Russian Mafia Billionaire’s Secretary

by Lee, Leona

  Nodding his head, “Sort of. It’s a blini, which is a Russian pancake, of sorts. It is delicious with the fish. Try it,” he coaxed.

  Placing a bit of crème fraiche on the blini, he placed a piece of lox on top followed by a slice of jalapeno. “Taste,” he told her as he held it to her mouth.

  Leaning forward, Alanna took a bite, as her eyes lit up in appreciation. “Good?” At her nod, he gestured to the wine. “Try the wine again.”

  Picking up the glass, she took a small sip. “Oh, that’s much better,” she confessed, as he laughed. “Where did you learn all this? Russia?”

  Shaking his head, he turned back to the stove as he stirred at the contents of a pot. “Nyet, Amelia. When we came to New York, we were both very young. I had just finished college and she had yet to start. She wanted to take some English classes before she started at the university, but she was very shy at the time. So she started with cooking classes. She is quite the…what do you call them…foodie. I learned from her,” he answered proudly.

  Alanna stared at him deeply impressed and a bit embarrassed. In all the years she’s lived in the city, she never thought to take any enrichment classes. Rich smells broke her out of her reverie, as he prepared a dish that started to smell like heaven. She studied his confident movements as he easily moved around the kitchen.

  “Let’s get you to the dining room so you can have a seat, sweet Alanna,” he told her as he picked up the wine bottle and the lox plate. “If you would be so kind as to bring our glasses,” he asked as she picked up the glasses and followed him to the dining room.

  Setting everything down at the table, he pulled her chair out. “Relax. I won’t be long.” She sat down on the chair and reached for more of the lox, stacking it onto the blini the way he did. While she knew that the jalapeno was not Russian, it definitely gave the appetizer a bit of extra bite that she found delicious. Sipping her wine, she looked around at the overly long table that looked as though it was carved from a single tree.

  Leaning back in her chair, she looked out at the lights of the city, marveling at what it would be like to live here fulltime. She didn’t think she’d ever get tired of the view.

  Moments later, he returned with their plates filled with what looked to be some sort of a chunky fish stew. Setting her plate down in front of her, he sat down opposite her, grabbed his own glass, took a giant gulp and raised it high in the air.

  “To you, beautiful princess,” he toasted as he studied her intently.

  She raised her glass and took a drink when he did. Alanna placed the glass on the table and forked a piece of the white fish into her mouth. She closed her eyes as she savored the buttery taste.

  “Wow, this is delicious. I wish I could cook this well,” she confessed as she skewered another piece.

  “My sister was insistent that I learn. It turned into a bit of a competition as we both vied to see who would do better.”

  Laughing, “Oh, and who won?” she questioned.

  “Sadly, my sister is the better cook,” he answered solemnly but his eyes seemed to twinkle, as he spoke indicating how proud he was of her.

  Alanna looked at him in surprise. “Amelia can do better than this?” She was starting to feel inadequate.

  Shrugging his shoulders, “Well, we do have our specialties. Personally, I think I make this better and she would have never put pepper on her lox.”

  His response made Alanna laugh. Even in the kitchen, he had to be the best.

  As they ate, they made small talk, sharing stories about their lives, growing up in different parts of the world. Alanna was pleased that he asked about Roman and that he seemed genuinely interested in her son. After a lull in the conversation, Alexander changed the subject.

  “I want to talk to you about the future of the business,” he started as he set his fork down on his plate. Her eyes grew wider as she wondered at the shift to business.

  “Okay,” she said in response as she looked to him to continue.

  “I want to expand Denisov International and I would like you to play an integral role in the business, Alanna.”

  “And here I thought you only kept me around for the wild sex,” she teased him. She blushed, but hoped that her statement had some ring of truth.

  “And just what’s wrong with having sex with such a beautiful woman?” he questioned her, putting her on the spot. She hadn’t expected him to turn her words against her, but was glad that he wanted her in the same way she wanted him.

  Alanna’s face reddened and she felt her heart race. She bit her bottom lip as memories of their trip to Florida replayed in her mind.

  He grinned widely at her and she wondered if he was thinking the same thing. “Can he read my mind?” she thought as she pictured him in the shower with her.

  They finished eating and he stood to take her plate to the kitchen. While he was gone, she poured more wine in her glass and downed the whole thing hoping it provided her with some liquid courage. She didn’t know why she was suddenly so nervous around him.

  Alanna hadn’t heard Alexander return to the dining room until she felt his presence behind her. She allowed him to turn her in the chair, as he tugged her to her feet. Taking her hand, they walked into the living room and he sat her down on his over-sized couch.

  Walking over to the fireplace, he poked at the flames, which had greatly reduced. As he turned, Alanna wondered why there was a red laser light on him. It seemed to be coming from outside, as she tried to see out onto the darkened balcony. Alexander hadn’t noticed it yet and she was about to say something when there was a simultaneous crash at the front door and balcony door. They both turned to see men dressed in black body armor come storming in and point guns at them.

  Alanna’s mouth fell open as she stared at the scene unfolding in front of her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Alanna watched horrified as Alexander was handcuffed and escorted quickly from the room. Feeling paralyzed, she watched helplessly as men moved from room to room, shouting “clear” each time.

