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She grinned like an evil little mastermind. “Thank you. I thought it was good, too.”
Louie stood in front of the buttons to pick a floor. There were only two to choose from. One was labeled “1” and the other was labeled “2.” I assumed that each button identified a floor, and we were currently on the first floor. Louie pressed the “1” and held it until the elevator began moving down. As soon as the doors opened, the smell of cigars filled my nose and low jazzy music filled my ears.
Louie and Dario got off the elevator first and stepped to the side so Nicoli and I could take point walking into the room. The carpet was dark red with gold swirls. It reminded me of something you’d see in a casino. As I took in the rest of the room, I realized the carpet was fitting. Poker and craps tables filled most of the large room and each one was occupied.
Some goons lined curtain-covered walls, others stood closer to their bosses, but none blocked walkways. Many young women in lingerie walked around with trays of drinks, poker chips, and cigars. A little blonde-haired and blue-eyed waitress with an empty tray noticed us and veered our way. She zeroed in on Nicoli right away.
“How can I help you, sir?” she asked him with a thick Russian accent.
“Where is Sasha?” I asked.
She frowned as she stared at me, almost as if she was confused that I was even talking. I stared back expectantly. She glanced back at Nicoli and when he didn’t speak to her, she regarded me with a little more respect. “I’ll go get him,” she said and quickly went off to find Sasha.
“I’m trying very hard not to be judgmental right now,” I said as I took in the rest of the waitresses, who obviously served more than just drinks here.
“I’m not,” Brenna grumbled behind us.
I noticed Nicoli’s smile as I went to look over my shoulder at her. Brenna was frowning at Dario, who was smirking back at her.
She leaned close to him. “It seems you have a type,” she said in a low voice I could barely hear.
“And what’s that?” he asked her.
I couldn’t hear what she whispered, but I was able to read her lips. “Young and blonde,” she whispered, and his smirk fell off his face instantly.
“Sasha’s coming,” Louie said to me.
I faced forward just in time to see Sasha’s surprise at seeing me and then Nicoli.
“I never thought I’d see a day where Quinns and De Lucas walked through my door together,” he said as he approached. His beautiful gray eyes locked with mine. “Good evening, Maura. I was very sorry to hear about Stefan.”
I had the knee-jerk reaction to correct him—Stefan wasn’t dead—but I managed to refrain. “If you’ve heard about Stefan, then you probably know why I’m here.”
He nodded. “Rumors are already spreading of your takeover.”
“And how does the pakhan of the Bratva feel about me being the head of the Quinn family?” I asked.
“We are as loyal to the Quinn family as we have always been,” was his response.
“I’m glad.” I gestured to Nicoli. “Did you also hear of the alliance I formed with the De Lucas?”
Sasha’s brows rose slightly. “I did not.” He held his hand out to Nicoli. “Sasha.”
Nicoli shook his hand firmly. “Nicoli.”
“Welcome to The Underground.” Sasha’s eyes roamed over us, and they paused on Brenna for a moment.
“Maura is going to need a few million in chips,” Louie said.
Sasha nodded and looked to Nicoli. “Would you also like some chips?”
“I’ll take the same,” Nicoli said.
Sasha turned and gave the room a quick glance. When he saw whatever he was looking for, he leaned close to me and said in a low voice, “I recommend you start at the table in the far back and all the way to the left. They’re big players in this city and they were loyal to Stefan.”
I nodded my thanks.
“I will have your chips brought to you,” Sasha said before he walked away.
