Three Months. Three months have passed since the ball and I am no further in finding what is needed to take down the Russians and make them pay.
I sit in the usual third booth with my Martini as my aquantance appears
"What's your name ?" Her eyes flick to mine as her dance begins
"I think it's more exhilarating not to know don't you ?" Her hands running down her barely covered chest.
"How was your get away ?"
"Good, I met a boy. Very handsome, dimples, brown eyes" as she sighs
"How long has that been going on ?" My finger circling the rim of my glass
"Two months, early stages but developing well. You should see the way he smiles" her eyes full of awe and I provide her a small smile, placing some bills into her panties, sliding from the booth.
*************
"Amore.." Nico pulls me by my jacket now pinning me to the wall in our hallway, his arms caging me in as my stomach flutters
"Six months of marriage and I find myself still wanting the embrace of your legs .." his finger catching my chin and tilting my head to his, Antonio immediately clears his throat, cheeks rather red. I smirk to Nico and tease him with my lips, gently brushing by as I slide under his arm
"Don't walk away Amore, I'm not finished with you.."
"Then come find me.." casting a glance over my shoulder as my eyes wonder from his groin to his lips, Nicos eyes darkening by the second.
Heading for the kitchen Mary scurries past, Angelo on her tail
"Leave me Angelo, I'm working !" Her voice exasperated
"Why won't you let me in love, I know what you need, what you want ..."
"I'm not interested in being your other woman Angelo ! Now get out" her finger pointing to the door that I enter through. Her eyes widening as her mouth dries
"Em- Emilie er .." running her hands though her hair casting glances to Angelo "he was just leaving .."
"Don't believe I was" casting a stern glance to her shaking head in frustration
"Don't worry about it I'm here for some tea and then I'll be out your twos hair !" Smiling to myself as I make myself a cup and leave.
Heading to my desk I find a large paper envelope. Placing my cup down and sliding open the flap, pouring the contents to my desk my eyes fall to the black and white photos. Tanika and my brother on a stroll, Nico exiting his car, Mary and Angelo wrapped in each others arms and the dancer from Junoesque.
I keep skimming through the photos looking for me or my father to be in the bunch, even my mother but nothing. Dropping to my chair, my hands run through my hair
They're watching us
Glancing from my window. Exhaling a large breath I'm going to have to strike them before they strike here. Looking to these pictures they are telling me they can get to me, hurt me in all these multiple ways, it's far to easy for them. So I need to make it easy for us. Leaving my room I find a camera, contact lenses, make up and an outfit.
Now to get these out of here ... deep in thought my bedroom door opens and I slide the contents in my arms under the bed.
"What are you doing ?" Luka stands in the doorway, his hands pocketed
"Dropped the back of my earring" groaning and jumping to my feet, I run my fingers down my pant legs "What you want Luka ?" He shrugs
"Having the usual, you in ?"
"Do I really have a choice ?"
"No" Shaking his head, a smile playing on his lips "after you .." glaring at him I brush by
Until tonight ..
************
Seated in a hired black BMW I hold my camera, snapping away at Viktar who always seemed to be stood on Vlademars right. So far I have seen them exit a high end restaurant, stop of at a Chinese takeaway and now we are at a brothel.
So far all I've noted is the Chinese takeaway is your standard laundering base, the restaurant is all legal and in their name but here ... here is interesting ...
"Business or pleasure Mr Padiloba" muttering to myself as I make notes on my paper pad. I watch him enter then leave forty five minutes later.
Back into the car I follow him a couple of blocks until he pulls of towards his own mansion. Not uncommon for man to get his kicks and return home
We continue like this for a week and I note that everytime we hit the same brothel, Valdemar enters alone and leaves again exactly forty five minutes later, his regular timed session. Seeing him drive of I know I need to get in, but how. Tapping away with my pen and pad I head to the door.
Old fashioned should do it
"State your business Miss" the guards hand placed near my chest
"Same as everyone else, for pleasure" a slow smile hinting my features as the guard steps aside, his lip curling.
Once inside I notice the plush interior, all reddened furnishings and blackened walls with velvet curtains shutting of corridors or private rooms.
Now to find a way to get behind that desk..
"Well ain't you a pretty thing" a woman strides toward me, her bust pushed up to her chin
"What's your fancy sweetheart ?"
"Sorry, its my first time. Can I get a drink maybe ?" She smirks
"Sure love, follow me" walking behind I take note of the women I pass, one inpaticular catching my eye because she carries a child
"You have babies here ?!" I glare to the woman as she laughs
"God no! She's just brought her baby here for a bit, we take turns watching him while she works"
"A little boy ?" The woman nods "she does this all the time ?" I watch the baby bounce and smile happily on her lap
"Well ain't you a curious thing ! What are ya ?! A reporter?"
"Something like that .." spinning on my stool towards her "I just ... want to see, put myself in theirs and your shoes I suppose.." shrugging sheepishly as her eyes examine my expressions
"Hey Tammy !" The young lady turns to us as the woman tilts her head and she walks to us, baby in hand
"This curious little Darling wants to know what it's like to be us.." Tammy's eyes look to my shy smile as she sits beside me
"Here drink this, the good stuff" taking my glass I nod my thanks as the woman leaves me and Tammy alone
"your son, he's beautiful" offering a small smile
"Thank you, he's taken a lot from his dad" Smiling to the child
"Awwh I bet he's chuffed ! He must work lates I'm guessing" Tammy frowns to me
"Because he'd of had the baby waiting for you at home to finish otherwise, right ?" Sipping from my glass
"Ohh no me and the dad aren't together" she shudders and laughs
"Oh I'm sorry .. I shouldn't have"
"Oh don't worry ! Easy to do, your married ?" I followed her gaze to my ring
"Yeah" I nod "for a little while now"
"Oh I'd love to be married" she sighs revealing her breast to feed the hungry child
"Maybe you and the father could make a go of it ..?" Sipping my drink
"Oh no, can I tell you something ?" I nod leaning close "he was a client" casting her eyes around and I mouth 'oh' as she nods
"Yeah .. I messed up"
"Does he know ?" I whisper back as she nods
"That's the only reason I bring him around this time for his visits" I nod as she stands
"Gotta go and drop him at my mums .. "
"You need a lift ? I mean if you have a car seat or something ?"
"No its okay I can drive thanks though" nodding I finish my drink and get ready to leave
"Here" I give her couple hundreds "thank you for talking to a lonely stranger" she nods pocketing the cash.
*************
Seated outside her mums house, I snap pictures of the hand over, the child asleep in his mother's arms. Doing this doesn't sit well with me but when it's my family on the line I'm willing to do anything.
Heading to the Chinese takeaway I step out with my hood overhead, wearing all black. Outside I do a run of the perimeter, stopping at the high wooden fence. Using a waste bin from the alleyway I climb the lid, jumping and using my hands to pull me up to peer over the fence. From here I watch the men walk round back, open a hatch in the floor and disappear from view.
"Underground operation" I take a few snaps on my phone and slid back down. Stepping inside the takeaway I order a chow main and spring rolls, sitting in their waiting area. Fifteen minutes pass and I'm handed my order, heading back to the car.
On the drive home I noted two cameras pointed to the counter with blinkers to make me aware they are functioning, now all I need is a way to get at his kids.
I ring an unknown number
"Hey its me .. yeah you need to listen, they're watching"
"How can I help ?"
"I need his kids"
"I've got Mikhail" disconnected beep fills my ears, looking to my eyes through the review mirror, a smile on my features
"hasta que nos encontremos Anya" (until we meet Anya)