by Cora Blu
The low lounge seating made sitting with any grace impossible in a strapless dress. Simone held the top of her dress then sank down. Last thing she needed was to flash a crowd of men drinking who didn’t speak English.
A quick glance up indicated Seth found her dilemma amusing. That luscious mouth curved into a broad smile as he unbuttoned his blazer. She pebbled beneath the knit dress when he lowered his face and spoke into her ear.
“You drink Vodka?” he asked.
She nodded and released the breath she hadn’t known she held. She closed her eyes when he kissed her neck, then stood to place their orders. After speaking with the waiter, he joined her in a more composed manner than she had.
Mikhail sat beside her, which provided a great spot to people watch on the dance floor.
“I just wanted to thank you both for a wonderful dinner and company. This is just what I needed. Thank you,” she said, setting her purse on the low white table anchoring the lounge set.
“You came to Austria for a good time, not to sit and people watch,” Mikhail said and held out his hand. “Dance with me.”
She met Seth’s brief glance and fell into the trap that was his sex appeal. Desire stirred in her. “I’ll save you a dance, Seth.”
Seth winked at her. “Have a drink, then go enjoy yourself,” he said, handing her the drink the waiter handed him seconds ago.
She took a quick sip and blanched. “What—is—that?” She covered her mouth, setting the glass on the table.
“It’s called a screaming orgasm. You said you can handle vodka.”
“I thought Mikhail was the flirt.” She ducked her head and kissed his face. “Thanks for keeping your promise to get me out of the mountains. I’m not certain I’m ready to go home now,” she said. Her breath caught when he held her chin and covered her mouth with a quick but thorough kiss. She wasn’t sure how to take his heavy flirting, but she enjoyed this relaxed version of him.
“I keep my promises.”
So he had. “I taste gin,” she said, licking her lips.
“It’s called ‘slow comfortable screw.’ They serve American drinks here as well as local specialties.”
“Wow, you really held back in the cabin, huh?”
“Go enjoy yourself, Sim. You went through a lot. You deserve a break.”
And she did. Mikhail spun her around the dance floor until she was ready to take the four inch heels off and go barefoot, which a few of the women had already.
Back at the table, watching the two guys getting to know one another made it even harder to contemplate leaving. Mikhail traveled to America more than Seth and that seemed to put a stiff rod in Seth’s back. She listened to them talk about their childhood and the similarities were baffling. Seth grew up in Russia and Mikhail in Austria. They were alike in so many ways, yet so different in many others.
“Excuse me, miss.” The server came over with a drink and a note. “Compliments of the gentleman in the corner,” the woman said.
Simone leaned out as the waitress stepped to the side to allow Simone a view of the sender. The man sitting leaned forward and came into view, chin resting on steepled fingers.
“Oh I can’t accept this.” She kept her tone polite. “Please tell him I’m with someone.”
“Can’t he see she’s already with two men?” Seth pulled her toward him in a possessive gesture.
Mikhail pushed away from the table. “That was an insult and a challenge in my…”
“Please, guys.” She turned back to the waitress. “Would you please convey my message? I would appreciate it very much.”
“Not a problem, honey, but that guy's been watching you all night,” the pretty waitress said. Her red hair caught the blue lights flickering through the air, making her pale skin glow.
Simone looked over in the direction of the corner table and she could see that he was blond but that’s all.
“Guys, if you don’t mind, I would like to call it a night.” She moved closer to Seth.
“You sure?” Mikhail asked.
“Yes. Let me go to the restroom and we can go.” This was why she hadn’t mentioned seeing the guy ogling her before. After seeing them fight back at the house, she could just imagine them spending the night in jail and her bailing them out. Not sure if the attention was for the way she looked or her being an American, but she’d had enough.
She crossed the club’s dance floor and passed the pay phones to the restrooms with her purse tucked under her arm.
“You aren’t from here, are you?” A male voice came out of nowhere.
Simone, negotiating her tall heels in the runner, rounded on the voice behind her. “Excuse me?” she said. The stranger’s eyes zeroed in on her strapless dress, raking a seedy trail down, and then back up her body.
“Hi. I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m Gregori. You are?” He extended his hand.
She looked at his bleached hair then outstretched hand and knew it was the corner guy. “Gregori, the drink… I refused it for a reason. You could see I’m with someone, two someones.” She stepped back away from him. Her skin tingled with raw apprehension. Honeyed lighting bathed down the corridor walls. Just enough glow to see the restroom signs and the X-rated pictures flashing behind his eyes. He wanted more than a dance tonight.
He leaned his bouncer’s body against the archway. “It was only a drink. Why waste your time with two men when I could satisfy you all by myself?” She looked past him in the direction of her table, but it was too far to the left. He watched her look for her companions.
“You’re a beautiful woman, miss. My place is just around the way. We could go and have some real fun.”
“Either you step aside and allow me to pass or I scream my head off,” she warned, looking for his vulnerable side in case she was forced to kick him. No man wants four-inch heels in the family jewels. Her strapless dress didn’t allow for much more.
He stepped back but did not leave. “I like a woman with some fight, Simone.”
