Page 5 of The Pakhan

The partially closed door was thrown open, Sergei returning. “Sorry to bother you, boss, but there’s a waif outside who insists she knows you and you’re the only one who can help her.”

“A waif?” I scrunched my eyebrows together, trying not to laugh. “Did she tell you who she was?” Very few people were stupid enough to simply show up at my residence for no reason.

He shook his head. “She refused and yeah, she looks like a drowned rat.”

“She drove?”

“She drove a piece of shit here. What do you want me to do, escort her off the property?”

“Did she say anything else?”

Sergei grinned. “That she has something you might want to see.”

I glanced at my other two men, both of them grinning. “Fine. Bring her to my office.”

“You got it, sir.”

“And bring a towel as well.”

Sergei laughed before leaving.

Aleksander was still grinning. “Looks like you have your hands full for the evening. I have an early deposition, so I need to get a few hours of beauty sleep. Come, Nik. Let’s leave the powerful man alone.”

“It’s going to take more than a few hours,” Nikolay teased.

At least there was camaraderie within the ranks. I laughed and shook my head. “We’ll talk tomorrow about your… ideas.”

Aleksander said nothing as the two men started to leave but I knew what he was thinking.

That I was a hardheaded fuck.

I had amassed a significant fortune by being just that.

As well as ruthless. Brutal.

Unforgiving.

All the things needed in a mafia leader.

Just as the two men walked out, Sergei brought in my illustrious guest as well as a scruffy looking duffle bag, which he placed on the floor. The first thing I noticed was the girl’s shocking pink hair. The second was that she was drenched from head to toe. The third was that she was wearing chartreuse green tennis shoes. And the last and perhaps the most important aspect of this… waif was that she was carrying a bat in her hand.

She was also shivering, dripping water on my lovely Persian carpet. Fortunately, within seconds Sergei brought a couple of towels.

Aleksander gave me a look before both men walked out.

“You want me to stay, boss?” Sergei asked.

“Not necessary. I think I can handle this.” My men had already frisked her so other than the bat, there was no fear she was some femme fatale. After the double doors were closed, I waited to see if she’d say anything. She lifted her head, but the mess of pink hair was plastered to her face. I couldn’t see much of her features except for the nose ring.

Now I was glad I’d forbidden my two daughters from getting anything other than their ears pierced. The silence was only marred by the continuing storm. When another rumble of thunder occurred, the girl jumped.

“Not that I don’t appreciate mysterious visitors, but I would prefer knowing your name,” I told her.

She walked closer, her brow furrowed. When she brushed hair from her face, I finally was able to realize the seemingly fragile girl was fucking beautiful. Her features were perfectly carved, aristocratic, her small nose just adorable. But I sensed a fierceness in her by the expression on her face and the spark in her eyes.

“You don’t recognize me?”

Her voice was… Wait a minute. It was impossible. The little girl I’d known had turned into a woman. “Caroline?”

---