Rhapsody (Butcher and Violinist 1)

The next day, Sasha’s Russians arrived. About ten of Igor’s men remained. The rest left Belladonna and returned to Prague.

Sasha and I had met in a bathhouse down in Manhattan. It had been my favorite meeting of the year. Finally, I had a breakthrough in this war. My enemies would take themselves out, without anyone knowing about my involvement.

Sasha was trying to prove himself. If he knocked out Kazimir, he would take all the glory.

The steam room soothed my muscles.

Only wearing a towel, Sasha leaned against the wet marble wall. His short blonde hair was slicked back. Steam rose around him. “On your return to Belladonna, kill Igor’s remaining men and then send me their heads.”

“Where will you be?” I asked.

“Back in New York. Send it to the brothel I showed you earlier.”

“And how will you kill Kazimir?”

“That is my information.”

I nodded.

“When will you go to Belladonna?” he asked.

“I will leave this evening.”

“You’re eager to see your violinist?”

“I am.”

“Then, may your union be successful.”

Ten hours later, I found myself in Belladonna.

Sasha’s men met us in secret at the airport. They let us know that Celina had been so preoccupied with us, that she didn’t spend time at the Candy Shop much anymore. Shalimar had most of the reign each day.

Celina popped in a few times, but no more than three times in a month.

We’d been assured that all her moves would be reported to us.

We just had to take care of Igor’s remaining men. They stayed close to Celina. She would begin to notice their disappearance, so we would have to grab the lower level ones first. The closer we got to Kazimir’s date of assassination, the more we would kill them all.

Could this all be so simple? And how will I get Eden in time?

I had less than two months to meet and take her away. There weren’t many ways I could convince her. Kidnapping would be out of the question. I would need to turn on the charm to the highest degree. There could be no half-stepping.

Once Kazimir died, I would need to get Igor. Then, Celina would be clued in to what was going on. Only God knew what other resources she had. Therefore, I had to gain Eden’s trust in that short time too.

Would she understand it all? How soon should I tell her? It can’t be the first time I meet her. She would think I was a crazy man.

Giorgio met us near the Candy Shop’s kitchen entrance. He re-assured me that Celina was far away, and no one had been notified of our arrival, except for Shalimar.

Rafael growled. “You told her?” From there, we moved through the brothel with ease.

“I told her Rafael was here,” Giorgio said. “She asked me to warn her.”

“And you listened?” Rafael snorted.

“Did you tell her that I was here?” I asked.

“No, but that was only because she was so upset Rafael was here and stormed off. She said she had someone to meet and show around. Shalimar wanted me to take you all upstairs and meet with her there.” Giorgio quirked his eyebrows.

Rafael shook his head. “No. You all go to the dining room. I need to meet with Shalimar on my own.”

I eyed him. “Once you two talk, then bring Shalimar down to the dining room.”

“Okay.” Rafael headed off to the stairs.

Giorgio guided me toward the dining room. “How did you get to enter Belladonna without Celina knowing?”

“I’ll catch you up later. Let’s get something to eat.”

We stepped into the dining room. The place was more packed than usual. Several men and women crowded the tables.

Everyone’s attention was on a nude woman dancing on the stage.

A waitress turned to us, spotted Giorgio and hurried our way. “I’m sorry, Giorgio. I will take your guests and you to your table immediately.”

Apparently, Giorgio is the big guy around the Candy Shop these days.

She took us to our table.

Giorgio gave me the center of the table. He sat down on my left. Louis went to my right. The rest of my men found their spots.

The waitress winked at me. “What would you like to drink?”

“Something cute,” I said. “See if the bartender knows how to make a French 75?”

“Champagne, lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin?”

“Exactly.”

“I’ll get that for you.”

“Thank you.” I gestured to the stage. “What’s going on after the dancing? Will there be live music tonight or more dancing?”

“Yes to the live music.” She grinned. “We have a violinist. Some are saying it’s the owner’s niece.”

My heart paused for a second.

No. She couldn’t be telling the truth.

This had to be a cruel joke. There was no way Celina had fought me, and built a wall around Eden, only to ruin the Belladonna Symphony and have her niece playing in a brothel.

No. This is a misunderstanding. Celina must have another niece that Louis didn’t find.