by Ruff, K. S.
I opened the door and walked straight into a well-muscled chest. “Déjà vu,” I muttered. I took a step back to examine the guy Maxim had asked to guard our room. I wondered if his English was as good as Maxim’s. “Vy govorite po-angliyski?”
He smiled. “Yes, of course.”
I nodded. “Okay. I need to step outside and make a phone call. Is that going to be a problem?”
He reached for his cell phone, dialed a single number, then began speaking in Russian. Ten seconds later another man exited the stairwell. I studied the two of them as he joined us. “Do you guys ever wear anything besides black?”
They exchanged looks. “Why?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s a bit unnerving how you all dress alike. Don’t you get bored wearing the same thing day after day?”
The new guy laughed. The man who had originally been standing outside our door folded his arms across his chest. “We dress this way so people know who we are. It helps avoid confusion. If we don’t want people to know who we are, then we wear something else.”
I leaned against the wall. “So this is simply a work uniform… standard attire for the Russian mafia?”
He nodded.
I shrugged as I pushed off from the wall. “Okay.” I thought it odd they were so blatantly open about who they were, but they obviously considered it an effective strategy. I began walking toward the stairs. I glanced back at the guy who was trailing after me. “Do you have a name?”
He smiled. “Lev.”
I nodded. “It’s nice to meet you, Lev. My name is Kristine.”
He chuckled as he opened the door to the stairwell for me. “I know who you are.”
“Do you know where I might find a good cup of coffee? I think I’m going to need three or four cups. Soon.”
Lev pushed open the door at the bottom of the stairwell. “I’ll have one of our men bring some coffee by.”
My eyebrows shot up. “The Russian mafia makes coffee runs?”
He shook his head and laughed as he opened the main door to the hotel. He motioned toward a bench before walking a few feet away. He immediately began texting on his phone.
I took a deep breath and dialed Rafael.
He answered on the first ring. “What the hell is going on?”
“You’re awake?” I gasped in surprise.
“Of course I’m awake. I’m packing a suitcase so I can catch the next flight out of here. What the hell happened last night?”
I glanced nervously at Lev, who was still texting on his phone. “I… I’m sorry. Someone came by the hotel last night, and things got a little crazy. I didn’t see that you had called until a few minutes ago.”
“Kristine…” he growled threateningly.
I took a deep breath and blew it out.
“I want to know why some guy had you pressed up against a wall at a dance club. Who the hell is he, and what were you thinking going to a dance club in Ukraine?”
Lev glanced at me as I shot to my feet. I immediately began pacing in front of the bench. “How do you know we went to a dance club? Do you have someone following me?”
His voice vibrated menacingly. “Of course I have someone following you. I told you it wasn’t safe over there. You wouldn’t let me come with you, so I sent two of my men to watch over you until I could meet up with you in Sevastopol. You still haven’t answered my question, Kristine. Who the hell had you pressed up against that wall, and why was his tongue shoved down your throat?”
I stopped pacing. I didn’t know whether to be pissed off or relieved. I swallowed nervously before trying to explain. “His name is Maxim Markov. It’s not what you think… Well, maybe it’s a little of what you think, but he’s trying to keep us safe. He’s a very powerful man. Other people… far worse people… will leave us alone if they think I’m dating him.”
I winced as Rafael yelled, “What?”
My thoughts rushed out all at once. “We’re being followed by a number of people, and there were bugs planted in our room. The government is extremely corrupt. They often accuse Americans of being spies. They’re notorious for false accusations and tortured confessions. Maxim can keep us safe. If these people think I’m dating him, they won’t mess with us.”
“Who the hell is this guy?”
I collapsed on the bench. “He’s Russian mafia… and he ranks pretty high up.”
Rafael groaned. “You have been in that country for less than forty-eight hours, and you’re already involved with the Russian mafia? You have got to be kidding me!”
I glanced at Lev, who was now watching me intently.
“Start from the beginning,” Rafael gritted.
