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“I can only imagine.” Danny made a mental note to tell Kostya so he could warn the others not to ever drink or eat anything Sean offered.
“Your girl is doing better?” Sean asked, and for a moment, Danny thought he might be sincere.
“She’s fine.” And she was. Mostly. Macy hadn’t experienced any nightmares in the last two nights. She was sleeping better and seemed less anxious and easily startled. It would take a while for her to recover completely, but she would. She was strong. There was nothing that could break her.
“And the stepmother? I heard she’s still not working.”
“By choice,” Danny said, feeling the urge to defend Janie. “She was cleared of all that bullshit. She has her license back, and the hospital rehired her. She’s taking time with the kids. They need her right now.”
There was a brief glimpse of something that looked like true and genuine concern on Sean’s face. “Yes, being separated from your mother as a child is something you never forget.”
Danny suspected that was part of Sean’s villain origin story. Something else he would mention to Kostya in case he wasn’t already aware. That was the type of intel that could be useful.
“On that topic...” Sean reached into the inside breast pocket of his suit jacket. He withdrew a business card and slid it across the table. “Give this to Janie. She can pick up Burt’s cut there every week in cash.”
He took the card and glanced at the address on the back. It was to a dry cleaner not far from here. There was an amount written on the card. “Nine hundred a week?”
“For two years,” Sean confirmed. “We had to shave a little off the top for the trouble Burt caused obviously.”
“Obviously,” Danny intoned dryly.
“It’s not a lot, but it should help her get back on her feet.”
“You know, Sean, I’m starting to think you may not be the cold, heartless bastard you want everyone to think you are,” Danny remarked.
Sean chuckled. “Keep that to yourself. It won’t do my reputation any favors.” He stood and buttoned his jacket. “I would say I’ll see you around, but I’m told you’re leaving on Wednesday.”
“I am.”
“Good luck.” Sean smirked. “If you’d like, I can keep an eye on Macy for you.”
“No need,” he said, not taking Sean’s bait. “I’ve got it handled.”
Sean laughed. “I bet you do.”
Danny stood and held out his hand. Sean stared at it for a moment before grasping and shaking it. “Safe travels, Danny.”
Crunched for time, Danny left the coffee shop and raced back to his place. He showered quickly and changed into the tuxedo he had rented for the occasion. Despite multiple YouTube tutorials, he couldn’t figure out the bowtie. He slipped it into his pocket, gathered up his wallet and keys and drove to Samovar.
It was Monday which meant the restaurant was closed. Nikolai had graciously opened it for the special event Danny had planned, a sort of prom-slash-graduation do-over for Macy coupled with a going away party for him. Dinner, a chance to read her speech, dancing and celebrating. Van had worked with Vivian and Anita to choose the decorations, menu and live band. She had also handled the invitation list.
When he stepped into the restaurant, he was taken aback. It looked as if Nikolai’s garden had exploded inside Samovar. Everywhere he looked, there were big, giant flower arrangements. They smelled so good and gave the space a magical feeling.
“Vivian bought every peony in Texas,” Nikolai said as he strode across the restaurant’s main floor. “Magda is about to lose her mind over the ants, though.”
“Ants?” Danny stepped closer to one of the vases holding the marshmallow soft pink flowers. “Why are there ants on them?”
“Something to do with the sap,” Nikolai said with a wave of his hand. “Where’s your bow tie?”
Danny retrieved it from his pocket. “I couldn’t figure it out. I should have gone with the fake one.”
Nikolai frowned. “Absolutely not. Here. Give it to me.”
Danny handed it over and stood still as Nikolai flipped up the collar on his shirt and looped the bow tie around his neck. He worked efficiently, turning and folding the fabric until it was neatly tied. He fixed the collar of Danny’s shirt. “There.”
“Is there anything you can’t do?” Danny asked, not at all facetiously.
“I’ve got twenty years on you, Danny. I’ve learned a lot of things in my life.” He gently patted Danny’s cheek. “You’ll get there.” Nikolai stepped back, his fatherly smile fading. “How did things go with Sean?”
