Page 117 of Boss

Tarek accepted the envelope. He walked past the stairs into the parlor while opening it. Yegor was right. There was graffiti on the walls, and trash thrown everywhere. The furniture that was left was either cut or ripped by knives, or spray painted over.He pulled out the contents of the envelope. They were pictures, many of them. All of them were of his beautiful Kassidy.

“We found her three years ago. We couldn’t tell you this while you were in custody. She’s in a small town called Danbury. It’s in Illinois. Her name is Clarissa Wilson and she is a beautician.”

“Beautician?” Tarek smiled at the name she chosen.

“Yes, and she sells ladies perfume and makeup. That’s how we found her. She’s listed in their directory as one of their top sales people.”

“Is she married? Does she have kids?” Tarek asked. He sat on the desk in the parlor and shuffled the pictures. He was no fool. Four years was a long time to ask a woman he'd only spent a few months with to wait. She was beautiful. She’d blossomed.

“Married? No. Kids? No. She lives alone, and has a pet. A dog I think. She does nothing. We’ve talked to people in town and she’s pretty quiet. Leads a very silent life. This is your woman? No?” Yegor asked.

Tarek arched a brow. “Yes, why?”

“Well... I just think she’s pretty tame, for you. Not your style.”

“She's my style,” Tarek smiled. “This is good. Tell Pakhan I’m pleased that he kept his word.”

“How’s the Russian?” Yegor asked.

Tarek answered him in Russian and Yegor nodded with an impressed smile. “Very good. You've improved. Now you can come to the Moscow and tell my father yourself. There are things that are expected of you. As soon as you are able.”

“I have probation,” he said.

“You will find that you will get special permission for the trip. It is already being worked on.”

“I should have known. I’m ready.” He stared at the image of Kassidy. He was more ready than he’d ever been in his life.

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