Page 21 of The Pakhan

“Exactly.” The poor waitress was a nervous wreck as she placed drinks in front of us. She was close to either hyperventilating or running screaming into the parking lot. I had to know if Stefano was responsible. At least I’d put him on notice I was determined to learn the truth.

“You’re certain these drinks aren’t poisoned?”

“Stefano has no couth but he’s not a dumb man. Given I have six of my men positioned outside, he’s not going to do anything stupid such as trying to kill us. If he did, he’d start a bloody war. Relax, my attorney. What better way to make my presence known?”

I was grinning while Aleks was clearly uncomfortable. Not that I blamed him. Where the Russians had pretty much taken over Brighton Beach, or Little Odessa as the area had been called for years, the Cosa Nostra had tight reins on Little Italy.

“Yeah, well, maybe you’ve gotten too trusting in your advanced age.” He sat back, still scanning the area while I laughed. “What is it you needed to tell me?”

“It’s what I need to show you.” I pulled the folded email I’d printed into my hand, sliding it across the table. As soon as he took a look, a smile crossed his face.

“Let me guess. Your new guest discovered this.”

“Yes, she did. Caroline is a ballsy girl and almost got herself killed, but this is worth its weight in gold.”

“That’s why we’re here.”

“That’s exactly why we’re here. And I think I am going to heed to your recommendation of going to the governor’s ball.”

Aleksander grinned. “Good, since I already replied to the affirmative for you plus a guest. I wonder who that might be.”

I laughed even as I noticed a slight scuffle occurring inside the kitchen through the oval window. While I only knew limited Italian, it was obvious our unscheduled visit wasn’t being well received. “How did I know you were going to do that? But I’ve yet to decide on taking a guest.”

“What about the new girl? How does she play into all of this?”

“The new girl happens to be my daughter’s best friend.”

Aleksander opened his eyes wide. “Ouch. I didn’t recognize her. Cradle robber, you.”

“Very funny and she’s changed dramatically in just a few years.”

“I’ll say. Hot if you ask me.”

While he was teasing, as soon as he said the words, the possessive side of me jumped in, my anger rising.

“Whoa,” he said, knowing me far too well. “Down, Pakhan. I didn’t mean any disrespect to either one of you. I was just making conversation.”

“Just be careful, my friend. Caroline is an off-limits subject.”

“Understood. Don’t look now, but I think we’ve got trouble. In fact, I know we do.”

In truth, I was hoping to have a nice visit from Stefano. As he sat down next to Aleksander, I knew what my counselor was thinking.

That he’d need a hot shower.

Stefano had aged since I’d last seen him, his once ebony hair now complete salt and pepper.

“To what do we owe the honor of the Pakhan of the New York Bratva visiting our humble little establishment?” Stefano asked. There was a shimmer in his eyes as if he enjoyed playing the game that had been initiated years before.

Maybe I did as well.

“My attorney and I found ourselves close by and the Yelp reviews on the restaurant were amazing.” I smiled in my usual friendly way, although most called the expression diabolical.

“Yes, we do have some incredible food and very loyal customers. I often come here with my wife.”

We were both dancing around the issue. He knew it. I didn’t care.

“From the delicious scents, I can understand,” I told him, doing nothing more than sitting back in my seat, casually sipping my drink.

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