“You got me. Want to join?”
I shake my head. It’s been a week since I’ve seen Adelina but I can’t stop thinking about her.
“Nah, I’m going to go upstairs and swim for a bit and then hit the gym,” I tell him, downing my drink and slamming the glass on the table.
“Have fun,” he says as I make my way upstairs. But I make a beeline for the side door and decide to take my chances in the city, looking for Adelina. I need to see her, my demons need calming.
I walk for hours and find myself in a park. I take a seat and watch the local children play until a dog runs up to me. I look for an owner but I don’t see one. I hear a rustle in the bushes and turn to the sound.
“Is that your friend in there?” I ask the dog, who just barks and licks my hand.
“If you’re here tomorrow I’ll bring treats,” I pat his head and he runs off.
“If there is someone in the bushes, I won’t hurt you,” I say calmly.
Nothing else happens so I take my leave. I didn’t see Adelina either. I could go back to the restaurant but I don’t want to take the chance of starting shit with the Italians if that place is connected to the mob. It’s not time to go around starting wars, pretty sure my father would kill me for that if it wasn’t warranted.
As I’m walking back I can feel someone watching me. I can’t tell where, but there is someone there. It could be the Italians. My father would do the same thing, put a guard on the new players in town. Until they make a move on me or someone else, I’m not worried.
I nod at Michael who is manning the lobby desk tonight and punch the button for my floor, sending a text to my uncle and Tim to come up for a minute. I should tell them about being watched. Though my uncle might take it as them being aggressive. He has a screw loose sometimes and he likes to jump to conclusions.
The knock on my door signals their arrival so I grab a bottle of vodka and some glasses before letting them in.
“What’s up?” Tim asks as he sits on the couch as my uncle stands.
“We’re being watched. I think I was followed home today,” I inform him.
“Did they do anything?” Tim asks.
“Those bastards,” my uncle seethes.
“Before you get all crazy, father, let him finish,” Tim shushes his father, who glares back.
“I didn’t see anyone, but it was a feeling. And if it was my father, he would have us follow new players in town,” I state.
“That’s true. Who do you think it was? Cops?”
“No, I think it was the Italians. I think they might have figured out who I was when I ate at that place the other day,” I reply.
“They will go down,” my uncle shoots off.
“Whoa, let’s give it back first,” Tim says, “we will find out who the big players are, who the capo is, and put eyes on them. It’s only fair. We don’t need to go out half-cocked.”
I agree with that statement. We have other things to worry about, first.
“Get ready. You have a big night tomorrow,” my uncle points at me.
I hate to tell him but I was born ready. There won’t be much of a fight since Pavel will be cowering in a corner, but I will have the satisfaction of snapping his neck like a rag doll. Of course, I will play with him a little bit, give the audience a show, but he’s not walking out of there alive.
“See you in the morning,” I say to Tim as they start to leave.
“Do me a favor, stay inside tomorrow,” my uncle almost commands me, but I’ll let him have it.
“I will,” I agree to it just this once. I don’t want to rock the boat any more than I have.
“See ya,” Tim waves as he shuts the door, leaving me alone. I swim for a bit, drowning the bottle of vodka as I watch the sun go down, wondering when the real adventures begin.
Twelve