I sighed. “A woman from the university met us at the airport. She insisted on driving us. She wouldn’t take us to get SIM cards, so Cory had to sneak out of the Internet café to get them. We barely had time to unpack before she carted us off to this dinner that was not on our agenda. It was this huge dog and pony show. The dean was there, along with twenty or more government officials… people from the ministry of education, the ministry of justice, the ministry of culture, and the ministry of foreign affairs. God, I can’t even remember them all. Anyway, Maxim was at this dinner. There was an entire table filled with Russian mafia. Apparently, they attend all government functions. They don’t try to hide it. Everyone is very open about the mafia’s role in their governance.”
I paused as I sifted through what to say next.
Rafael huffed impatiently. “Go on.”
I pulled my feet up onto the bench. I hugged my knees as I pressed the phone to my ear. “There was an endless stream of toasts. I tried to avoid drinking, but I was told it was disrespectful to toast with water. We had to drink the champagne, and the wine, and multiple shots of vodka. Every time I tried to avoid the alcohol, I was called out for it. I tried dumping the vodka into my water glass, but I got caught. I think it insulted Maxim. Evidently, you don’t decline a drink from the Russian mafia. Anyway, he called Shae and me over to his table. Then he separated us. He poured a number of shots, then sat there and watched me drink each time someone made a toast. He kissed me sometime after the fifth or sixth shot. I was wrecked. I ran to the bathroom with Oni, because I thought I was going to throw up. She said there was no way I could refuse Maxim. Nobody tells him no. Ever. So she snuck me out of the restaurant. Igor brought me back to the hotel.”
“Wait. Who are Igor and Oni?”
“Igor and Oni are students from the university. Nonna, the head of the International Relations Department, invited them to the dinner. They’ll be attending our training next week.”
“Continue.”
“Cory and Nonna tried to smooth things over with Maxim. They told him I had to go back to the hotel because I was sick. Cory and the rest of the team joined me at the hotel an hour later.”
Rafael sighed. “Well, that explains why my men couldn’t get into the restaurant that first night. They were told it was a private party. They saw you leave and followed you back to the hotel. They became concerned when you were separated from the rest of your team, so they called me.”
I closed my eyes and sighed as I curled into my knees.
“What happened after that?”
“Nothing more happened that night, but Maxim and his friend, Konstantin, had a bunch of flowers delivered to Shae and me the next morning. We took them to a children’s hospital. Then we went to lunch with Nonna, Igor, and Oni. We were still feeling wrecked from the time difference and all the alcohol from the night before, so we went back to the hotel to sleep after lunch.”
“So how is it you ended up in a nightclub?”
“We went out for dinner and dancing because it was Shae’s birthday. None of us were interested in drinking, so we only had one shot to toast Shae. I was dancing with Cory and the girls, then Maxim and Konstantin showed up. Maxim started dancing with me. He kissed me… and he did press me up against the wall… but there was a commotion, so I was able to slip away. We ducked out
of there when he wasn’t looking and immediately returned to the hotel. He was worried something bad had happened to me, so he came to the hotel to make sure we were okay. We spent nearly the entire night talking in the lobby. Cory was with us. I didn’t have my phone on me. That’s why I missed your call.”
Rafael let out a long breath. “I’m catching the next flight out of here. I don’t like this, Kristine. Not one bit.”
I bolted upright. “Please don’t. I don’t want you to miss out on that assignment with Prince Harry, and I want you to go talk to Michael. Just wait and come next week. Meet me in Sevastopol as soon as you are done in Paris. Please, Rafael. You have people here watching me. The government is watching us, the mafia is watching us, everyone is watching us. Nothing is going to happen to me when there are so many people watching.”
Rafael growled his frustration. “I don’t like you being involved with the mafia. You need to stay away from this guy.”
I sighed. “I know the Russian mafia is notorious for criminal activity, but they do a lot of good things too. I think they are the lesser of two evils here. I’d prefer to have their protection than be tortured by a bunch of guys who are former KGB.”
