Page 10 of My Russian Protector

The waitress sets a bag in front of me and takes my cash. I watch as she walks to the register and something catches my eye. A man is sitting in a dark corner who looks completely out of place. The restaurant patrons are farmers and factory workers.

This man is wearing a tweed business jacket and tie. I suppose he could be a factory foreman or something, but I’ve never known those people to patronize the same establishments as the workers. They think of themselves as above that.

The waitress returns with my change, and I grab her hand and pull her in close. I smile so that anyone watching will think I’m hitting on her. She smiles, too. She’s the same girl who tried to get my attention the first night.

“What do you want, handsome?” she asks me.

“Who’s the guy in the tweed jacket?” I whisper in her ear.

“That’s it? You want information? Why should I tell you anything about anybody? What’s in it for me?” she smirks but I squeeze her a bit harder and frown.

“I asked you a question. I expect an answer. Who is he?” I demand.

“You’re hurting my arm,” she complains.

“I’ve been known to do more than that when I don’t get what I want,” I warn.

“Okay, okay. I don’t know who he is. He started showing up here right after you did,” she responds.

“Not local? You’re sure you never saw him before?” I ask.

“I told you. Do you think somebody like me doesn’t know every guy around here? Come on, baby,” she quips.

I release my hold on her and say, “Thank you. I’m sorry if I hurt you.”

She rubs her arm and shakes her head, “Damn, I bet you’re an animal in bed. Remember, my door is always open for you.”

I get up from the counter, leaving my bag and walking over to the man’s table. He watches my approach, observing each step as though my gait will act as a clue to my intentions. When I reach the table, I stand before him and say, “Why are you watching me?”

“Why don’t you have a seat, Mr. Alborov? You’re quite intimidating from down here,” he replies.

I slide the empty chair around the table so that my back will be facing the wall when I sit. I don’t need one of his henchmen capping me in the back of the head.

“You know my name but I don’t know yours. How about an introduction?” I ask.

“That won’t be necessary. After this meeting, you and I won’t be seeing each other again,” he replies.

“And why is that?”

“You’ve blown my cover. Someone else will have to take my place. Before that happens, let me be straight with you. You’re here looking for someone that we don’t want you to find. In addition, your traveling companion is a person of interest to us. My employer will pay you quite handsomely to turn her over to us. I can give you my assurance that she wouldn’t be harmed and you can keep the money she paid you as well. You can leave here with a large sum of money,” he tells me and I feel the blood thicken in my veins.

“How do you know who I’m traveling with?” I ask as my heart beats faster.

“Anastasia Pavlova,” he grins.

“And why is Anastasia Pavlova a person of interest to your employer? She’s just a child,” I tell him.

He stares at me for a moment then says, “You’re a smart man, Mr. Alborov. I’m sure that you’ll put the pieces together. Now, you have my offer and I believe your lunch is getting cold.”

I can’t leave without making my point clear, “If anyone tries to accost her, they will die.” I turn my back to him and return to the counter to retrieve my bag. I take one last look at him before I walk to the door. I want to commit him to memory should our paths ever cross again.

He smiles and tips his hat to me. I don’t know who he is but he has the confidence of a man who’s been in the business for a long time. That’s good. Confidence can cause carelessness, and I intend to be there when he messes up.

Back in the room, Anna greets me with a smile. “That took forever. I was beginning to worry.”

I remove the take out trays from the bag and set them on the bed so she can eat lunch. Then, I sit down beside her and rest my hand on her thigh. She sees the seriousness in my eyes and puts her fork down.

“What is it? Did something happen?” she asks me.

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