Dmitry's Closet by Nelson, S. (read people like a book .txt) 📕

the king-sized bed and rubbed her hands over face. She had to cool off. Maybe, she was just overheated. Pulling the bulky robe off, she laydown naked, feeling the room spin around her. Her eyes closed.

∞♥∞

Downstairs on the other side of the mansion, seven men sat in Dmitry’s private study, near his fireplace in leather seats and drinking out of crystal goblets. They talked over each other, nearly arguing in Russian, back in forth with one another, while Dmitry stood looking out the window and listening. When he had heard enough, he turned around and spoke quietly, calming the men with his voice and his temperate demeanor.

“This issue is no longer up for discussion,” Dmitry said quietly.

“The men sent from New York have done their part. It’s time to send them back.”

“I’m not convinced,” Dmitry argued.

“Our men can do the job better,” one man argued back. “Unfortunately, they don’t even know the routes. These other men have more control over our business thanwe do. That is absurd.”

“Your men?” Dmitry sighed. “I’m not convinced that all of your men are loyal. I know that these ten are. You need to leave here and go and check your men, clean your houses. Someone else is communicating with the police. Until I know who is, I’m going to see that these ten continue to do as they’re told.”

“Our men have always been loyal,” Vladimir, and older man of the counsel said.

“True Vladimir. Your man have. Until I am sure that all men in this camp are as loyal as the ten that are out there right now – none of your men will be allowed to know anymore about the route. It’s security for everyone. You should be thankful. It’s not like you don’t still get your cut.”

The men were quiet. Again, another person was talking to police. This had never happened in all the years that they had been in Memphis. Now, at least two incidents had happened in less than six months. They all looked around at each other suspiciously.

“There is another thing to discuss,” Vladimir continued.

Dmitry raised his eyebrow.

“We have the opportunity to move into larger invest-ments with local bank in the area. It is failing and needsnew investors. They have approached us with offer. However...”

“The key word is failing, Vladimir. We don’t want to put money into a slow sinking ship.”

“We can turn the bank around and take larger control of the business in order to launder our money better.”

Dmitry was silent for a minute.

“And they came to us with offer?” Dmitry asked cu-riously.

“With offer we cannot afford to ignore, Dmitry.”

“Ignore it,” Dmitry ordered. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. My sources have told me that the FBI is investigating four banks here. They probably pushed one of them to make offer to us in exchange for break for leniency.”

“Well, we’ve discussed the need for new revenue streams. I am just trying to find new ways.”

“And we will have our people meet with the accoun-tants to do just that, but they will not be revenue streams with holes.”

“I mean no disrespect, Dmitry,” another man said. “But you seem scared these days to take any risk that could bring the men money. Has that woman cloudedyour focus?”

The room became quiet. Dmitry looked at the man and then at Anatoly. The veins in his neck started to show. He scowled like a vicious dog. Even the tailored oxford and sweater vest, the perfect hair cut and clean shaven face could not conceal his savage instinct.

“There has only been one man in ten years who has gone to jail under my watch. How many families can say that? How many times have I protected your ass? I can’t even count anymore. You all are allowed to marry and have children. You live in lavish homes and drive luxury cars no different than my own and yet you feel as though you can question me?”

“Not all of us,” Vladimir said, pouring himself another glass of scotch.

“My focus has never been clouded, but my patience is starting to wear thin. If you get too damned comfortable talking to me, brother, I may be forced to cut out your tongue.”

The men silenced. Sensing that Dmitry was near one of his maniac-like episodes, they rested their collective case. It was settled. The men Dmitry called on to make the serge through Tennessee to secure their guns route would remain until further notice. Everyone except Ivan. The man that Dmitry wanted gone the most would be there indefinitely.

Ivan stood up with smirk and excused himself from the group. Anatoly was standing at the door, as he tried to pass.

“I need to use your restroom,” he said, reaching for the knob.

Anatoly looked over at Dmitry, who nodded to let him pass.

“It’s down the hall to the right,” Anatoly said, opening the door but still watching him carefully.

“Youknow, I’d like to have a little butt boy like you to do whatever I say one day,” Ivan said sarcastically. “How much do your services cost? Maybe I can write you check to come work for me? Take for instance now; I need someone to hold my big cock up for me in the restroom. You think you could manage that? It’s quite heavy.”

“Down the hall, to the right,” Anatoly repeated before he closed the door in Ivan’s face.

Ivan smirked and looked down the grand hallway illuminated by glass lanterns. He walked down the herringbone limestone floor, hearing his feet echo, looking at the painted wood molding over sage-colored columns and the Russian paintings.

A house fit for a king, he thought to himself as he went inside the restroom. He closed the door and waited there for a minute. Checking his nose hair in the mirror, he turned on the faucet and let the water run. Then,he peeked out of the bathroom to make sure that no one had followed him. Slyly, he stepped out of the bathroom and closed the door, making sure to leave