by Tia Siren
''Hudson. But he was acquitted. In the eyes of the law, he's not guilty. Simple. But after he came to Brighton Beach, New York, back in the nineties, he set up a vast empire of extortion, drugs and trafficking. I'm going to write about it.''
''You'll get yourself killed,' Lela said without hesitation. ''Do you know how many journalists have been killed by Russians? They are masters at it. As soon as you go sniffing around he will put an end to you. Don't do it.''
*****
Nicki pulled her collar up higher. She was glad she'd worn a scarf. The wind was blowing off the ocean and whistling between the restaurant buildings on the sea front. Only the gulls were enjoying themselves as they surfed the gusts high in the sky.
The Crab and Lobster seemed like a nice place to eat. On the sea front, it looked like a giant beach hut. The wooden boards in the facade painted yellow and the small cross bead windows, white. The door was maroon and contained a ship’s porthole. There was a balcony running the length of the building where clients could eat in summer, and its roof was adorned with lobster pots and pieces of fishing net.
Nicki climbed two steps to the front door and looked through the porthole. Inside, it was as cozy looking as outside. There were about twenty round tables, all with red and white checkered table clothes, and a long bar down the left-hand side with wooden stools in front. The ceiling was covered in sailing paraphernalia. Oars, lobster pots, fishing net, anchors, even a brass ship’s bell that hung down from the ceiling into the middle of the room.
She went inside. She noticed a couple sitting at a table in the far corner. They looked like they were making up after a fight. The woman had a blotched face, and the man a hurt look on his face and they were holding hands across the table. There were only two more people in the restaurant. The waitress was only about eighteen and pretty. Why such a pretty young woman should wear her hair in dreadlocks was beyond Nicki. The other person was a handsome blonde man of about twenty-five. He was tall, and his T-shirt clung to a physique he obviously spent a lot of time honing. Unusually for the time of year, he was wearing jeans shorts that showed off his long tanned legs. Nicki wondered what it would be like to stroke over the soft looking blonde hairs that covered them.
''Coffee please,'' she said, sitting on one of the bars stools. The waitress nodded. Nicki reached down to her bag and took out a notepad.
''You're a reporter then?'' the waitress inquired.
''Do I look like a reporter?'' she replied. She was wearing a pair of faded jeans and a white blouse covered by a gray cardigan. Hardly a giveaway.
''The notepad,'' she said. ''Plus we get hundreds of journalists in here.'' She put a white cup and saucer down in front of Nicki.
''Why so many?''
''They're all after a mafia story.'' She picked up a tea towel and started to polish wine glasses.
''Doesn't the mafia own most of Brighton Beach? Sokolov owns this restaurant.''
''I have no idea. I just come and do my job and go home again. Andrey's my boss, and I'm sure he's not mafia.'' She pointed at the blonde man. When he heard his name, he looked up from his newspaper.
''Talking about me again Mel?'' he joked. He got up and wandered over to Nicki. ''I'm Andrey. It's a bit boring in here at this time of the day. Things don't usually get going until after seven pm.''
''That's okay, I only dropped in for a coffee. It's a lovely restaurant.'' He could have been a Californian surfer, she thought. His fresh face was tanned, and his blonde hair cradled his face in long waves.
''Yes, I love it. It's become part of me. There's always an opportunity to meet new people, like yourself.'' He leaned on the bar and put his foot on the brass foot rail. ''So are you?'' he asked.
''Am I what?'' she replied looking into his blue eyes.
''What Mel said. On the lookout for a mafia story?''
''Okay, I am a journalist. A freelancer. That's someone who works.....''
''I know what a freelancer is,'' he interrupted. ''If you're looking for a mafia story, you're fifteen years too late. All the shootings have stopped, and now it's a respectable area.'' He began to laugh, ''in fact the only bad thing that can happen to you around here, is a seagull messing on your head.''
''I don't know, there are secrets everywhere if you look for them. You for example. You sound Russian, so you have a story to tell. Why did you come here? Where are you from? How many girlfriends have you had? I bet a lot of female readers would enjoy reading about you.'' She put her hand on his arm as if she would be one of them.
