****
When Sara rang the Butlers Pantry to ask for a taxi, Ivan asked where she wanted to go. When she said Saint Stephen’s green, Ivan offered to run her into town. Sonia had asked him to keep an eye out for Sara and check out her date with the man called Frank and Ivan wanted to keep her in sight so that he could pick up on Frank.
“I have a date at five thirty,” Sara said cheerfully as she got into the mini van.
‘Early,” Ivan remarked friendly and relaxed. “Sonia is in town, she was meeting someone also.”
“Yes “Sara confirmed, “We are meeting her later in the Barclay Court. I want to check out my date first, in case he is a bit odd. Sonia has a big date with her man friend and she wants support but I don’t want to ruin it by bringing the wrong man along.”
‘You are looking very smart” Ivan remarked, noticing that Sara was dressed in sober respectable skirt with a clean white shirt and a matching jacket.
Sara smiled, “Have to look low key for Sonia’s fellow. We met at a football match. I think he is old school, so I don’t think I should look like a tart.”
“Are you a tart?” Ivan joked.
“Of course I am” Sara said with a big smile.
Ivan felt a desire to kiss her. Sara was even more attractive in subdued clothes. He gunned the engine into life. If she were in his string he would make a fortune, he mused. But then again he might keep her for himself. Reality bite, Solvieg would kill him if he poached.
“You are quiet,” Sara said as they drove along.
“Oh nothing,” Ivan replied lightly, “By the way. You remember the night you met Frank?”
“Yes, it was the night the bouncers threw out the guy who was on a stag night. You remember the bouncer, I can’t remember his name, the bouncer hit the guy in the stomach and the guy started to get sick and then guy was thrown out into the alley.” “George Walsh. Irish Guy.”
“What?”
“The bouncer Sara, his name is George, do you know him?”
“No, I don’t think so. Is he new?”
“Yes, you can’t remember him?”
“No, I did not pay much attention, you go through so many bouncers and they all look the same, big and fat and rough men in dark suits.”
Good, Ivan thought. He had decided to draft George off normal duties to help him in checking out of Frank. George was a local and less noticeable. Also George was becoming a bit rough on the door and Ivan wanted him off the door for a while. Something was eating George and Ivan wanted to find out what it was.
The rumour was George had big gambling debts.
It would help if Sara could not remember him, whereas Sara would instantly spot Ivan if he took on the surveillance himself. He could follow Frank himself, but he would use George later to observe the get-together in the Barclay Court.
After Sara had told him that her destination was St, Stephen’s Green, he had left a message at the club that George was to meet him there.
As they drove towards St Stephens Green Ivan’s car phone rang. It was Alex, one of his Russian bouncers and his deputy in charge at the club.
“Da.” Ivan said and Alex replied in English. Ivan glanced at Sara who was sitting with her head resting back against the headrest, ignoring the phone call. Ivan was sure that Sara had little or no Russian.
“We have a problem.” Alex said speaking in English
“What’s’ up?” Ivan asked switching to Russian so Sara would not get to hear his business.
Alex took the cue and switched to Russian. “The Irish man George, he has a big problem. I gave him your message that he was to wait at the top of Stephens Green to meet you. He says he cannot work with you tonight.”
“What has happened?”
“Some Police came and asked for him. They served a barring order his wife has taken out. It seems he tried to kill her. They questioned him and then told him he was not permitted to go to his home as he is barred and he cannot talk to his wife or children. They said she won’t prefer charges, but the police said they could charge him if he disobeys the barring order.”
“Where is he now?”
“Here with me. He says he has to go. Will I tell him to go home?”
“No Alex, I gave an instruction for George. I told him a few days ago he would have to work with me tonight. I need him. I don’t allow domestic things to interfere. Tell him to wait for me at the club. He is not to leave. Put him in the gym room and lock the door. I will talk to him soon.”
“O.K.” Alex said and hung up.
He knew Ivan’s word was law in matters of the bouncers at the club. George would just have to cool his heels until Ivan talked to him. Alex picked up the phone and called the bar at the club and asked that the other two bouncers on duty come down to him and George. He wanted no trouble with George and the reinforcements would be there when he told George he had to stay until Ivan came.
“Trouble?” Sara asked absently, not really interested, but the firm tone of Ivan’s instructions in Russian had caught her attention, even though she had not understood a word.
“Nothing,” Ivan said with a smile and Sara let it drop. It was clearly some work related issued and she was on a night off anyway.
“Show me this Frank” Ivan said with a smile and a warm voice, as they came into Stephen’s Green and approached the top of Grafton Street.
“There he is” Sara said pointing to a fairly ordinary looking guy waiting in the Foyer of the Stephen’s Green Shopping centre, which faced onto the green. “You can let me out here.”
“Where is he taking you?” Ivan asked with a smile and a warm voice, as Sara climbed out of the van.
“Don’t know,” Sara said and waved good-bye.
Ivan watched in frustration, he could not stop, as this was not a stopping area on the busy green. George was supposed to be waiting. He should have been here, Ivan thought angrily. Then he could have signalled him to keep them in sight. George and his stupid domestic problems, it did not surprise him that George had trouble. George was too violent for his own good.
