“Perfect, Michael.” I even pulled out my wallet, grabbing two hundred-dollar bills for show only. I’d already exchanged money, making no connection to Russia.
Other than my name and face.
He nodded, only his eyes flashing in recognition that he’d passed a test.
With my thoughts still straying, I moved through the lobby constantly scanning the area. There was a trio of musicians in the corner, greeting guests with a quiet, almost passionate yet highly melancholy welcome.
Was this what people wanted to listen to when going on vacation? Or perhaps the hotel was considered a daytime attraction, more for use in a wicked affair. Another series of images tore through my mind, every one of them including my flying companion.
The moment I’d seen Vivian appearing lost, what little of a gentlemanly side I had had kicked in. I’d thought I’d simply enjoy a few moments in the presence of a true unassuming beauty. Little had I known our paths had crossed for a reason.
If only to get my rocks off before this… adventure was set to begin.
I stopped in the middle of the lobby, waiting until Cormac approached. He’d been assigned as my lieutenant, a man who’d been with Dimitri for a long time.
“I assume Dmitri is here?” I asked.
He chuckled as he flanked my side. “Waiting for you in his office.”
“The executive suite?” I’d seen a layout of the entire group of buildings including every amenity. Somewhere in my suitcase was a glossy brochure offered by travel agents, the pictures online on the website.
“He rarely goes to the executive floor. His more operational office. I’ll show you.”
As Cormac led me to the line of elevators, I noticed there were several only accessible by special cards. Typical and there were two such cards inside my package that Kazimir had provided.
As we stepped off onto one of several private floors, I was struck by the silence offered in the corridor.
We passed two men, both in plush and no doubt complimentary robes. With towels in their hands and wet hair, I could only assume they’d been to a spa.
“For executives and their… guests,” Cormac offered, obviously noticing my perfunctory scan for weapons.
“Am I to assume that there are various distinctions within our guest population?” I detected more security on the floor from cameras to listening devices.
He laughed. “You would be right. Our platinum club members are our highest priority. For their catered indulgences, they pay a premium and don’t mind doing so.”
“Or so you hope.” I should say ‘we’ at this point since I owned a significant share of the hotel. If this hotel was successful, the facility would be used as a model for others.
“Trust me, Mr. Aristov, in the two weeks of our soft opening, we’ve been one hundred percent booked with a waiting list well into six months.”
“Impressive.”
While I should know every amenity offered, I had to admit with the last two weeks being a complete blur, I’d forgone learning about every inch of the hotel. I didn’t plan on indulging in many activities, carnal or otherwise.
There was too much at stake.
However, as soon as Cormac led me inside the darkened club, I sensed the reason for the private floor and the increased security. While drugs of any kind were being phased out of the corporation especially given the recent changes, it would appear just about anything else was allowed.
The dark foyer opened into a main room where there were bars and tables set up like any restaurant, both men and women enjoying a late-night dinner or cocktail, I could sense their companions were recent additions. High priced escorts of top caliber. I could only imagine what other floors and their amenities might offer.
While I knew little about Dimitri other than the stories I heard from Kazimir, I hadn’t expected him to be a showman of sorts. Seeing him on the slightly raised level, the area only holding a few tables and currently only one being occupied brought a sense of concern.
Had he proven helpful in what had occurred with Kazimir and his brother’s betrayal? Yes, but by all appearances, he was enjoying the hell out of his newfound celebrity.
And he’d been deemed one of the hottest bachelors in New York City, which seemed to have gone to his head.
As I approached, both Dimitri and his lieutenant Dante Marichetti stood, the woman who’d been lounging on Dimitri’s lap scurrying away almost instantly.
“There you are,” Dimitri said, offering a handshake. “I was becoming concerned your plane had crashed.”
