Eat
Angela maintained her icy demeanor as they entered the restaurant. She thought she heard the valet mumble "bitch" under his breath. She didn't care. If that's what it took to keep Dino's sad-puppy look at bay, so be it.
But when Konstantin Moroshkin greeted her at the maitre'd podium she warmed instantly, smiling broadly and giving a small curtsey.
It was either that or wretch on his shoes in fear.
The man had a false civility stretched so tightly over his thuggish natural manner it made him visibly uncomfortable, like he'd eaten the bogeyman and it was trying to birth itself through his bellybutton.
"Ahh, Heaven!"
"Call me Angela," she said sweetly. In the corner of her eye she thought she saw Dino blanch.
"As you like. You are even more fetching than your legend suggests."
Her *legend*? That was carrying it a bit far, wasn't it?
"I see you wore the dress. You honor me."
"How could I refuse?" Angela said, suppressing the urge to bolt when she felt his arm encircle her waist.
"Come, I have a private booth in the back."
The back room was long and narrow, with four semicircular booths along one wall and a half-dozen small tables along the other wall. Kostya gestured to the last booth. Right next to an emergency exit. Angela was reminded of Gerald Bates sitting in the back room of *his* restaurant. Was this kind of stuff covered in some organized crime handbook?
Kostya gestured for Angela to sit first, then followed her in; Dino slid in on the other side. Now she was trapped between them.
As casually as possible, she set her phone on the table.
Kostya immediately took umbrage. "What is that?"
"It's my cell phone," Angela replied, trying hard to be cool, only half managing it. "My friend said she might call me later." It sounded lame, but also like something one of her classmates in high school with cellphone dependency would have said.
"I am sorry, I cannot allow it."
"O-okay, I'll turn it off."
Kostya shook his head, and then snapped his fingers over his shoulder. In an intant, a tall young man in a suit appeared.
"Take Miss Angela's phone. Please let me know if there is an emergency; otherwise, take a message and inform the caller that she is at dinner and will call them back later." He smiled at Angela. "People should know not to disturb us while we are eating; but if they are not, we should not indulge their rudeness."
And with that, her phone was gone. She smiled weakly.
Miguel's not gonna be happy.
Before their drinks were served -- Angela insisted she didn't need anything, but Kostya insisted she have a glass of champagne anyway -- the door at the front of the room opened and two men stepped through. But she only really saw the first one, because he was Jacob.
The newcomers said not a word, just nodding toward Kostya and sitting down a respectful distance away at one of the middle tables -- where Angela could see them, but Dino couldn't.
Jacob looked right at her and smiled. She'd seen a smile like that before. On a hyena.
A moment later, salads appeared to distract Angela from the new neighbors. "I took the liberty of ordering for us. The chef is preparing his famous Russian Golubtsy." He leaned in close to Angela. "You know I brought him to this country just so I could have his golubtsy."
Angela dug into her salad. She didn't know what galoob-sea was, and if she didn't like it, she didn't want to go hungry. She expected the stress of the evening would make her lose her appetite, but for some reason she was hungrier than ever.
"Dino, I see Angela really likes salad. The girl knows what is good for her."
Was that some kind of comment about her weight? Or was there a second, hidden meaning?
Relax, Angela, don't be paranoid. If he was going to kill you he'd take you for a drive, not invite you to dinner. At least that's the way they always do it in the movies.
"So Dino... I am told you have trouble in your club with outside vendors."
"Kostya, I told you when I opened, I can't police that. If I find one, I have to find all of them -- otherwise it invites a different kind of attention."
"As does allowing competition. It sends the wrong kind of message, Dino."
"They're not gonna do anything. It's not like it used to be back East."
"One of them came to my club last night. They did not even have the courtesy to be subtle. Jacob here saw them -- not even in the restroom, right out at the bar!"
Dino turned around. "Jacob, what'd you do?"
"I took his shit and threw his ass out."
"That's it?"
"Wasn't worth the trouble to take it to the next level."
"Cool."
Kostya made a face. "I am telling you, this is your doing, Dino."
"Relax. Just a kid being stupid. Doesn't mean anything. If he was being that obvious, we did him and Bates a favor by throwing him out before he got busted. You watch, it won't happen again. It's small-time stuff for them, they're not going to start a war over it. And you shouldn't either."
Angela tried to contribute. "Maybe if you let him sell his stuff in your clubs, he'd let you sell your stuff in his clubs, and then you'd both make more money."
