever.
Shrugging casually, I accept the server’s offer of the fancy new wine that Leo requested. “It doesn’t matter to me.” I give both of them a sharp smile and then take a deep drink of wine. “I could use something stronger than this,” I say to one in particular.
Daniil cocks an eyebrow. “Is it vodka time?”
Leo shakes his head, eyebrows raised. “That’s a terrible idea.”
“But it is Friday,” I reason. “And I’ve had a pretty rough few weeks. No offense. I mean, your estate is beautiful, and I haven’t been mistreated exactly, but this isn’t really my idea of a good time.”
“She has a point,” Daniil says, grinning. “Two against one.”
“You’re insufferable.” Leo sighs, like arguing with his brother is the most exhausting task in the world.
Daniil heads to the bar cart in the corner and grabs a bottle of clear liquid, pouring out three shots.
The vodka goes down smoother than expected, tasteless but without the nasty after burn that cheap brands have. One shot turns into two, then three. An hour later, I’m way beyond counting anything. The room is spinning softly, and I’m actually enjoying myself.
“So Georgia,” Daniil says, leaning heavily on the arm-rest of his chair. “What do you like to do for fun?”
I don’t know why but I think his question is hilarious. “Shouldn’t this have been in my background report?” I tease. “I don’t have time for fun.”
“You’re so young. What do you mean, you don’t have time for fun?”
“I watch movies and read books. Does that count?”
Daniil says, “No,” at the same moment that Leo says, “Sure.”
“No, fuck that,” Daniil says, standing. “I mean real fun. Partying with your friends.”
I shrug. I don’t remember the last time I went dancing or had carefree fun. Not when there was a business to run, creditors to fend off, a father in poor health.
“That is unacceptable. Come with me,” Daniil commands in a way that reminds me so much of Andrei. Bossy pants. Still, I follow him. He leads us to the great room, with its soaring overhead wooden beams and wall of windows.
I’m a bit sad and a bit drunk and I just want to forget about everything.
Music pours from speakers, and suddenly dancing seems like a really great idea.
Daniil thinks so, too. The music is something sultry and electronic, and I let loose, swaying my hips and throwing my head back as I get lost in the beat.
Leo refuses to join us. Instead, he watches from the couch, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, as he throws back more vodka. I do not know how he’s still drinking and I tell him as much, but he just shrugs and says, “I’m Russian. They practically put vodka in our baby bottles.”
I think he’s kidding, but I can’t tell.
Daniil moves his body in sync with mine. He’s not touching me, just allowing me to let loose and doing the same himself. I’m sure we look like drunk, crazy people, but we sure are having fun.
Until Andrei walks into the room and ruins everything.