Page 11 of Betrayed By the Mafia

Chapter 6 - Evgenii

I read the message over and over again, my pride a little stung. I set my phone down and sighed. I don’t need this right now. Shirley is a distraction I can’t afford to have, and yet, despite my recollection being a little hazy, I do remember most of last night and how pleasurable it was, hopefully for both of us.

My heart feels like it’s hammering in my chest, and I’m unsure what to do, so I sit back in my chair and rest, taking deep breaths as I look out my office window at the ocean.

I think about our first proper date together, the first time I took her out alone. I remember how beautiful she was.

A Few Years Prior

I straighten my suit jacket, comfortable and confident despite being old enough to be my date's father. This is simply business. I need information about the Sorvino family, and she’s an easy in.

I wait outside the restaurant, wanting to escort her in. I’ve secured a private booth for us and have asked for a special menu to impress her.

A taxi pulls up next to the curb, and Shirley emerges. For a moment, just a moment, my breath catches. She’s in a short blue figure-hugging dress with thin straps over her shoulders. No sign of bra straps, so either she’s gone strapless, or she isn’t wearing one. The idea of the latter really pleases me.

She has sparkling blue heels, and the whole look gives the impression that she has had legs for days, or so the saying goes. Her hair is down in big curls, framing her face. She hasn’t got a lot of makeup on, but her eyeliner and lashes are stark, making her eyes really stand out.

I walk toward her with a big smile, glad she felt the necessity to put so much effort into a date with me.

I smile. “I am so lucky such a beautiful woman has agreed to come out with me tonight.” I offer her my arm, and she blushes slightly as she slips her arm through mine.

I escort her into the restaurant, where several couples are talking quietly over the clink of cutlery against dishes. I smile and lead her toward the back.

“Shouldn’t we wait to be seated?”

“I know where we’re seated already,” I explain. “I know the owners. They gave us a private section.”

She looks pleased, and that makes me happy. She’s easily won over and clearly likes to feel important. This will be a breeze after all.

I pull out her chair for her, and she sits down, setting a small blue handbag I hadn’t noticed next to her. I keep smiling as I go around the table and sit down in my seat.

A waitress comes over to us with a cheery disposition. “Good evening. Can I get you anything to drink while you look at the menu?”

We both take a menu from her, and I nod. “A bottle of your best red wine and a glass of water each.”

I take full control of the situation. I want to test how pliable she is. She smiles and sets her menu down. I know I can order for her, so before the waitress leaves, I say, “We’ll take two dishes of Pozharsky. Bring extra gravy.”

The waitress nods and takes the menus, leaving quickly.

Shirley looks at me curiously. “What is Po…?”

“Pozharsky,” I pronounce slowly for her. “It’s a good dish. Breaded plump Chicken cutlets, served with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy. I know the chef here. It’s delicious.”

Shirley nods. “That sounds divine.”

I smile and lean forward. “So, tell me about yourself.”

She seems shy again but smiles. “Tough one. I’m not sure what to tell you.”

“What’s your favorite color, for starters?”

“Well,” she giggles. “Blue is my favorite color, I won’t lie.”

“I didn’t want to assume,” I chuckle, sitting back as the waitress brings our drinks.

We chat about a few of our favorite things, and at one point, I reach across the table to hold her hand, happy that she doesn’t pull away.

We stay like that until our piping hot food arrives, then we sit back, and I smile. “I always have extra gravy. This place makes the best mushroom gravy.”

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