Kostya shot her an icy glare. When he saw it startled her, it softened into a patronizing smile. "Please, dear, you are so good at being beautiful, do not spoil it."
What's that supposed to mean?
That little girls should be seen and not heard.
I'm not a child.
But if they think you're paying attention they won't talk about anything... interesting.
Angela felt suddenly warm. She'd only had a few sips of her champagne, and it didn't taste very strong at all; it was actually kind of sweet.
Kostya apparently tired of talking about the challenges of running a restaurant, because he suddenly changed gears.
"How is our friend doing?"
"Which friend?"
"The one who probably still thinks he has a future in the music business."
The music business?
"He left me another demo tape this week."
Demo tape?
"And?"
"I think he's getting worse."
They must be talking about Chris Cogan.
Kostya chuckled. "Yes, well, I suppose that is good for us, yes?"
"I guess. I still have a bad feeling about him."
"You and your feelings." Angela felt a meaty hand on her knee; she suppressed a surprised squeak.
"He's not normal."
"If by that you mean he has suddenly demonstrated profound talent and ambition after years of languishing in obscurity, I would say you are right. I would also say he is not the only one who fits that description."
Clearly he meant Dino himself. Dino was not happy with the comparison. "And that's where the similarity ends. He has a viscious streak."
Angela wasn't so sure Dino didn't have such a streak himself.
Kostya frowned at the criticism. "In certain occupations that is an asset."
"He's sloppy."
"Yes, well there you two are very different. But I prefer to think of it as an abundance of enthusiasm for his work. I am sure in time he will mature. And in the mean time, it hasn't done any harm."
"No, but one mistake could put us all in jeopardy."
"You worry too much. You know I have spoken with him. He understands his responsibility, and despite what you might think, he takes it seriously."
"I've talked to him too. More than you have. I don't think he takes anything seriously."
Kostya rolled his eyes. "You see the worst in everything." His gaze settled on Angela. "Well, not *everything*." He smiled at her like a doting uncle might -- but the way his hand squeezed her leg above the knee just a little too enthusiastically suggested he might be the uncle no one talks about. Angela tried to sit up straighter to discourage him, but suddenly found his arm wrapped around her waist.
He pulled her toward him until her hip touched his. "Come, sit next to uncle Kostya. I won't bite," he said.
No, but judging from his breath against her ear, Angela thought he'd nibble if given the chance.
"Well," Kostya addressed Dino again, "is he..." Kostya paused, as if trying to remember the right word -- but not because of a language problem. "Is he collecting toys on schedule?"
Collecting toys -- a reference to the recorded conversation she'd heard? Must be.
"Ahead of schedule. Just three to go from the Japanese series, and one Gold label. There should be no problem with those; they're common enough. From the list, only the seagull is left."
Angela knew they were talking about cars, but she didn't know what a "seagull" might be. She'd have to ask Mig-... someone.
"Is there a problem getting the seagull?"
"He says he's already identified the seller. He's saving it for last."
"I thought you said we should be sure to acquire the rarest ones first."
"I did. He could have grab-... bought it two weeks ago. This is what I mean about not taking things seriously. It's a big risk that the buyer will be on guard and we might not be able to get it." Dino recognized his slip and quickly added, "for the price we want."
"Well, he is young. If it is more... expensive to acquire because he has waited, he will have learned a valuable lesson."
"And if he's waited too late?"
"Then he will have to find a way to pay for his mistake."
"You always play things too fast and loose, Kostya."
"You should not be so quick to criticize your uncle's indulgences as faults. Particularly when you yourself have benefitted from them."
Dino just grumbled; he didn't think it was the same, but he wasn't going to argue the point any more. Apparently this was not the first time they'd disagreed about Cogan.
"And none of us is without fault," Kostya added.
"Some of us have more than others. The guy spends as much time collecting tail as he does collecting toys."
"All young men do this." Then Kostya raised an eyebrow. "Well, most of them."
"Not like him. It's like he's addicted. Sometimes he picks them up while he's on the job."
"He is freelance. The job still gets done."
"It's stupid. A lot of ass means a lot of ears. And a lot of mouths. He only has to fuck up once."
"I shared your concern, Dino. I have talked to him about this also. He says when he is with these girls he is not talking." Kostya winked. "It energizes him. Surely you understand this. You are not so different, are you?"
It sounded like it should have been a rhetorical question, but the way Kostya phrased it, it wasn't.
Kostya looked at Angela. "Angela knows this about you, yes?" Again, a leading question.
Dino admonished the big Russian. "Kostya, don't be rude."
