“Yes, is it a crime for a Russian to eat here?”
“Nope,” he says, going back to cooking. Something tells me he doesn’t like that the man is here.
I take the bread back to him, just to talk to him some more, though he doesn’t talk much.
“What’s your name?” I ask him.
“Ivan,” he grunts.
“I like that,” I say.
“Please sit,” he points to a chair and I do like I’m hypnotized.
“How are you liking the city?” I ask him, grasping at straws.
“Better now,” he smirks, meaning me. I caught that.
“There is lots to see around here. There is a mill near Clifton if you like history,” I gush awkwardly.
“I will have to go see it,” he says.
“What brought you to Toledo?” I ask him, trying to get him to talk more just to hear his voice.
“Business,” he mutters.
“Oh. Well, I hope you try to get out and enjoy things on your trip. I’ll go check on your food,” I stand up too fast and almost go down, but a big paw, no hand catches me. Once on my feet, I turn to look at him and he just nods.
“Thank you,” I reply before going to get his food and taking it back to him. I watch from the security of my hostess station. I shouldn’t be lusting after another man, I’m engaged. Though I don’t have a ring.
But this man evokes something in me, flutters and sparks. I hope I see him again.
Nine
Ivan
That woman was stunning. Though I don’t know when I’ll see her again, I clocked the mob man in the back as soon as I sat down. I think the man cooking was another one. Which means she’s attached to the Italian mafia somehow. And I know they recognized me in some sense. A woman that looks like that doesn’t deserve my dirty mitts on her anyways. I would destroy her. There was an air about her like she was all beauty and sunshine. She’s light where I am dark.
I stroll down the street, trying to look like a tourist and blending in the best I can. It’s kind of hard when I look like me.
“Hey,” I hear a female voice behind me, but I keep walking, there are a lot of people out this afternoon.
“Hey, Ivan” and I freeze since the person is talking to me.
I turn slowly, hand on my weapon at my back, in case the voice comes with a threat. But it’s Adelina.
“Oh hey,” I put my hands in my pockets as she approaches, trying to look relaxed.
“You left your card,” she hands it to me.
“Shit, I totally forgot that,” I mumble, stupid move. I’m better than that.
“It’s alright, I would have hunted you down to return it,” she smiles at me.
“Well, I….” I start to say I have to go when a man practically runs her over and keeps running.
“Hey fucker,” I take off after him, throwing him down when I catch up.
“Ow,” he whines.
