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“Was that necessary?” I scoff.
“Yes.” Lev looks back at me with raised brows. “You don’t know these people. I do.”
“But you were so rude.”
“And?”
“You were just… rude. He was being nice.”
“Pierre is not nice.” His voice dips low, a sign to pay attention. “He was assessing you to see how receptive you are. To him. He may wear the face of a respectable man, but he’s anything but.”
“And you are?”
He grins. “No, there’s nothing about me that looks respectable. People know I breathe danger. What you see is what you get with me. Now come.” He motions forward with his chin, gazing at the group of people ahead on the raised platform. “There’s a man I don’t mind you shaking hands with.”
He’s referring to the tall elderly man with a muscular body that could give a lot of these younger men a good fight. I guess him to be Igor Petrov, the Pakhan whose birthday we’re here to celebrate. I heard about him from Papa. He’s always saying he’d like to be as tough and resilient as Igor when he gets to his age. Seeing him now, I understand why.
Igor is eighty years old and the only tells of his age are his full head of white hair and the wrinkles on his face. Everything else speaks of youth, and a man who takes care of himself.
We head to the platform. Igor notices us when we get closer and smiles, moving to meet us halfway. Immediately, I can tell the difference between him and Pierre. There’s a warmth to his presence that’s trustworthy.
“Pakhan,” Lev says, releasing me and bowing.
When he rises, Igor steps closer and hugs him, then the two exchange a few words in Russian. I’m able to pick out a few words Lev says, like birthday celebration.
“It’s a pleasure to have you here, Pakhan,” Igor replies, resting his hands on Lev’s shoulders. “Though it’s the first time I’ve ever celebrated a birthday without your father. I am truly sorry he’s not here.”
“Thank you. Knowing him, he’s here in spirit.” Lev nods.
“Indeed.” Igor gives him a reassuring smile before he looks across at me. Instantly, my nerves spike. “This lovely creature reminds me of my angel.”
“Good to meet you. And happy birthday.” I dip my head respectfully.
“Thank you, my dear.” He extends both his hands and shakes mine. “Apologies for missing your wedding.” He cuts Lev a hard but knowing look, then returns a softer gaze to me. “Come and meet my wife. She’ll absolutely adore you.”
“Oh, wow. That sounds great.”
Lev returns to my side and places his hand on the small of my back.
We go up on the platform, where Igor introduces me to his wife, Yelina. She’d been talking heartily with a group of elegantly dressed women who seem to be hanging on to every word that comes out of her mouth.
Like Igor, Yelina looks amazing. And she’s nice, too.
“Come, let us go to the garden and leave the men to talk business,” Yelina says with a light chuckle. “They always talk business even when we’re supposed to be having fun.”
“Don’t complain. It gives you extra time with your friends, my love,” Igor answers, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
He’s different from what I expected and different from most of the men I’ve been around. For a start, he seems to adore his wife. I don’t know him, but I sense he’s not the type to cheat.
Yelina links her arm with mine and ushers me ahead. Instinctively, I glance back at Lev. He nods once and gives me a wink.
Yelina takes me outside, where her friends join us. We sit under an ornate gazebo with ivy vines wrapping around the columns.
The women start talking about where they’re vacationing at the end of the summer. Not long after, Anushka joins us. I’m glad to see her.
The conversation deepens, turning into a series of exciting life stories, and I’m surprised when I get lost in it. Hours later, when the conversation dies down, Anushka nudges me.
“Let’s go freshen up,” she whispers, leaning close. “There’s someone I need to talk to later.”