''I'm afraid it would be a disappointing story. Tell you what, you tell me how many boyfriends you've had, and I'll tell you how many girlfriends I've had.'' He looked pleased with himself.
''One,'' she said without hesitation.
''I don't' believe you. A hot woman like you has only had one boyfriend. Get out of here.''
''What do you take me for?'' she jested. ''Are you suggesting that I may be loose?''
''Of course not. Sixteen.''
''You've had sixteen girlfriends?'' she exclaimed. ''I don't believe you. You're exaggerating, trying to be macho.''
''Sixteen not including the one night stands,'' he bragged. ''Not too bad for a simple boy from St Petersberg is it?''
''I guess not, but I still don't believe you. So why did you come here from that beautiful city?''
''Have you been there?''
''Last year. I studied for a year in Moscow and went to St Petersberg by train to have a look. It really is a very special place.''
''I came here to better myself,'' he said proudly. ''I had a bad start in life. My dad was killed in the Chechen war and my mother never got over it. I found her one day. Asleep in the kitchen, except she wasn't asleep. She'd taken an overdose.'' His eyes stared into the distance for a few seconds before focusing on her again.
Nicki was shocked. She'd had a relatively easy time of it in comparison. Her parents were both still alive and reasonably well off. ''Jesus that's horrible. Poor you,'' she put her hand on his. ''Does it pain you to talk about it?''
''No. Not nowadays anyway. It was nine years ago and time heals.''
''So have you got any relatives?''
''No, I'm all alone in the world,'' he said as if he liked it that way.
''Well, if you've had so many girlfriends, you probably haven't had time for relatives.''
''I guess not.'' He liked her. She was beautiful and had the same sense of humor. He liked the oval shape of her eyes and the way her hands moved when she talked.
''Andrey, it's almost five and where I'm from it's okay to have a drink after five. Would you join me?'' She was beginning to enjoy herself and didn't want their conversation to end. In addition, she was hopeful he could point her in the direction of Maxim Sokolov. She had it on good authority that this was one of Sokolov's restaurants.
''Okay, but you're my guest. Mel, a couple of glasses please.'' The waitress put two small glasses in front of them and handed him a bottle of vodka. ''In Russia we drink vodka, do you like it?''
Nicki hardly ever drunk anything alcoholic and she wasn't at all sure she could stomach a drink as strong as vodka. ''Yes, of course, I love it.''
The way he concentrated as he poured the drinks fascinated her. He reminded her of a young boy she used to sit next to in kindergarten. When he drew a picture, he always held his tongue between his lips. Andrey was doing just that.
''Nazdrovje,'' he said. ''We drink it in one go.''
''Nazdrovje.'' Nicki opened her mouth and downed it in one. ''Jesus, that stings,'' she hissed as her eyes began to water.
He laughed. ''You're not so cool after all are you.'' He put his hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes. ''You'll live,'' he said as she coughed uncontrollably.
''Let me buy you dinner,'' she said once she'd recovered. ''I'm enjoying out chat.'' What she really mean, was that she was enjoying being with him. His easy manner and good looks had aroused her, and she didn't want it to end. After a glass if vodka she was less
focused on getting information about Sokolov and more interested in Andrey and his gorgeous body.
He'd talked her into trying one more vodka, but this time, she'd taken her time to drink it. He'd downed it one and poured himself another which he took with them to a table next to the window. Mel came over and lit the candle that was standing in the middle of the table in a brass candlestick.
''How romantic,'' Nicki said. The vodka had warmed her, and any inhibitions she may have had were gone.
''I think today was my lucky day?'' he said.
''What do you mean?''
''You. You are beautiful. Very beautiful.''
Nicki smiled and put her hand onto his. ''And you've made quite an impression on me.''
They both ate steak with fresh salad. Afterwards, he asked Nicki if she wanted anything else. What she wanted she dare not ask for. But he did.
''Come up to my apartment with me. I live above the restaurant.''
''Don't you have to work?'' she asked buying herself some time to think if this was a good idea.
''It’s eight, and it's quiet. Mel and the chef can handle it. If it isn't busy by now, it won't be later.''