Ivan delayed to see where they went. They talked briefly, and to Ivan’s surprise, the man Sara had indicated as Frank introduced Sara to a younger couple. They shook hands and then began to move in the direction of the Gaiety Theatre. A bus honked at Ivan who was blocking his lane and in frustration Ivan drove on.
He was angry as he made his way back to the Club. George had let him down and George was going to hear all about it.
If he wanted to pick up Frank again, his best hope was to watch the Barclay Court Hotel. He could then follow Frank home, and then see what else he could find out about him. George would have to assist.
Ivan gritted his teeth in frustration as he made slow progress in the rush hour traffic.
From what he had seen of Frank he seemed to be normal. He had introduced Sara to a young couple that were clearly friends of his. That was not the act of a homicidal maniac.
He figured Sara was safe and could be relied upon to turn up at the Barclay Court to meet Sonia later that evening. In the meantime he would deal with George.
eighteen
Sonia looked again at the ring. Her hand lay on the counter of the reception desk in the Barclay Court hotel. Samuel fussed with the receptionist, booking a suite and producing his credit card. The hotel rooms were fully booked but one of the suites was free.
Sonia looked yet again at the ring. She was engaged. Engaged to Samuel. He had brought her to a small Jeweller’s in a lane off Grafton Street. There, when the purpose of their business became known, they were shown upstairs to a special reception room.
Samuel mentioned the name of the owner, who was in his Synagogue, insisted on discretion but also a discount even if he used a credit card. This was forthcoming with alacrity when he mentioned, in a discreet whisper to the assistant, his budget for the ring.
It had a centre stone and on each side two more stones. They had a just discernable blue-white hue and Sonia had fallen in love
with the ring the moment she saw it.
“Right.” Samuel said with a smile, “suites in this hotel cost an arm and a leg, but it is all arranged. I told them our luggage was lost at the airport. So they just gave me the key. Want to go up?”
It was around five o’clock in the afternoon and they had a few hours before they were to meet Peter. Sonia followed Samuel to the lifts, linking his arm.
“I’ll get some food sent up and we can have our Dinner with a bottle of Champagne to follow.” Samuel said, fully in charge of the situation.
“I thought I’d get a chance to change for tonight. But I have no other clothes other than what I am wearing.” Sonia said.
“You look wonderful. We can shower and freshen up and have dinner in our dressing gowns. We can dress later to go out.”
“Aren’t you tired Samuel?” Sonia asked solicitous, “we have had a full day of it.”
“Maybe we will lie down for a bit.” Samuel said with a twinkle in his eye.
The suite did not disappoint. It had a full lounge with facilities for business as well as comfortable couches and a dinner table. The bedroom had a very large bed but was spacious and a bathroom led off to one side.
There was a slight awkwardness as they closed the door and were alone in the suite. Sonia’s soft eyes embraced Samuel and she kissed his nose. “You are my hero today.” She said.
“You are my princess.”
Samuel took her by the hand and went straight to the bedroom. “I’d like us to go to bed.” He said simply.
“We can shower together.” Sonia said and began to undress. “Come on.” She said and went towards the bathroom. Samuel, who had sat on the bed watching her undress, was overcome with her beauty and felt unable to move at that moment.
His eyes had softened and she came over and kissed him. Her perfume made him feel like jumping on her but he knew she would expect him to be a gentleman, for the first time at least. He put his hands on her hips, still amazed that she had chosen him.
“I’m at bit wrinkly compared with you dear,” he said, reluctant to undress.
“Nonsense, you are a fine figure of a man, but I’ll go first.” Sonia said, “you look at the menu and order something for us both, for a couple of hours time. We rest and then eat.”
“O.K.” Samuel said with a happy face. He knew he had no intention of resting. Not with a beautiful lady, soon to be his wife, in his bedroom. He brought his hands up to her warm pendulous breasts and her nipples hardened at his touch.
“First I wash” she said, “then I will be cleaned and naked and you Samuel can do whatever you like with me. I am yours from now on.”
“And I belong to you.” Samuel said, “I am the happiest man on earth.”
After her shower Sonia cleared the steam from the mirror and looked at her face. She wondered was it the face of a woman who was in love. Was she more settled in her mind? Marriage to Samuel would simplify everything and would enable her to bring her son Sergie to Dublin for a new life.
Did she seem strained? Was she worried what his family would say? She rearranged the hotel dressing gown to show her cleavage and her thigh. Would he be aroused if she came out of the bathroom like that?
She smiled, she knew he would be.
She was too calm on the outside she decided. Inside her soul was boiling in a torrent of emotions. What would her dead lover Sergie think? He’d laugh at her marrying a man who was getting close to twice her age.
But Samuel would not be cruel. He would not come home drunk and pee in the firepla
ce. He would not be wild. But he would be loving. He would care for her. The passion between them was at a slower burn than with Sergie, but it had enduring warmth. There had only been one Sergie and now there would be only one Samuel.
Was she nervous? Not about making love with Samuel. She would be good for him and he for her. It was so long since she had had a man. After the birth of her son Sergie she had given up on men and reformed herself.
