By the time I made it into the ballroom, the celebration had been underway for a solid hour. The sound of the band boomed in the expansive space, drowning out the raucous laughter coming from all directions. The liquor was certainly flowing. I immediately scanned the room before walking toward the closest bar. Everyone of power was positioned in this room, although there was some surprise at my presence.
There’d been speculation regarding my father’s close personal relationship with Mayor Willowby, enough to feed the press for a solid two days. Then as expected, even the most tenacious reporters had backed away.
Certainly under duress.
I would use him as a resource later, pinning him down on what he knew about Church Exports. For now, everything would remain quiet. This was a celebration.
“Yes, sir? What will you have?” the young girl asked in an almost timid fashion, her eyes flitting up and down the length of my face.
“Vodka neat, the best quality Russian vodka you have. Only the best for my friend here.”
I chuckled under my breath hearing Trent Willowby’s order. My order. I shifted my gaze, lifting a single eyebrow. The newly elected mayor was flanked by not one but two insanely gorgeous women. He had no issue flaunting the fact he was single, enjoying the high life. If only his constituents knew about his kinky proclivities.
“I would have thought my presence would be an issue for you, Mayor.” I kept my voice low even as he held out his hand. Taking it, the firm handshake was more gregarious than normal. He was also quite inebriated.
“Nonsense. Your father and I go way back. How is the old fart these days? I haven’t seen Aleksandr in two months.” Trent grinned.
“As you can imagine, my father has been very busy. I’ll be happy to send your regards.” As one of the girls trailing behind him moved closer in my direction, her hand ready to prop on my arm, I knew exactly what Trent was doing. A small payment for services rendered. I loathed this kind of man, although even my own father would say I was similar in nature.
“Yes, well, he and I need to swing some clubs at some point, plus, I need to talk with him about some business we have,” Trent continued, prattling on about making certain the Petrov organization was toeing the line, to ensure the mayor’s powerful hold on the city wasn’t broken. The thought was laughable.
If the man had been inundated with police matters, including an outbreak of overdoses on the street, he certainly didn’t seem worried in the least.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed another recent arrival. I was forced to admit that the attraction was instantaneous. I was also well aware of her identity.
Willow Church.
My instinct had been right. She wanted to see for herself what I was made of. What better location to do so than a public gathering, a true celebration? She looked stunning in a bright crimson gown, the soft material hugging every curve, the color accentuating the glorious strands of copper-colored hair. There wasn’t a man in close proximity who wasn’t standing in awe of the sensuous creature.
Myself included.
I rarely had this kind of attraction to a woman, but she was exceptional.
Trent finally seemed to realize that I wasn’t paying a damn bit of attention to him, shifting his gaze to see what had blocked him out. I felt the heat of his body as he walked closer, forced to lean into me in an attempt to whisper his comment.
“She is gorgeous, Aleksei. I thought you were a permanent bachelor.”
I shot him a single look, remaining expressionless. “Men of true power don’t allow any weakness to show to anyone. That can always be used against you when the time is necessary. Something for you to keep in mind.”
He looked uncomfortable, red creeping up along his jowl.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I see some business associates that I need to speak with.”
“Of course. Do tell your father I need to speak with him,” Trent said meekly.
I didn’t answer, merely gave the blonde a curt nod before walking away. Where I went, Willow would likely follow.
In time.
She certainly wasn’t a player, at least in the terms of being in the public eye. I was curious about her chosen profession. Assassin. If she’d truly been responsible for taking out two of Lorenzo’s men, and two of Dominick’s, then she was quite skilled. My cock was throbbing, my balls tight as drums.
Still, she would need to be grilled for her knowledge. I’d yet to work out a plan, but I was hoping that given her appearance, she would easily fall into my hands.
Then she was never getting away.
I chatted with several acquaintances, growing bored within thirty minutes. If Willow had stayed, she was certainly keeping a low profile. Perhaps Miguel’s information had been wrong. No, the man had remained alive given his propensity of following his instincts and his attention to detail.
“Well, well. I would say you’re slumming it, Aleksei, but I doubt you’ve been in a better crowd for a long time.”
“Police Commissioner Robert Ninchenzo. Why am I not surprised you’re here?” I asked as the man approached. I’d known the commissioner for years, meeting him at a carnival when I was just a boy. My father had only recently established his hold on the city and the then detective had his sights set on becoming leader of the boys in blue. They’d developed a mutual friendship, even though very few people knew about the true extent of their relationship.
He held out his hand, scanning the room. “You have balls coming here, Aleksei,” he said under his breath.
“You know I never mind breaking the rules.”
Chuckling, he took a sip of his drink. “Like father, like son.”
I inched closer, keeping my voice low. “What do you know about an increase of drugs on the street, a strain that is leaving bodies in alleyways?”
He certainly didn’t seem surprised at my question. “Stay out of it, Aleksei, and tell your father to do the same.”
“What do you know?”
“I know that my officers have their hands full. This drug is bad news, a real killer. We’re still in the process of having it analyzed, but early reports are that it’s a pure cut of heroin and whatever the hell it’s laced with can stop the heart within seconds of taking it. I also know the rumor mills indicate your operation is behind it.”
Fuck. This was already getting out of hand. “Our family has nothing to do with this. Where’s this drug coming in from?”
“Where do you think? Overseas. We’re thinking Russia.”