Tension coursed through her. “How do you know my name? Why were you asking me for it if you already knew it?” He stood close enough that she could smell his cologne and the liquor on his breathe.
Simone could see patrons weaving in and out of the cocktail area, but could not see the guys.
She needed to get out of there so she relied on what her little brother taught her.
She whistled as loud as she could and when he came at her, she jammed her heel into his thigh. That was enough to do two things, he doubled-over to grab his thigh, giving her the opportunity to punch him in the temple and ran for the dining room. He grabbed her forearm before she crossed the threshold.
He was hurt but never wavered. She caught her balance as Seth came barreling down on him. Mikhail snatched her away from the other man, his back against the wall. Seth landed at least four or five good blows to the jaw and Simone heard a crunch. She could see blood running from Gregori’s nose. Seth must have broken his nose with that last punch. The music was so loud she wasn’t sure if they would hear her whistle, but they had.
Seth pushed him into the wall with his arm twisted behind his back. “Who are you?” Seth grilled him. “Why her?” He looked back at Sim. “Did he hurt you?”
She rubbed the spot on her arm where the man grabbed her. “He didn’t get a chance to.” Mikhail held her to him then set her back a little to check her over. She tugged her strapless dress up, collected herself and asked, “How do you know my name?” She managed to stay cool, or at least she projected the image of calm. She let her gaze travel over the man’s face. She committed his features to memory. Something wasn’t right. Too many things had happened to her.
He squirmed in Seth’s arms. He swore out, “I think you broke my nose, you prick!” Gregori’s nose bled.
Seth’s grip tightened. “Be glad that’s all that I broke. I’ll ask again. Who are you and why her?”
“She was checking me out. I figured you two had a go at her, why not me?” He wa
sn’t the brightest light bulb out there.
“You asshole.” Seth smashed him into the wall, leaving a blood sample on the earthy tinted plaster.
“Don’t make me twist your head off, punk. That’s a lady you’re talking about.” Seth had his body up against Gregori.
The club’s security was there as well and Seth turned Gregori over. Lights flickered over the patrons standing around. Mikhail never relaxed his hold on her.
“Did he follow you back here, Sim?” Seth looked her over.
“I guess so. He was the guy that sent over the drink.” Mikhail finally pulled back taking his jacket off to wrap around her shoulders and then pulled her close to him.
“Seth, you okay? He didn’t hit you, did he? You have blood all over the front of your coat.” She looked around as the patrons filled the room. “Please go wash it off. I’m fine. I just need to sit down for a minute.” She knew Seth got the only blows in, but she was agitated. That guy wanted to hurt her. How did he know her name?
“Forget about me. Did he touch you?” He looked her over and Mikhail had a death grip on her.
Would the craziness ever stop? “He knew my name.” She looked from one man to the other. “Somebody wants something from me, but I don’t know what it is.” Her heartbeat still keyed up.
“I don’t know, Simone,” Mikhail answered as Seth went to wash the blood off his blazer. “We’re gonna find out.” He rubbed a hand over her shoulder in a consoling manner.
She went back to when she and Kim arrived at the hotel days ago. The flight had been smooth. Many people spoke English so she had no problem communicating with the local people. They went from the airport to the hotel, checked in, and packed her duffle for the hiking tour the next morning. They ordered room service, had a few sandwiches before turning in. Who had she ticked off to have this much trouble follow her around Austria?
The crowd of gawkers thinned out down the middle. Craning her neck around Mikhail’s broad shoulders she could see the man approaching was of importance. He carried himself with enough pride and self-confidence for three men.
“Miss.” The handsome black man said in a deep, British accent. “I am Wolfgang Straughan. Are you alright?” He held out his hand and Seth took it as he came out of the restroom.
“Seth Dragoslava. She’s a little shaken, but—”
“I’m okay.” She nudged Seth with her hip now standing beside her. “Maybe there needs to be a surveillance camera back here.” She pulled the jacket closer around her.
“I can assure you, madam, that is why I arrived with my security. I watch this area myself.” He waved a big hand over the area in a sophisticated arc.
“Why is that?” Mikhail asked.
His eyes were cold, until they landed on Simone, and then a warm gracious smile complimented his features. His words were honest. “I consider my female patrons special. I have sisters, sir, and I would want someone to look after them.” His eyes publicized his authority. They never left Simone. “Madam, is there nothing I can do to make amends for his rude behavior within my establishment?” He took her hand in an apologetic pose.
“It’s just not my week,” she confessed, shaking her head. “No, I appreciate your concern.” She turned to Mikhail. “I’m ready to go.”
~~~
They arrived at the hotel and escorted Simone to her room.
Down in the hotel bar, Seth admitted the guy seemed familiar as well.
“Gregori?”
“Yeah. His accent was too strong to be Austrian, but I didn’t want to frighten Simone with those details.”
“Maybe he’s German. Your accent’s strong too. I knew you weren’t from Austria. I think Sim noticed it too. I think it’s one of the ways she tells us apart.”
“Hmm. Well, Gregori is in my head somewhere, I just have to remember where I know him from.”