The line went silent.
“Rafael?”
“What’s your plan, Kristine?”
I eased back onto the bench. “Maxim is taking us sightseeing today. I think it’s good for us to be seen in public with him. I believe people will leave us alone if they think I’m dating him. So, I’d like to proceed with that plan. I don’t intend to be alone with him, Rafael. I’ve told him I have a boyfriend, and he knows you’re meeting me here in Ukraine. I start work at the university tomorrow, so today is my last free day. I won’t see much of Maxim once the training begins. I’ll see him just enough so that other people steer clear of us. I think that’s the best course of action… at least until you get here.”
I hugged my knees, then buried my face in the crook of my arm as I waited for Rafael to respond. It was some time before he spoke. “I’ll hold off coming, for now, but I’m telling my men to move in closer to you. I will not trust your security to the Russian mafia. My men are going to accompany you everywhere you go. They are going to stand guard outside your hotel room and outside your classroom. If you cannot agree to that, then I’m getting on the next plane to Ukraine.”
A rich accent rolled over me. “Kristine?”
My head popped up from my knees. Maxim was standing directly in front of me. Konstantin and two other men were standing next to Lev with coffee. Maxim knelt in front of me. His face was etched with concern.
“Maxim,” I breathed.
Rafael’s voice drew me back to the phone. “Maxim?”
I studied Maxim’s face as I spoke to Rafael. “Yes. He left someone to stand guard over me while he was gone. He just returned.”
“Hand him the phone. I want to speak with him.”
My breath caught. “What?”
“You heard me.”
I shot Maxim an apologetic look. “Rafael would like to speak with you.”
An amused look flitted across his face. “Really?” He grinned as he reached for my phone. His eyes captured and held mine as he stood. “Maxim Markov.” His face lit with surprise, then hardened as he switched over to Russian. I sat frozen as he began arguing with Rafael. His jaw clenched… a few times. He grew silent, then resumed arguing. Eventually, he handed the phone back to me. “Rafael and I have reached… an understanding.”
My hand shook as I pressed the phone to my ear. “Rafael?”
“You should see my men getting out of a gray sedan just to the right of you.”
I looked up as two men exited a gray car. “I see them.”
“Their names are Ethan and Brady. They’ll be joining Maxim’s security team. You are not allowed to leave their sight, do you understand me?”
“Yes,” I conceded in a small voice.
“You can continue with the charade until I arrive next week, but you should be aware that Ethan and Brady will be reporting everything to me. I’m willing to tolerate Maxim kissing you and putting his arm around you in public for appearance’s sake but nothing beyond that. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” I responded miserably.
“I’m having him thoroughly investigated. If I get even the slightest inkling that he has some ulterior motive, then I’m flying directly there.”
“Okay.”
Rafael sighed. “I hate this. I hope you know how much I hate this.”
“I do,” I conceded hoarsely. I was trying not to cry.
“I should be there with you.”
I shook my head. “You have more important things to do.”
“Nothing is more important than you. I love you, Kristine.”
I squeezed my eyes shut as a tear stole silently down my cheek. “I love you too.”
Cory, Shae, and Sammi filed out of the hotel just as I disconnected the call. Two of Maxim’s men trailed after them. Shae’s eyes widened when she saw the circle of men who now surrounded me. “What’s going on?”
I took a deep breath, unfolded my legs, and rose from the bench. “This is Ethan and Brady. Rafael sent them to watch over me.”
Cory looked relieved. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Nonna’s heels clicked across the pavement as she, Oni, and Igor approached the group. Nonna looked livid. “What is going on here? Maxim, why did you have the hotel locked down… and who are these two?” She waved irritably toward Ethan and Brady.
Maxim spoke to Nonna in Russian. Her eyes flitted from me to Ethan and Brady, then back to Maxim. When Maxim finished speaking, her eyes settled on me. “Well, this certainly explains a lot. I’ve been trying to identify these two men since you first arrived.”
