At goddamn last, he opens a set of double doors out to what appears to be a sizable backyard.A large patio, green grass, a koi pond, and a mini golf course.
It all feels...off.
Takes me a moment to realize the sky above is artificial.As well as the virtual, hyper-realistic views of the rich green hills backdropped by gray mountains.
The fuck is this place?
Masked Dude nudges me toward the mini golf area at the south end of the yard, where Pavlov is lining up for a putt.“Go on.”
He turns and leaves.
Slipping my hands into my pockets, I move with unhurried steps down to the golfing area.
Pavlov takes his shot.The ball rolls in cleanly.Pleased, he rests the club across his shoulders and turns to me.“Slept well?”
“Like shit.”
“Good.”He nods, pleased at my misery.“Golf, or breakfast?”
I throw a glance over my shoulder to the patio where there’s a large table laden with food.The only thing I’ve got an appetite for right now is seeing Soraya.So I turn to the rack of golf clubs and pick one that suits me.
“Ah, I forgot, you’re a night-life man.”Pavlov shifts to the side as I line up my shot.“Do you think I hate you, Castello?”
“I’d be flattered if you thought about me enough to hate me,” I reply.“I’m merely a beneficiary of this organization, not a contributor.So I doubt you even remember I exist half the time.”
His chuckle is low and curt.“That is true of most beneficiaries, yes.You, on the other hand…”
“Oh?”I slide him a quick glance.“I mean, I’ve been told I’m incredible, unforgettable, inimitable.ButPavlov Niiveauxspends his precious, invaluable time beingawareof my existence?”
“Toleratingyour existence,” he corrects.“Whether you live or die means as much to me as whether the wind blows east or west.In my world, you’re a speck.A pesky lint on my Egyptian cotton.”
I take the shot.Sink the putt.
“The two most important women in my life, however...”Pavlov steps around me, setting up his next shot.“One despises you.The other...”He pauses, gives me a measured look.“Cares about you.”
No need to guess which is which.JB wants me dead.Soraya showed up to help.
Wait, have I unknowingly created a rift in their family?
“Hmm.Are yousureyou’re indifferent to me?Because that sounds like a tough and uncomfortable place for you to be in,” I taunt.“Be honest, you resent me a little bit.”
Golf club an inch from the ball, he pauses in position, then swivels his head to give me a look that conveys his patience is thinning.“You really get off on people hating you, don’t you?”
I shrug.“I don’t trust people who have no enemies.If you’re loved by everyone, you’re betraying everyone.”
“Hm.”He straightens and gives me a solid once-over.“Maybe Ishouldstart paying more attention to your existence.No one gets this far or this high up in life by being a foolhardy idiot.”
He takes his shot, and misses.
With narrowed eyes and a tight frown, he turns to me and wags a finger.“You’re sneaky, Castello.Real sneaky.”
Yup, I threw him off on purpose.When I’m not the most powerful, skilled, or feared man in the room, I sneak into the mind.Mental manipulation is a silent weapon.
“Let’s go.”He throws down his club and walks off.“We’re having breakfast.”
Powerful figures are such sore losers.
Showing a little decorum, I pick up his club and return it to the rack along with mine before heading up to the patio.