“So all this time, I’ve had a brother just across the pond.” He placed a hand on Seth’s shoulder.
“So you’re into finance, huh? I may have a couple dollars I need invested.”
“Sure. Come on by the office and I’ll get you set up.”
“That’s a big leap from military to structural engineering.”
“Depends on what you’re focused on. Different elements go into insuring the stability of a building. Seeing which buildings withstood bombings and artillery hits or earthquakes played a big part in how I construct my buildings,” he said.
“I can see that,” Mikhail replied.
“I’m surprised you didn’t follow in your father’s footsteps.”
“Never had an urge for that lifestyle. I was always into money. I read The Market when other guys read Playboy.”
“I see you made your way to the woman.” Seth nodded at the bartender and vodka showed up.
“Oh, I didn’t say I didn’t like girls. I just liked money more at the time.”
“You like it?”
“Yeah. I do well for myself. How’s the engineering gig. You like that?”
“It’s good money. Lots of travel. Meet cool people. Like the military.”
“You live in London? I never thought of moving from Austria.
“It’s not a bad place. Beautiful woman. Why are you still single?”
“I could ask you the same thing.”
“Answer my question first.”
“I wasn’t single until almost a year ago.”
“What happened?”
“She moved to Switzerland and met someone else.”
“Serious? Just moved and met someone else?”
“She was ready for a family so we just… you know… grew apart.”
“Hmm.” Seth picked up his drink and motioned toward the fireplace. They made their way over and sank into the leather club chairs.
“What about you, brother, no Mrs. Dragoslava anywhere? I got any nieces or nephews?”
He didn’t bother to open that can tonight.
He shook his head, hoping his brother would leave it alone. “Getting late. I’ll see you for breakfast.” Mikhail stood as he did and they bumped shoulders with the quick pat on the back.
“Tell Simone I said goodnight,” Mikhail said. “I will be spending the evening listening to my childhood being retold in colorful stories. All four parents in one house. Don’t forget to come save me in the morning.”
“I won’t,” Seth assured him.
“What time does Simone’s plane leave tomorrow?”
“The only flight out was late in the evening.” He pressed the button for the elevator. “See you in the morning, brother—”
“—the morning, brother.”
And they went their separate ways. Seth couldn’t get Simone off his mind. Not the fact that his parents were spending the evening with Mikhail and his parents, but that Simone would be out of his life in a matter of hours.
~~~
Seated at his parents’ kitchen counter, Mikhail watched one woman who gave birth to him look at his baby pictures with the woman who raised him. The more he watched Larissa, his birth mother, bottle her emotions after all this time, the more he wanted to find that doctor and get revenge for her. Larissa was just the way he had envisioned his biological mother. Not all Russian women aged well, but Larissa was still a beauty in her sixties. All his parents sat around the granite island while Mikhail indulged Larissa by eating the sandwich and beer she made for him.
“So, Mrs. Dragoslava.” Mikhail’s tone was kind as he spoke to the mother that gave him life, but glanced at the mom that gave him love. “You said you received communication from their attorney. How did they defend stealing babies all that time?” Leaning forward, he bit into his sandwich rinsed it down with a swig of beer. He hadn’t changed out of nightclub outfit.
“Actually his daughter sent a waiver along with fifty thousand dollars to have us not press charges. I sent both back by Overnight Express mail.” The scorn in her voice was woven with heartache. She seemed to take comfort in folding and smoothing the kitchen towel,
pressing it over and over against the counter.
Mikhail nearly choked on his beer. “A waiver!” He grabbed a napkin, wiping his mouth. “They can’t get away with that.” His deep voice spiked. His body went rigid. “They stole me from my family.” His voice vibrated with resentment as the full impact of the offer showed on his father’s face, a face much like his own.
Larissa squeezed Sergei’s hand and focused on her charm bracelet. She didn’t look at Mikhail. “I never heard my child laugh. Never heard my child cry. Never heard him say he loved me.” Her next words were tender, but anguished, and ripped at his soul. Her husband rubbed her shoulders while she reached up to caress his hand. A flush of red, mottled her face. “They stole my son.” Thirty years of remorse choked her words one by one as they passed her lips.
Anya said, “Larissa, can I get you some water?”
She sat up straight. “No, thank you.” She touched Anya’s hand across the island. Blue eyes full of love, held Mikhail’s stare. “In my heart I heard you laugh. I heard you cry. I even heard you say, ‘I love you.’”
Anya watched. A film of jealousy clouded her face. Then her hazel eyes sparkled with pride as Mikhail winked at the mother who raised him.
Larissa kissed Mikhail’s cheek and patted his hand. “You’re a good son, Mikhail. She looked at Anya and Josef. “Your parents did a wonderful job raising you.” Her voice sounded much steadier. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Thank you for caring.”
A few minutes later and they had settled into comfortable banter. They continued to discuss the attorney and the doctor.
“Is the doctor still alive?” Anya asked
Larissa poured herself another cup of coffee. “No, the doctor died over eight years ago. But the attorney is in his eighties now. His daughter’s tried to get all the families involved to sign the waivers.