Maxim sized up the two men. “As have I.”
Nonna narrowed her eyes at Ethan and Brady. “You two have stirred up some serious trouble. You have raised a lot of red flags with the SBU with your unexplained presence in our country. You had no letter of invitation and no obvious business being here.”
“SBU?” Sammi asked as she edged closer to Cory.
“Ukraine Security Forces,” I responded softly.
Konstantin handed me a cup of coffee.
I smiled gratefully. “Thanks.”
“I’ll smooth things over with the SBU,” Brady responded.
“No. You won’t. I’ll talk to the SBU. The less interaction you have with them the better. It’s bad enough you’ve raised their suspicions, but now that you’re appearing publicly with Kristine, you’ll be drawing even more attention to her,” Maxim responded irritably.
Ethan folded his arms across his chest. He shook his head. “I never thought I’d see the day that special ops would be working with the Russian mafia.”
Maxim narrowed his eyes at Ethan. “I’m not working with you. I’m merely tolerating your presence as a courtesy to Kristine. You get in my way, you question me, or you cross me in any way, you will seriously regret it.”
Brady moved between Maxim and me. “She’s our responsibility.”
Maxim glared at Brady. “The only person who can keep her safe in this country is me. You will be allowed to accompany us as long as you keep your mouth shut and you don’t interfere in anything I do. I don’t care who you work for or what your responsibilities are. You get in my way and you’re gone. Have I made myself clear?”
Brady’s jaw clenched. Ethan and Brady exchanged looks, then slowly nodded.
Maxim turned to Nonna. “I understand the three of you had plans to take Kristine and her friends sightseeing today, but they will be sightseeing with me. I would like you to secure a letter of invitation for these two,” he waved toward Ethan and Brady, “identify them as her security detail, and clear them through the required channels.”
Nonna nodded.
Maxim continued. “You do not need to concern yourself with Kristine this evening. She will be accompanying me to the annual charity ball for the children’s hos
pital tonight. Prime Minister Azarov and his wife will be there, along with the usual press. This will be good publicity for all of us.”
I cleared my throat as I peeked around Brady’s broad shoulders. “Maxim, I didn’t pack anything that would be appropriate to wear to a ball.”
Maxim stepped around Brady and gently tugged me into his arms. “I’ve already picked out a dress for you, kotyonok. Please say you’ll join me.”
I suspected that was as close as Maxim had ever come to asking rather than demanding a date. I was a bit annoyed by his presumptuous behavior, but I’d seen how dire the conditions were at the children’s hospital. The fundraiser was sorely needed, and I was curious to see what kind of dress Maxim had chosen for me. I glanced nervously at my friends before gazing into his surprisingly vulnerable eyes. “Yes. I would love to attend the charity ball with you.”
* * * * * *
We toured Simferopol in three separate cars. I rode with Maxim. Ethan and Brady sat in the back seat. Sammi, Cory, and Shae rode with Konstantin, and a number of Maxim’s men trailed along in a third car. We drew a lot of attention wherever we went, although I couldn’t be sure whether that was due to the size of our group or the fact that we were being escorted by the mafia.
We visited the Vorontsov Palace first. The massive stone palace was tucked into the base of the Crimean Mountains. The intricate woodwork, the ornate wallpaper, and the antique furnishings were stunning, especially for a house built in the early eighteen hundreds. According to the tour guide, the palace was used as a summer home by the Soviet secret police. Maxim claimed that Winston Churchill stayed in the palace during the Yalta conference. We took pictures and strolled through the botanical gardens for a little over an hour.
We visited the ruins of Scythian Neapolis next. Konstantin took the lead on this tour. He explained that Scythia was an ancient city that was built sometime around 3rd century BC. The city was later destroyed by the Goths, sometime around 3rd century AD. The ruins contained an ancient tomb. Konstantin explained that it was the tomb of Skilurus, Scythia’s most famous king. Goose bumps danced along my arm as I caressed the ancient stone.