  “Were there only the two of you here tonight?” an officer asked her. She stared into blank space for a moment before she was able to answer him.

  “Yes,” she said quietly. Her heart felt like it wanted to beat out of her chest. She had no idea what Alexander could’ve done that necessitated the use of so many police officers. Her face felt flushed as she sat there in disbelief.

  “Ma’am?” the one officer asked as he tried desperately to snap Alanna back to reality. “Can you hear me?”

  He waved his hand in front of her face to draw her attention. She faintly heard him as he mumbled but couldn’t make out what he said. She shook her head side to side and focused on the tall, older man who had intruded into her evening.

  “Yes, I’m sorry, what?” she asked as she realized that this wasn’t all some sick, twisted joke.

  “My name is Officer Cruz, what’s your name?” he asked her again, perturbed.

  “Alanna,” she muttered. “Alanna Vella.”

  “Ms. Vella, what is your affiliation with Alexander Denisov?” he questioned her as he took the chair another officer handed him and sat down close to her.

  “I work for him; he’s my boss,” she said as the uncertainty of the situation caused her to panic internally.

  “He’s your boss?” Officer Cruz reiterated. He looked her up and down, taking in her overly short, lace dress.

  Wrapping her arms around herself, she looked at him. “Yes,” she answered as she calmed herself down. She closed her eyes and relived the moment Alexander was being dragged away in cuffs.

  “What do you do for Mr. Denisov?” the officer interrupted her thoughts. She didn’t like the tone of his voice.

  “I’m his executive assistant at Denisov International.”

  “What can you tell me about Mr. Denisov’s business affairs?” he asked her as she stared off into space.

  “He hired me to maintain his schedule, coordinate meetings, prepare documen
ts and complete tasks related to the office. I also answer the phone and deal with the clients when he isn’t around.”

  “What about his business affairs outside of work?”

  Shaking her head, “I don’t know what you’re referring to. This is the first time we’ve met outside the office.” She wasn’t about to mention Miami.

  “You can’t tell me that you’ve worked in close proximity to the man and you don’t know about his business dealings,” he ranted in disbelief.

  “I don’t know what you want me to say,” she cowered.

  “How about starting with the truth,” he badgered her. She looked down and thought back to how she answered his job ad. She was well qualified to work in her capacity as an executive secretary and assistant. Falling for him hadn’t been in the cards.

  “I am telling you the truth, I don’t know about his business dealings,” she reiterated.

  “Do you sleep with all of your bosses or just the billionaires with criminal enterprises?” he hounded.

  “I’m sorry?” she asked him, appalled at the suggestion. “Should I have a lawyer?”

  “You know what I think? I think you’re covering for him,” he answered arrogantly, ignoring her question. “I think he knew you’d be so impressed by his wealth that you’d keep quiet for him.”

  “No, that’s not true,” she said in a louder voice.

  Another officer approached Officer Cruz and whispered into his ear, but he never stopped staring into her eyes as he searched for answers.

  “Sit tight and wait here, we have someone from the FBI en route to talk to you.” She sat there, but still felt worried about everything that went down.

  “Why is the FBI involved?” she asked herself quietly. “What is going on here?”

  Twenty minutes later, a younger man with a square jaw and light brown hair entered the room. He briefly spoke to the officers, but as he moved toward Alanna, the officers left the room. He sat down in the chair that Officer Cruz vacated and smiled, disarming her. It immediately reminded her of Alexander and his charms.

  “Do I need a lawyer?” she repeated as he sat down and made eye contact.

  “My questions won’t take long, but you’re welcome to contact your lawyer if you’d like,” he told her matter-of-factly. “But it would only delay things as that would require having to shift to a more formal setting at the police station, which could take hours.” She studied the man and wondered what his end game was.

  “You’re not in any trouble, Ms. Vella. I just want to talk to you,” he assured her.

  She sighed loudly. “Agent Arthur Franklin with the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” he said aloud as he introduced himself.

  “Alanna Vella,” she told him, but looked down, as it was information he already knew.

  “Here’s what’s going to happen, Alanna. I’m going to ask you a few questions and then I’ll take your official statement,” he advised her. He placed a folder on the table and opened it.

  “Okay,” she agreed.

  “I have to record the conversation, but when we’re all done, you can sign your sworn statement and then you’re free to go with the warning not to leave the state without first checking with us,” he uttered as she listened intently.

  She nodded to show him that she understood his words. He hit a button on a recording device that he pulled from his inner pocket. His tone was professional and no-nonsense. She’d never dealt with the FBI before but in watching everything that was going on, she felt like she was on some sort of television show rather than real life.

  “Please state your name for the record,” he told her.

  “Alanna Vella.”

  “And your occupation,” he said.

  “Executive assistant to Alexander Denisov at Denisov International,” she said in response.

  “What do you know about Alexander Denisov?” he asked her.

  “Alexander Denisov is the CEO of Denisov International. He’s originally from Russia. Thirty. Has a sister.” Alanna wasn’t sure what he wanted her to say.