"I am only saying... you should not begrudge another man's successes."
There seemed to be more going on here, but Angela couldn't quite figure out what. It was almost as if Kostya was criticizing Dino for *not* sleeping with a lot of women, but from what she'd seen of Dino at the club, that didn't make any sense.
"There's a thin line between success and excess," Dino said.
Kostya shrugged his shoulders. "In any case, when this project is finished, you will not have to worry about him any more. If he does as well with this job as I expect, he will begin working directly for me."
Dino frowned. "This is the first I've heard of it."
"I thought you would be happy to be rid of him. Besides, this new assignment is in a field for which you have expressed great distaste."
"I'll be *happy* when he's moved on," Dino groused.
"Tsk tsk. It is better to have such a man working for you than against you. *Especially* if you think he is trouble."
Dino raised his eyebrow at that; was Kostya talking about him?
"Well, just watch him."
"I will. And it comforts me to know that you will, too."
Angela was so engrossed in following -- and trying to decode -- their conversation that she'd forgotten where Kostya's grabby hands were.
Until she felt a fingertip brush the edge of her aereola.
She clamped her arm down tightly, but the big Russian already had most of his hand slipped under the side of her dress.
Damn, how'd he do that? She'd thought it was too tight. Then she noticed the way it felt a little loose in the hips. Did it ride up? She tried to use her left hand to find the hem without letting Kostya's hand make any further inroads on her top -- and failed. His whole hand shoved its way in, shamelessly cupping her breast. Angela stole a glance toward Dino -- didn't he notice what his boss was doing?
And then her eyelids involuntarily fluttered when Kostya rubbed across her nipple.
Her shoulders shivered as she shook off her body's response to the unwanted-but-pleasant stimulation. And she felt her collar slacken against her neck. Shit! Was it undone? That would explain Kostya's easy access. But it also meant if she wasn't careful, the collar would slip all the way off and then the only thing covering her chest would be Kostya's hand. Damn if the old man didn't fight dirty... she couldn't get away from him now. She couldn't even move, unless she wanted to bare all in front of Dino -- and Jacob, sitting at the other table. He smiled cruelly; he knew what was happening. And he was no doubt looking forward to her "unveiling." Of course, he'd probably seen her topless at the club, but somehow that was different.
Angela wished she could find the courage just to shove Kostya's hand away, and let the dress fall where it may -- but the way Dino just sat there acting like nothing was going on... it was like he was *letting* Kostya do this to her. And if she rejected his boss, it would be like rejecting him. As angry as it might make her, and as justified as she'd feel getting up and walking out on all of them with her head held high, she knew that would torpedo any chance of getting Dino's MP3 player, or finding anything out from him or Kostya. And if anything, Kostya's bold-yet-casual groping only made her want to see him behind bars that much more.
So she took a deep breath -- halting when she felt her collar slip just a bit around her neck -- and resolved to let Kostya have his fun.
As for Dino, well... if he let this happen, he obviously didn't care. And anyway, if his boss took an interest in her, she didn't need him.
Through gritted teeth, she did her best to let out a sexy sigh.
And as Kostya stepped up his fondling, and Dino suddenly seemed to find the table centerpiece fascinating, Angela felt the warm stirrings of her sapphires.
For once, their fading might actually make her mission easier...
Kostya cut Dino off. "Not that I don't like hearing about how well the club is doing, but... tell me about the other thing before the wine goes to my head. Have you worked out the details of delivery?"
"Delivery of the collectibles is arranged. The McGuffin will be docked at one of the north piers. Their agent will be able to see them as they're loaded for shipment from the point of exchange. Then they'll hand me the check, and I'll see that it goes into the right account."
"Will Chris be there?"
"Do you think that's a good idea?"
"I think he should experience as much of it as possible."
"If I didn't know better I'd think you were grooming him to replace me."
"Don't be paranoid. He lacks your... focus." Kostya nodded with satisfaction at his choice of word. "And no one has shown such an unerring ability to read a situation and keep his head as you. You know my philosophy, Dino."
"Each man has his place."
"And each woman."
Angela couldn't hear if either of them said anything more; she was too focused on the hand that had somehow found its way up her skirt and started tickling the bare skin above her stocking tops. If Kostya didn't stop that, she wasn't going to be able to breathe...
Angela struggled to concentrate on the conversation, but could do little more than nod blankly when she thought she'd been asked a question.
She looked at her host and smiled. Konstantin Moroshkin might not have been attractive in the traditional sense, but through her half-lidded eyes and thick lashes, she found him quite handsome in his own way.