Her new self would belong to Samuel. She would not disappoint him, nor he her. She knew men and knew men like Samuel were scarce, like gold dust.
As she dried her hair Samuel came in to the bathroom.
“I’ll go ahead.” He said.
Sonia smiled at his modesty as he went into the shower and then threw the dressing gown over the top. She decided to steal it. Let him be naked and unafraid. He had nothing to fear. She wanted to see all of him.
“I’ll wait in the bed.” She said. She was tempted to get into the shower with him, but decided she did not want to get her hair wet again.
As she lay naked in bed she felt a warmness creep over her from her stomach. Home at last she decided.
She would talk to Samuel about her nervousness about going forward and meeting his family, but she would try to be outwardly calm and serene. She would surrender, to become vulnerable, and to trust, and to empower Samuel. She would offer him a sacred trust of her heart, her happiness and her hopes for the future.
“Can I come in beside you? he asked, coming to the bed.
“What’s’ that?” she asked pointing to the front of his towel with a smile.
“Something to amaze you,” he said, slipping out of the towel and he climbed in beside her.
Firmly, confidently and strongly, her took her in his arms and their naked bodies warmed to each other.
“You are still damp.” As she whispered as she brought her legs up alongside his.
His kiss stopped her conversation. She loved the way he kissed.
“I could not wait any longer,” he said.
“I forgot a condom,” he whispered. “I can do ‘Coitus Interruptus’ if you trust me to.”
“Do it all,” Sonia said as they looked into each other’s eyes.
“I want a baby sister for Sergie. I am yours Samuel, no need to hold back unless you want to.”
“Then you are my wife.” He said, and they made love with passion and commitment to each other.
Samuel was thrilled with her silken beauty and she was both surprised and moved by his strength and confidence. Sonia ran the edge of their engagement ring down his thigh and he came with a shudder inside her. Using her moisture he stroked her and she too came in passion, arching her back and letting go with a deep satisfied moan.
Chapter nineteen
Ivan pulled into his parking place and made his way into the Lap Dance Club. Alex opened the entrance door and let him in.
‘George was not happy about having to stay. I put him into the rest room. He was so mad he thrashed a few chairs. I left him to it, so he could cool down.”
‘Right” Ivan said, “I’ll deal with him.”
Ivan made his way to the rest room. He resolved to fire George unless there was some redemption in George’s demeanour. He had no place for out of control individuals on his team.
George had indeed wrecked to two loose chairs in the room, obviously by smashing them against the wall. George sat slumped and drained on the couch. Ivan smiled his best smile. “Hello George,” he said and sat beside him.
George looked at Ivan with tortured eyes, grateful to see him and looking to Ivan as his mentor.
“I’m sorry,” he said, “Ivan, I’m sorry I lost it.”
“Tell about it.” Ivan said.
George began to cry, full of self-pity and frustration. Ivan waited, not showing his growing impatience.
“I owe a lot. To a betting group that works out of Ballymun flats. They gave me credit. The horses.”
“How much you owe.” Ivan asked sympathetically.
“About three grand.”
“What they do?”
“They are hard men, criminals Ivan. Either I pay it back or they take me out. For three grand they could hire a lot of hit men.”
“That would not get them the money,” Ivan suggested.
“I can’t get ahead. The interest on the money keeps running up. I can’t get a winner either. My luck has gone.”
“Borrow
at the bank. You have a house.”
“Ellen says no borrowing on the house. She has paid for it for fifteen years. She is not going to risk loosing it. The bitch.”
“So you smash the club up George. Not very clever George. You want I fire you?”
“No” George’s face was contorted. “I lost it, I didn’t mean it, I’m sorry. Let me fix it up.”
“Second time you loose it George. We had to settle with a client the last time you lose it, as you put it.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know here to turn.”
“So?” what next?” Ivan asked matter of fact.
“I don’t know,” George said putting his hands to his face. To Ivan’s disgust, it seemed George was starting to cry again.
“George, why they lend you so much. They know you can’t pay. You just a bouncer. Why so much, what they want from you?”
George looked out through his fingers. Ivan’s usually stern face was softened in sympathy.
“Drugs. They do drugs. They thought I was head of security, that I could get drugs into the club.”
“Then I would kill you George” Ivan said flatly, his face hard again. “You know we don’t deal with local gangsters. Give them and inch and they would take it all. Understood?”
“I understand. I don’t know what to do. They say if I can do a drug run it would pay off the few thousand. I don’t want to be forced to be a drug mule either. They would shop me eventually.”
“Sticky spot George?” Ivan said with a grin.
“What you wife say?” Ivan added.
“I lost it there too. Big problems at home.”
“Tell it all George. Tell me.” Ivan coaxed.
“My wife has a barring order on me, the bitch. When I get home I am going to kill her.”
“I hear, you try already. For why George? You like to hurt her?”
“Bloody sure, to show her who is boss,” George spat. Ivan waited.
“Me daughter, my step daughter, the bitch, she run away from home. I’ll screw her when I get her.”
Love on the Dark Side of the City Page 19