  “Do you have any knowledge of any criminal activities that Alexander Denisov has been involved with?”

  “Criminal activities? No!” she answered adamantly. He placed his ink pen flatly on the table and studied her face.

  “Alexander Denisov is a very dangerous man.”

  “What are you talking about? He owns a shipping business.”

  “Which has heavy dealings in stolen merchandise, drug trafficking, money laundering. Do you have any idea who you’ve been sharing a bed with?”

  “That’s none of your business!” she shot back, as she blushed.

  “It IS my business, Ms. Vella. You two aren’t married. Therefore, you could be compelled to be a witness for the D.A. when we take him to court.”

  “Wait, what?” Alanna’s head was rapidly spinning and she felt as though she was going to faint. Or throw up. Possibly both. She leaned forward, as she waited for the queasiness to subside, but it wasn’t stopping as she massaged her temples.

  Agent Franklin continued, “You need to understand that Alexander Denisov is not who you think he is. He’s an integral member of the Russian mafia.”

  She stifled back a laugh at his suggestion, but he didn’t appear to be amused in the slightest. At first, she hadn’t been sure she heard him correctly. She stared at him, willing him to crack a smile and tell her it was all a joke. That this was some elaborate gag and there were cameras hidden around the room.

  “The Russian mafia…in New York City?” she questioned him. “Really?”

  She stared at him in disbelief.

  “Mr. Denisov is a very dangerous man who will be going to federal prison for a very long time,” he informed her, unmoved by her reaction.

  “A dangerous criminal?” she asked him as she repeated his words.

  “Alexander Denisov has been involved in a series of crimes involving his international drug trade and money laundering,” he went on as he shuffled some paperwork in his folder.

  “Is this some kind of sick joke?” she questioned him.

  “This is serious, Ms. Vella. What can you tell me about his business dealings?” Agent Franklin asked her as he picked up his pen from the table.

  “I already told the other officer what I do for him. I don’t know anything about these other business dealings you keep hinting at,” she told him.

  He stopped writing and slammed the pen on the table in anger. From the look on his face, he hadn’t believed a word she said and was convinced that she was covering for him. He exhaled deeply and pulled out several photographs from the folder and slid them over in front of Alanna.

  “What’s all this?” she asked him as she studied the pictures. One was of Alexander standing on the docks appearing to yell at someone. Another showed him shaking hands with a man she didn’t recognize him.

  “This is your boyfriend dealing in shipments of drugs using Denisov International as a cover,” Agent Franklin noted. She picked up each of the pictures and looked at them closely.

  As she studied the photos, something about them didn’t seem quite right. While there wasn’t anything obviously criminal about them, Alexander didn’t look himself. “Maybe he knew he was being photographed,” she thought to herself as she looked at them.

  No matter what, someone had clearly gone to considerable trouble to take the pictures, but they didn’t incriminate Alexander in the slightest. She shook her head at the images as she placed them back where Agent Franklin had them.

  “These photos don’t show anything of the sort,” she shot back.

  He stood up and paced the floor in front of the dining room table.

  “We have all of his bank statements and we know that he spends millions of dollars a month on his international drug trade,” he told her coldly as she watched him pace. “He’s a very clever man when it comes to covering his tracks.”

  “Am I supposed to believe that he’s some kind of international drug kingpin?” she qu
estioned him. “Besides, if he’s as clever as you say, how is it you were able to figure it out from his bank statements? This sounds more like a fishing expedition than the truth.”

  None of it made any sense to her. She’d been through the contracts and shipping manifests, there was nothing out of the ordinary, let alone anything to do with drugs.

  “Make no mistake, Alexander Denisov is a very dangerous man,” he told her point-blank as he stopped pacing in front of her. “He’s been funneling drugs into the country since 2012.”

  A tear escaped her eye as she studied the photos, trying to make sense of them.

  “I can’t believe this is happening,” she said as a flood of tears rolled down her cheeks.

  “I understand that this all must be overwhelming,” he sympathized. “But if you don’t offer your full cooperation, Denisov will be back out on the streets in no time. You don’t want that on your head.”

  She sat there staring blankly at the fireplace. She nodded in response, but wasn’t sure how she felt about the whole situation. How could he have kept such a big secret hidden away from her? Was the entire company involved? Did others know what was going on? She flashed on Anastasia doing drugs in the bathroom in Miami. Did Alexander know?

  Agent Franklin took a piece of paper from his folder and pushed it in front of her. He placed the pen on top of the paper and looked up to where their eyes met.

  “Please write out your official statement for the record and sign and date it at the bottom,” he instructed her.

  As she wrote her statement on the paper provided, he placed his hand on her arm and stopped her.

  “You should know before you continue that it is a felony to make a false statement to the FBI,” he advised her.

  “I’ve no intention of doing anything of the sort, Agent Franklin, and kindly remove your hand,” she declared. She continued writing her statement as he watched her closely. She scribbled her signature on the bottom of the document along with the date and slid the paper back to him with his pen. She’d had enough and just wanted to go home.

  He took the document and looked it over and when finished, “Will this be your official statement?” he asked her, exasperated.