And God, he sure knew where all of her hot spots were... though by now she was so far gone that her whole body was one big hot spot.
A tiny voice in the back of her head warned her not to get so carried away -- the men she was with were probably saying stuff that was important -- but she could just ask them about whatever later.
Right now she didn't want to do anything that would distract her from the wonderful tingling she was feeling all over. This wasn't like the night she'd spent with Dino -- that was fun but so exhausting, and like a test she forgot to study for. This was much lazier. She didn't really have to do anything; the hands on her kept everything humming along nicely. Not really pushing her toward climax, but that was okay; this feeling was really good *right* *here* . . .
The fingers between her legs pulled away; Angela frowned. "Don't stop," she whispered in Kostya's ear. Then she realized what was happening; he was getting her panties out of the way. She lifted her hips. She thought about doing it subtly so Dino wouldn't notice, but why? He only looked at her every once in a while, and only at her eyes to see if she was looking at him; she never caught him looking at her body, so if he even noticed he obviously didn't care. So she just stood up halfway in the booth, feeling freedom as her underwear slid down her hips and thights. Then she felt those magic fingers again, only this time there wasn't anything in the way.
Ohhh, yes. That's *much* better.
Angela frowned. Kostya was still saying stuff, but Dino was just sitting there. Kostya was telling them some story about the old country or something. Apparently Dino had heard this one a bunch of times before. Oh well; this dinner was more for Angela and Kostya anyway. The story seemed to involve Kostya's nephew too, because every once in a while he'd say something from the other table. She remembered he'd tried to do stuff to her once, but he'd been pushy, and she didn't like pushy.
She was starting to get frustrated. What Kostya was doing felt really good, but she wanted him to get on with it already. She needed him to... finish her. It was like all he wanted to do was fool around a little. Didn't he like her?
Her hand found his lap. Yeah, he liked her, but not as much as she liked him. Maybe she could convince him.
Angela's brow furrowed. Where was the zipper?
Just when she thought she'd found it, his hand pulled hers away. She thought she heard herself whimper.
It's not fair!
She wondered what sex with Kostya would be like. She crinkled her nose at the thought. She'd never done it with a guy as fat as Kostya before. He wasn't grossly fat or anything, but still, he was a lot bigger than her. She'd have to be on top. Too bad the table was too close to the booth; did it move? She tried to give it a shove, but Kostya told her to stop. Even Dino grabbed a hand and put it in her lap. Good idea... but somebody else took her hand away from there. Party pooper!
Someone put another glass in her hand. "I don't drink," she managed. But someone guided the glass up to her lips. It was kinda bubbly, like sodapop. She took a taste. Weird, it was wet, but it wasn't. Kinda sweet, kinda not. Hadn't she already had some? Someone said "bottoms up!" If everyone else was drinking it, she should too... she got a whole mouthful down before the burn in her nose made her stop. Ow! She coughed a little, hoping they weren't mad at her. She couldn't help it if she didn't like it... but they just smiled and told her that was probably enough anyway.
Mmmm... maybe she didn't need to finish after all. She was so sleepy! Kostya's voice was so even and smooth and relaxing, and the fingers touching her secret place were just kind of stroking gently up and down, like rocking her to sleep . . .
Angela felt hands behind her neck. Refastening the button of her collar.
The realization that she might very well have been topless before these men made her blush. Why was she suddenly so modest? She'd exposed much more, to more men whom she'd known less well. Why was this different?
Because here, she wasn't the one in control.
"Angela, it's time to go." Dino, at the edge of the booth, tugging her arm to follow him.
"Huh? Oh, okay," she said in a sleepy little girl voice.
It was when she felt something binding her ankles together that she woke up sharply. She'd lost her panties.
There was no way she could recover them without it being obvious. So, she carefully lifted and shook one foot and then the other. She tried not to blush at the feel of the soft fabric sliding off her toes. She'd never gone without panties before, except when she'd lost them as Sapphire. Actually, this wasn't much different.
Before she stood up, Angela wondered whether there was a wet spot on the back of her dress. Not that she had any way to hide it. Then as she scooted across the seat and felt warm wet vinyl give way to cool dry vinyl, she realized that she had gotten very wet down there -- and that her dress had been hiked up too high for it to matter.
"Thank you, Kostya. As always, it has been a pleasure." The tautness in his voice said it wasn't.
Angela felt Dino's hand in the small of her back, guiding her toward the exit.
No, not guiding. Pushing.