''Okay then let's go.'' Strange, she thought. I have never done this in my life. Never have I gone to a man's apartment on the first date. Maybe that's why you've only had one boyfriend and he's had sixteen girlfriends. .
His apartment was wonderful. It was under the gable and looked out to the ocean. The end wall was made of glass and had a door in it, which led onto a balcony. He'd placed the sofa so he could look out over the ocean. At the back was a small kitchen and in the middle of the room was a double bed. Nicki noticed how clean it was. That was a good sign she thought, remembering Nathan and his disgusting car.
She stood and looked out over the veranda to the ocean. It was almost dark, and the seafront lights were glistening on the water. A gull came and sat on the veranda rail before impatiently flying off again. When Andrey had made them each a mug of tea, he stood next to her.
''Beautiful isn't it?''
''Yes, very.''
He put the mugs down on the floor and put his arm around her. She turned her head to him, and he kissed her. It was a gentle kiss of exploration. When she opened her mouth to him, he put his tongue into her. They kissed for several minutes, neither of them in a hurry to the next stage. When he eventually made a move, she helped him. She stood back from him, took off her cardigan and began to open her blouse. He quickly took off his T-shirt and when he did, it made her stop. There wasn't an ounce of fat on him. All she could see was brown skin on top of perfectly formed muscles. She had never seen a man with a ribbed stomach. It made her hornier still.
Soon they stood naked in front of each other. His penis prodded into her as they kissed, and he felt her nipples hard against his chest. He ran his hand down her back and cupped her buttocks. ''You've got a perfect ass,'' he whispered. She kissed his neck and put her hand onto his shaft. Andrey sighed and let his head fall back. Soon, however, he picked her up and carried her to the bed. He put her down gently and opened her legs.
''I want to taste you,'' he said as he put his mouth onto her womanhood. She gasped as he licked up over her clitoris and down again. ''Oh that's nice, do that,'' she instructed when she felt him press her clit between his lips. He continued as she'd asked, and soon she started to pant. The noise she was making turned him on more and he felt his rock hard shaft sticking painfully into the bed. When she shouted, ''now, now,'' he kept up the pressure, and she came.
''Was that nice?'' he asked. She only nodded and held out her arms for him to come up and make love to her. The scent of her was driving him wild, and he quickly accepted her invitation. As he pushed into her, they kissed deeply and passionately. She pushed her pelvis up to greet his thrusts and rubbed her hands over his back. ''You are more than beautiful,'' he whispered into her ear. His words pushed her further towards another orgasm, and when he increased the speed of his thrusts, she clung onto him and cried out.
''God your hard,'' she moaned as she came down from her plateau. ''You're so big and hard, and I love it.'' He was covered in sweat now, and she liked the ease with which her hands could slide over his skin. When she dropped her hands onto his buttocks, she felt him twitch inside her. She leaned into his neck, ''come on, give it to me.'' When he came, she felt his hot semen shooting into her in a jet like bursts. She put her legs around his back and held onto him. It was only then that she really took any notice of how beautiful their bodies looked together. Black and white.
''You want to do what,'' Andrey said as they lay next to each other. He pushed himself up, leaned on one arm and listened more attentively.
''I want to do an interview with Maxim Sokolov. He owns this place doesn't he? Which means you must work for him.''
''I don't work for him. I work with him and soon I won't be. I'm going on my own. Why do you want to interview him?''
''Because he's the big boss. The one who got away and the only one anyone is interested in anymore.''
''You're mad. Absolutely mad. A young woman like you has no chance with him. You won't even get in the door. In fact, he's more likely to murder you.''
''Well, I can try,'' she said defensively.
''Get your clothes on and leave now. And let this be a warning to you. If I hear that you have been anywhere near him, I'll finish you off myself.''
''But Andrey it was so lovely this evening, why are you suddenly so...?''
''Because you're pissing me off, now get your ass out of here.''
*****
''Hello Mr. Sokolov,'' Mel said as the short chubby man arrived in the Crab and Lobster. ''What can I get you.'' He was fifty-three and as round as he was tall. He'd been a boxer in his youth, a good one. He'd built up a fearsome reputation, and that had lasted all these years. To date, no younger man had dared challenge his authority.
