AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ivan rubbed his jaw and then turned back toward the bar. Commerce exhaled. They were all quiet. All feeling uneasy because of him. They wouldn’t push or tease, or interrupt his thoughts. Respect. That was what he required from everyone and that was what he always got.
He forced his mind to not ask questions about that woman. It had been months since he had sex. Perhaps he needed to address that. After all, he was a man, and men had needs. He got that uneasy feeling. His gut clenched and he needed to get into the right frame of mind. Intimacy was hard for him. He distrusted anyone getting too close. It was hard to hold up the walls, while trying to physically and emotionally let go and just alleviate the animalistic need. The more he thought about it, the less he wanted to engage in it. He just couldn’t let down his guard. Showing weakness gave his enemies powers. Never show weakness. Never.
He continued to stand in silence and look around Gables. His place now, as a private partner with Griska, so much was going on around them. The regulars who hung out didn’t even have a clue. Didn’t pick up on the deals being made at certain tables, at patrons who were carrying weapons, held authority and power in families within the city that could gather armies to fight overseas if need be. He had set up an escort service for both men and women coming in from overseas.
It wasn’t for sex, but they offered that as well because it was profitable. It was about providing companionship, a partner, and a guide that could help a customer through their experience in this foreign country as they conducted business, made contacts and tried to better their lives. Most of their clients were Russian and Ukrainian, others were mixed, but their ultimate goals were to succeed in having a better life, and not live in poverty. Those same individuals were already lining up to pay for security when they were in the city, and his new firm would be providing that security for them.
He allowed other associates to make deals, some drugs, some stolen merchandise sold on the black market that he had stakes in as well. He got a cut in all the action, and it took a team of family members, of people he somewhat trusted to help keep track and maintain power and control. All reasons why he couldn’t get involved with a woman on a more committed level. First, she would become a target. Second, he could become vulnerable and not remain on guard and that would be when his enemies’ would strike. Part of the reason why he was so intimidating was he showed no emotions or care of anyone. In fact, he was so good at hiding his emotions, and keeping even his closest friends like Commerce at bay, that no one thought he had a heart. They believed he could kill anyone, even someone close to him.
Ivan was fine with that. The stories, the gossip created around his successes and takeovers were sometimes enough to keep the enemies guessing and not attempting to challenge him. Lately though, he felt like things were too quiet, and that made him feel unsettled and uncertain. It put him on edge and he was an even bigger prick because of it. He looked back towards the bar, his eyes once again landing on the bartender’s hands as he reached into the register and then placed money into his pocket. Was he ripping them off? He felt angry and would love to call him out right now but it wasn’t the time or the place.
He would put one of the men on that bartender, Berin, and let Griska handle it. He wouldn’t accept any bullshit around here, or allow anyone to get away with ripping them off. Gordon’s had become a bit of a hangout place for Ivan and his crew and if Commerce was back in New York for good then they would be here as of
ten as they could.
His cell phone buzzed and he glanced at it. Another shipment of art was coming in hot. He looked at his cousin Mirnon, one of his security guys. “Mirnon, get a hold of the guys and have them meet at the pier to transfer the packages. The ship just arrived.”
Mirnon nodded and then walked away, putting the phone to his ear. Ivan exhaled and then took another sip of vodka. Once he sold the art, he would be a quarter of a million dollars richer. He already had buyers on standby.
Chapter Three
“Order up.” Sam yelled out and Annabella poured Mr. Peterson another cup of coffee as she dropped off an additional chocolate chip muffin and then headed to the counter. It was crazy this morning and she was going non-stop since six a.m.
The door chimed again indicating more people were coming in. It was nearly ten, when was it going to slow down?
“Hey Annabella.” She turned to look and saw Eve entering the café with her laptop in hand and smiling.
“Hey Eve.” Annabella replied, carrying four plates and heading over to table three. She placed down the hot cakes and eggs and asked the family if they needed anything else.
“Coffee, Eve?” She asked her roommate and Eve nodded, taking up a small table for two and setting up her lap top. She would come in and work on her latest project. The history of Stony Point, or so she claimed. Annabella and her roommates thought that Eve was working on a romance novel. Eve dabbled in some freelance work for various publishers and she had a knack for writing love stories, but the industry was cut throat and Eve didn’t want to let go and take a chance.
Annabella got her the coffee and set the cup down. She held onto the back of the chair and exhaled.
“What’s going on? Are the others coming in this morning?”
“No, I don’t think so. They had a late night. What time did you get in?” She asked Annabella.
“Not late at all.”
“Oh God, what happened to your arm?” She asked and reached out to turn her arm by her wrist.
“You aren’t going to believe it.”
“Don’t tell me something went down during your interview? Oh God, you had to use self-defense moves on the guy interviewing you? Shit.” She carried on and Annabella laughed.
“No, no silly. The manager and owner were very nice. The manager was pretty good looking actually. Well, lots of the men there were attractive but I guess that’s something to get used to working at such an upscale night club in Manhattan.” Eve smiled.
“So you got the job and are taking it? Tell me what happened.”
“Order up.” Sam yelled out.
“Hold up a minute.” Annabella said and walked away to deliver another food order. She then took an additional order from another table as a few tables began to leave waving good-bye and saying thank you.
She headed back toward Eve a few minutes later and began to explain what happened.
“Oh my God, you could have gotten stabbed.”
“I know it was crazy but over the years taking those self-defense courses and martial arts classes paid off.”
