“What do we do then?”
“Keep your eyes on the codes and wait. I’ll call back later today.”
“You mean you’ll be here later today.”
“I have something to do in an hour. If that goes smoothly, then yes I’ll be in Paris.”
“What could be more important?”
“I’ll talk to you soon.” I hung up and called Rolan.
The phone barely rung. “Mikhail! Where the hell is Ava? Her grandmother is worried.”
I blinked. “We were out. Would you calm down?”
Rolan spoke to someone else. “See, babochka. She’s on her way.”
“Hold on. You’re with Mrs. Jones?”
“Of course. Someone had to keep her company.”
She said something off in the distance, but I couldn’t comprehend it.
I shook my head. “Why didn’t you go straight home, batya?”
“Why didn’t you go straight home?”
I groaned. “Perhaps it’s good that you’re there. I’m going to handle the artistic director that was bothering Ava.”
“And then you’re heading to Paris?”
“No. Then, we’re heading to Paris.”
He laughed. “I told you where I will be. You focus on your responsibilities. I’ll focus on mine.”
“What happened to you making sure I focus on them?”
“I told you my theory.”
“On new pussy?”
“Yes, Mikhail. I’m currently in the throes of that dilemma.”
“Oh no, batya. Mrs. Jones is not new pussy.”
“You’re correct. She’s more than that.” Rolan hung up.
Goddamn it!
I called him back. He didn’t answer. I put my phone up, lay back in my seat, and considered what to do with the problem in Paris. Rolan figured Celina took the codes. If that was true, then how did they get in Paris?
What the hell is going on?
Rolan’s theory of new pussy hit my head.
I took my phone back out and dialed Naveen.
“Yes?” Naveen answered.
“Who’s the lover?”
“What?”
“Jean-Pierre’s lover. Who is it?”
“I don’t know. She looks mixed. I don’t know what. She has long black hair and all that.”
“Does she play the violin?”
“I saw one of the guards carrying a violin case into the building where Jean-Pierre lives.”
“So, his lover is Celina’s niece. That’s what started this whole damn war. Jean-Pierre began stalking her niece. Celina came to my father about it.”
“I never got that. It’s not like Uncle Igor to go to war for one of his mistresses.”
“It wasn’t just about Celina. Her niece, Eden is the daughter of one of my father’s men.”
“He died?”
“No. He went crazy. The Brotherhood retired him.”
“So, how does this change things?”
“Celina was always the most manipulative of my father’s mistresses. If Celina gave the codes to her niece, then the niece doesn’t know either. She’s outside of our world.”
“Not too outside of our world if she’s fucking the Butcher.”
“You make sure the Devil doesn’t move until I say so. Everything is too close and personal. I may not have honored all of my father’s intentions, but I won’t let anything happen to Eden. Father had a certain protective nature about her. I’d heard hints that he intended Eden for me long ago. One of his many stupid Brotherhood traditions. He gave that idea up once my obsession for Ava began.”
“All right. We don’t move without your consent.”
“Keep tracking the codes and don’t lose sight of her. If Eden has them and no one knows, then this could work out for us.”
“This will be a hard sell for the Devil.”
“Why?”
“Once he realized Jean-Pierre was directly involved, he became too excited to go after him.”
“There’s a revenge angle?”
“You have no idea.”
“It doesn’t matter. Keep that dog on a leash. If he acts up, shoot him.”
“Understood.”
I hung up and closed my eyes.
Eden is in Paris with Jean-Pierre. How did that happen?
My father would have lost his mind. He might have gone to Paris personally to stop anything from happening between them. From my understanding, Celina and my father had kept Jean-Pierre away from Eden. She was supposed to be well-guarded from the French.
Somehow Jean-Pierre had crept through the cracks and seduced her.
And she has the codes and doesn’t know. How do we get them from her? And why wouldn’t she know? How did Celina hide them?Chapter 8
Misha
Over the centuries, people have called the city of St Petersburg many names. One was the City on 1010 islands. It was built on islands and situated in the delta of the Neva River, forming 42 islands. There were over 300 bridges to cross all the rivers and canals. Every island of St Petersburg varied. Some boasted large populations and were linked to other islands by elegant bridges. Others were unpopulated and required a boat to reach.
Akiva’s place was located on Krestovsky Island. The Middle Nevka River ran right in front of his bedroom window.
The premium luxury condo was the essence of extravagance and grandeur. Over two thousand square feet. Perfectly designed with a warm color pallet. Two spacious bedrooms and two baths. Quality textures and natural materials. Art Deco interior. A large kitchen with a spacious dining area. Therefore the property was serenely separated into social and private spaces without interrupting the flow and essence of the rich décor.