Page 51 of The Pakhan

“Shit like that was never an obstacle before. Plus, isn’t she around your daughter’s age?”

“Yeah.”

“That means only around eighteen years difference.” He grinned and I could tell how much fun he was having.

I took a few more bites, tired of the same tastes. The same haunts. The same routines. There was very little I considered exciting any longer. Maybe that’s why the feisty woman had sparked a fire where none had been lit for a very long time. “You’re talking semantics right now. I’m not good for her and you know that.”

“By your admission only, my friend. Granted, I’ll give you a piece of unsolicited advice.”

“Isn’t that the same as always?”

“Very funny. Be careful jumping into the fire with both feet. Eventually, there will be no way to dig yourself out without getting burned.”

“Said by the man who has a date every other night of the week with a different gal.”

“I like to taste what’s out there. Sue me. So. Are you bringing your illustrious houseguest with you tonight?”

I admit I’d almost backed out. I needed to make it very clear to Caroline that what had occurred could never happen again. Only I’d yet to find the right words. “I did tell her to dress appropriately and we were going out tonight.”

“With pink hair.”

“I also asked her to change her appearance.”

“Uh-huh,” Aleksander muttered. “I guess it will be interesting what she comes up with. At least the damn event requires a mask.”

“When were you going to tell me that?” I abhorred them almost as much as festive, fake parties for pompous assholes.

“It just occurred to me. Sorry. However, maybe that will work to your benefit.”

Fuck me.

In truth, her hair color was just another reminder of how young she was. “This isn’t a date, Aleks. She’s working for me now. That’s the terms of her prison sentence as she calls her sudden incarceration.”

He choked on the sip he’d taken, glaring at me as he grabbed his napkin. “Prison sentence?”

“I forbid her to leave the house until further notice. She is being kept under guard at all times. Yeah, I guess it is a prison.”

“How long do you intend on doing this?”

“Until I decide not to.” I noticed a flurry of activity coming from the other side of the restaurant. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Was there a reason you chose this restaurant today?”

“It’s one of our favorites?” He was grinning, which meant he was up to something.

“Try again. New arrival across the room.”

He returned to his food, taking his time cutting the tender steak. “Yes, I heard through another client Stefano was coming here for his birthday lunch. I thought you’d want to get the game started early but I think you’re heavily embroiled in it at this point.”

“And the arrival of the governor and his entourage? Are you trying to be a copycat?”

“Well, if you remember correctly, Stefano has slithered into the real estate market and since Governor Chipino’s brother is in charge of the labor union, I wanted to see how far the Italian would go. I thought you might as well. Sometimes, being nothing more than an observer isn’t a bad idea. You don’t always need to be a bull in a china shop.”

Aleksander never minced words, which I ordinarily liked about him, but he was trying to push my buttons, which was something he knew better than to do. I was like a snake, striking when least expected.

“And I suspect Chipino is on the take. You are aware of that?” I threw that out, curious if my friend did know. Again, it wasn’t something I’d been able to prove. Yet.

He laughed again. “I’ve been around the bush more than once, you know. I’ve heard the ugly rumors, which is what makes attending the ball even juicier. Imagine having all the good and bad guys in one place at one time.”

“If anyone wanted to take control of the city, that would be the best time to do it.”

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