“I might slip up from time to time. I might try again, my father has women picked out for me,” and as I say that it tastes sour on my tongue. I kissed a woman earlier who was engaged. I like it, I want more. I don’t want to marry for honor, I want to marry for love. Does that make me sound like a pussy?
“Let’s go home,” Tim throws down a twenty even though we own the joint and we go out the front door.
“We should walk,” he says, “got to get my steps in.”
“It’s nice out anyways,” I reply.
“And if something should happen, I have you to protect me,” he states with a grin.
“Let’s hope nothing happens,” I grumble right as we pass the restaurant where I met Adelina. It’s closed now, lights off, but I remember everything about that meeting. Where I was sitting, how she looked. It’s like my brain automatically associates something with her. I see a flower and I think will she like it, probably because she loves everything.
We make good time and are almost to our building when two men jump us. Or try to jump me. I swing on the guy and as I connect he goes flying, landing with a hard thud on the ground. I see Tim struggling so I grab the guy by the neck.
“You were stupid to think you’d get the jump on me,” I snarl at the guy.
He is gasping for air as I tighten my grip.
“Ivan, let him go,” Tim hisses at me.
“He tried to hurt us,” I reply.
“I know, but in good faith, let him go,” he states and I do, both men running off.
“You will have to inform your father of this,” he says as we walk into the building. If I hadn’t been there, Tim would have been hurt or killed.
“I’m good,” he says.
“Wait, you never got the girl,” I remember he wanted to fuck some girl.
“It’s alright. There will be more,” he chuckles as we punch the numbers for our floors.
“I’m sure there will,” I agree.
“There’s a whole city of them,” he utters as he steps off, “see you in the morning.”
“Yeah, see you,” I wave as the doors close. I step off the elevator and again go for my gun, someone is in here. I sweep my side and go to my father’s side when I hear laughter, manly laughter.
“Good instinct,” my father chuckles.
“Twice today I’ve had to pull this because people keep coming in and not letting me know,” I put the gun on the kitchen counter and face him.
“You’re protective. If you pulled it, it was because you weren’t protecting yourself but others in the area. It’s an admirable trait.”
“I thought you weren’t getting in until tomorrow?”
“I came earlier. Only Michael knows I’m here. I asked about your uncle and was told he isn’t here often.”
“He’s been spending his time at the lounge and downstairs with the girls,” I tell him honestly.
“Tim did all the work?”
“Yeah, I nod.
“Good to know. I thought giving your uncle a position of power he would do the right thing and take charge. I was wrong. I should have picked someone else, like Petrov.”
“Tim has been doing a great job, father,” I take down a glass since he’s already opened a bottle of vodka.
“He will make a great sovietnik to you,” he states and that’s a great compliment.
