“This is money from my company and has nothing to do with the Bratva. I promise.”
“I don’t know you, Misha. I’m sorry, but I don’t take bags of money from anyone that just had me kidnapped. Mistake or not. I’m nervous.”
“I understand.”
“I’m glad you do. That tells me that you may not be as dangerous as I think.”
I frowned. “I’m not dangerous at all.”
Again, that skeptical expression appeared on her face.
I’m harmless.
I let out a long breath. “Thank you for giving me these days. Not only will I muster up the confidence to confess this to Ava, but I will show you that I am not what you think I am.”
Silence remained between us.
Dear God. This is going to be a tough sell.
“I will leave the bag here,” I continued. “The suite is in your name. You can return here this evening or stay with Ava at her condo.”
“Ava has a condo? I thought she was rooming with Olesya?”
“She was. After Olesya’s passing, I bought the condo so Ava would still have a place to stay.”
Jacqueline gazed around the room like she hadn’t seen it already.
What the hell is she thinking? This conversation doesn’t seem promising at all. If anything she looks more scared.
A knock sounded at the door.
It opened and Maxwell stepped inside.
“Oh, you’re in here,” Maxwell said.
I nodded. “Of course. You didn’t think I would be in here?”
“I didn’t.” Maxwell turned to Jacqueline.
Wait. If you didn’t think I was going to be in here, then why were you coming to Jacqueline’s suite? Damn it, Maxwell. I said no fucking Ava’s grandmother.
Maxwell dusted off his shoulder. Clearly, nothing was on it. A Brioni tuxedo didn’t dust or wrinkle. It simply covered a man in excellence and pure taste.
“You look amazing.” Maxwell walked up to Jacqueline, took her hand, and kissed it. “Can I call you Jacqueline?”
She gave him a weak smile and took her hand back. “I’m sorry, but I would prefer Mrs. Jones.”
Maxwell frowned for a second and then nodded. “Mrs. Jones is fine. I understand.”
I rolled my eyes. “Perhaps, we should go. The limo will be waiting outside.”
Jacqueline’s face brightened. “We’re going to see Ava now?”
“Yes.” I checked my watch. “The ballet will begin soon. We have to make sure you are in the balcony by the time she steps onto the stage. I cannot wait to see her face.”
“Thank you.” Jacqueline studied me for several seconds and then strolled off.
I wish I had a camera to put in her brain and read everything that went through her mind.
Maxwell got to my side as we followed behind her. I swore the whole time, he watched her ass, but it all could’ve been in my mind.
My man opened the door for Jacqueline as she strolled through.
Maxwell whistled and whispered to me, “Grandma is looking good.”
“Keep your cock away from her.”
“Of course.” Still, Maxwell appeared to be watching her ass as it moved in the gown. “However, I think you should have me get close to Jacqueline. I could soften her up more.”
“I’ll think about it.” I sighed but admitted to myself that in some ways that could be a good idea. While Maxwell distracted Jacqueline, I could spend more time with Ava.
As we hit the hallway, Maxwell whispered again, “Did she take the money?”
“No. What do you think about that?”
“Not a good sign. She has a morals. Also, she probably isn’t buying your good guy routine.”
“To say she is skeptical would be an understatement.”
“She’s from the Bronx.”
“Meaning?”
“Think about what came out of the Bronx.” Maxwell continued as we headed to the elevator.
Jacqueline remained several feet in front of us.
My guards flanked her.
“What came out of the Bronx?” I asked.
“Hip hop. Music from broke people that were upset. You know most of the first DJ’s started by taking record players out of dumpsters and putting it together to make music.”
I eyed him. “Maxwell, how does this relate?”
“It means that the Bronx is full of tricky bastards. Hustlers. They may struggle, but they always survive. It means that she’s seen a lot of shit. She’s an old head. It’s going to take a lot to get through to her.”
“Do I even need to get through to her?”
“If Ava and her grandmother have a strong connection, then yes.” Maxwell shrugged. “Am I helping, man?”
“You are.”
“Good because personally this feels like a dope ass vacation from the shit that Em usually has me doing.”
“And what’s that?”
“Killing and cleaning up bodies.”
“Well don’t get too comfortable just yet, Maxwell. You may be killing and cleaning up bodies soon.”
The elevator was small.
I let Jacqueline and her guards get on first and take it down.
Maxwell and I waited for the next elevator.
Several of my men stood behind us.
Maxwell glanced at all of them. “It probably doesn’t help that you’ve got all these killers around you.”
“They’re guards.”
Maxwell snorted. “They’re killers. Jacqueline isn’t stupid. If her brother is about that life, then she know what the fuck is going on.”