''Vodka and ice.'' It hadn't been a good day. He'd lost three hundred thousand at cards and what was worse, he'd lost to Graham Sander, a small-time crook from Newark.
''Here we are,'' Mel said as she put the glass and bottle on the table. ''Shall I get them something,'' she asked him, referring to the two large men at the door.
''Coffee,'' he grunted. Mel never felt at ease when he was in the restaurant. He was unpredictable and explosive. Once he'd pulled her hair when she'd spilled some water on him. She'd apologized a thousand times, but it didn't matter, he'd made her suffer.
''So what's happening Mel?'' he asked after he'd thrown back two shots.
''Steady away really Mr. Sokolov. As always.''
''Tell me, who was that black woman that was here the other evening?''
How the hell does he know about her she thought? Then she realized, he had eyes and ears everywhere. ''I don't know Mr. Sokolov,'' she said trying to cover Andrey's back.
''What do you mean, you don't know? Are you blind, deaf or dumb or all three?''
Mel knew she had to tell him now. He knew she'd been at work then, and he probably knew that Andrey had taken Nicki upstairs. ''It was a journalist, I don't know anymore.''
He stood up and walked over to the bar. ''Come here,'' he said gently. Mel walked up to him on the other side. ''Lean over, I want to tell you something in confidence.''
Mel leaned over to him and waited for him to whisper. He didn't. He grabbed her by the collar and pulled her over the bar. Her blouse tore, revealing her overflowing bra. 'Nice,'' he muttered.
''Now you tell me who she was, and what she was doing here. Otherwise, I might just have to see a bit more of what you've got to offer.''
''Please, Mr. Sokolov, I'll tell you all I know.'' He laughed when he noticed her shaking. ''She came to the restaurant about four o'clock, I heard her saying to Andrey that she was a freelance journalist.'' She hated doing this to Andrey; she liked him, but what choice did she have? ''They seemed to get on well. They had a couple of drinks and something to eat.'' She didn't want to tell him that they'd gone upstairs, and the who
le restaurant had heard them having sex.
''And, what else?''
''That's it, Mr. Sokolov. I don't know anymore.'' She cried out when he slapped her across the face.
''What else? I won't ask again.''
''They went upstairs together.'' Mel burst into tears.
''Jesus Christ. What next? I thought I could trust him.'' He tightened his grip on Mel's blouse. ''Screwing a journalist is going too far, but screwing a black journalist in my restaurant is disrespectful and deceitful. Tell him I want a word with him as soon as he comes back.'' Mel nodded and attempted to cover herself up.
*****
''Jesus, what the .....'' Lela exclaimed just as she was about to take the boiling kettle from the stove. She ran upstairs and banged on the bathroom door. ''Nicki, what's the matter. Are you okay?''
Nicki didn't reply; she was sitting on the edge of the bath with her head in her hands. If only she hadn't stopped taking the pill during her stay in Moscow, Nathan hadn't been with her, and she'd had no intention of sleeping with anyone casually so she'd just stopped. Andrey had worn a condom, yes he had, she remembered distinctly.
''Nicki, Nicki, let me in.'' Lela was getting frantic. Nobody screaming like that could be alright. She jumped back to one side as the door opened and Nicki ran passed her. Inside, Lela picked up the pregnancy tester and read the text on the tiny display. Pregnant 2-3.
*****
Why the hell do you still work with him? Andrey asked himself as he drove up to Sokolov's mansion. You have enough cash to last you a life time. You're a fool to have anything to do with him. All because you love the Crab and Lobster. Buy it off him and then tell him to F-off.
''I hear you wanted to seek me, Maxim.'' Sokolov's mansion was on the edge of Brighton Beach. It was just like one would expect a man of Sokolov's breeding to own. Brash and full of gold.
''Andrey, come in and sit down.'' Sokolov was sitting in his favorite chair next to the fire. It was another cold day and under normal circumstances, the sight of the burning logs would have raised anyone's spirits. But Andrey wasn't in the mood for cozy fires. He hadn't liked what Sokolov had done to Mel. Mel was just a kid, and she didn't deserve the kind of treatment he'd afforded her.