"Tomorrow let’s see how far you get with your Russian." As usual his promise to see her the following morning made her smile brighter.
"Bye Mikhail, see you tomorrow," she chirped before backing away from the starting car. As he pulled away, he watched her out of his rear-view mirror. The one-eared girl vigilantly stood there watching his black car disappear.
Early the next morning, Mikhail was greeted by Nico when he stepped off the elevator in his condo.
"Hello sir." wearing his usual all black suit and black gloves, Nico stepped forward to take his briefcase.
Mikhail grunted in response. He was not pleased, but it was pointless to send him back since they were going to the same location. After his customary morning meeting at The Rose, Mikhail always to his office in the shipyards. Since Nico actually worked in one of the warehouses as a foreman, it made no sense to demand the man to leave.
It was still very early in the morning, looking out his window into the dark early morning sky Mikhail let his thoughts drift to Misha again. Where did she sleep? Where were her parents?
Passing under the main overpass that was near Milly's, Mikhail noticed the flashing lights of police and ambulance. Though there weren't many cars this early in the morning, the traffic through the intersection slowed considerably due to curious onlookers.
"Don't worry sir, I will get you there in time." After weaving through the clogged traffic, Nico got them back on track allowing them to arrive only a minute past his normal time.
Misha wasn't there. The familiar one eared jacket was nowhere in sight. A cold feeling formed in the pit of Mikhail's stomach, Misha was never late.
Nico got out to go get his order, but with each minute that passed and no sighting from his usual greeter, the feeling in the pit of his stomach grew colder. The rush of cold air swirled into the SUV as Nico climbed back into the driver seat.
"Sir I thought you should know, the scene down the block was from a stabbing," Nico said quietly as handed him the coffee. Nico must have noticed Misha's unusual absence. Catching the dark look in his eyes, Nico quickly added, "It was an older male transient."
After waiting an extra twenty minutes, he ordered Nico to drive to the restaurant. A part of him was angry that the little street urchin stood him up. Mikhail should have probably felt foolish for waiting, but another part of him was consumed with the cold gut feeling that something was wrong. Mikhail could sense Nico's restlessness as well.
Pulling up to The Rose, Mikhail slowly got out, with every mile his agitation grew. Shutting the door, he walked to the driver's window.
"Nico, I want you to go back the scene and find out more info." With a quick nod Nico drove away.
For a moment Mikhail stood there, there weren't too many times he felt this type of inability. He had no way of contacting her nor did he know where she slept. Even though his pride would take some damage he couldn't help but hope she stood him up.
My other books:
Mafia Romance Series:
Lost and Found
Glass Cage
His Smile
Other standalones:
Wrongful Desires
Desperate
At All Cost
A Cold and Fateful Night
Back to Black
Paranormal Romances:
The King’s Karma
Releasing the Djinn
A Love So Wrong: A Forbidden Romance Page 29