Dirty Obsessions - The Lion and The Mouse

What will we do with Miss Pavel today?

I checked out the group of people he’d brought along—the usual Brotherhood guards. Six men stood behind him. I looked up and down the hallway. My men weren’t in sight.

“Where are my people?”

“I sent them outside.” Pavel ran his fingers through his hair, tossing it to the side like a woman. “Do you know why I’m here?”

I rolled my eyes. “So that you can show me how pretty you are?”

“No. You already know that.” He twirled the end of one strand around his finger. “You’ve been ignoring your cousin. The Lion wants to talk to you.”

“I’ll call him after the performance.”

“That won’t do.” Pavel tossed his hair over the other shoulder and finally left the mane alone. “You’re coming with me to Paris. Right now.”

“I have a plane set to leave early in the morning.”

“No need. I have the Lion’s plane. You can give your staff a rest. Let’s go.”

“I don’t ride his plane unless mine isn’t near. Therefore, my plane is here, so I’ll leave early in the morning.”

Pavel gestured to his men.

They pulled out their guns.

“Eh.” Fast, Maxwell had his gun out and by his side. Thankfully, he didn’t point it at Pavel. “Keep it cool, man. We’re at a ballet.”

“Exactly.” I clenched my jaw. “This is a classy event. No bullets or guns out while we’re in the theater. Put them away. Now.”

Pavel crossed his arms over his shoulder. “Will you come with me?”

“Yes.”

Pavel signaled his men to get rid of the weapons. They put the guns up. Maxwell followed.

“Let’s go, Misha.” Pavel walked off.

“No.” I pointed to the left. “This way. We leave out the side of the theater.”

“As long as we leave.” Pavel spun around. His hair twirled with him. It was almost a sidekick of some sorts—moving and flowing all on its own. He lifted his hand like a delicate woman and gestured for me to go ahead. “Lead the way, please.”

Of all people. This is who you send?

I walked off. Maxwell stayed on my side. Pavel and his men followed behind us.

Maxwell kept his voice low. “So, we’re going to Paris now?”

“You’ve been around me for a while. What do you think?”

“Ava is still dancing, so that’s a no.”

“This is why you’re my homey.”

“Then what’s the plan?”

“Follow my lead.”

Pavel spoke behind us. “I don’t know what you two are chatting about, but I hope it’s the weather.”

Maxwell glanced over his shoulder. “We’re actually admiring that white suit of yours.”

“Thank you.”

“It reminds me of the dude from that movie Saturday Night Fever. John Travolta.”

I frowned. “He looks like a clown.”

An edge hit Pavel’s voice. “I didn’t have much notice about going to the theater tonight. Misha, you should be lucky that I dressed up at all.”

“I don’t feel lucky.”

“No matter.” Pavel chuckled to himself. “At least I’m not dressed like I’m a twin. You two both are wearing the same suit. Are you both going to perform together after the ballet? Do a little duet on stage?”

His men laughed.

I scowled and increased my pace.

“Hey, man.” Maxwell waved the comment away. “We have similar tastes and we enjoy dressing alike.”

I winked at him. “That’s right.”

We hit the fire exit at the end of the hallway.

I opened the door, leading us out into the side alleyway. Maxwell walked out. I continued and let the door shut behind us, forcing Pavel to open it himself.

He did and walked through. “You’re quite the gentleman, Misha.”

“Am I?”

“You just opened the door for your lover. That inspired me to be better to my ladies from now on.”

“Hold up.” Maxwell headed his way. “You calling me a bitch or something?”

I stopped Maxwell. “Not yet. Wait until his men come out.”

“Yeah.” Pavel tossed his hair onto the other shoulder. “Wait until my men come out.”

His guards entered the alley.

I glanced to the alley’s opening. There, my men appeared, marching forward. It must have been around thirty.

“What’s this?” Pavel growled.

“My men. Lots of them.” I turned back to Pavel. “Why would you think that you could take me out of St Petersburg? You do remember this is my home? I have cameras all over this theater. When my people see me distressed, they send an army. This group is just the first.”

Pavel’s men took out their guns. However, worry crossed their faces.

Pavel looked away from my oncoming men and directed his view to me. “Prague is your home. I should be getting you from there while you’re burying your father.”

I sneered. “That’s big boy business. Stay on your side of the highway, and I’ll stay on mine.”

“The Lion asked me to get you. That means that I’m on official big boy business.”

“Kazimir told you to fetch me like the servant you are. So happy to get a command from Master, you washed and pressed your hair, put on your best suit, and hurried along.”