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

going on. We just came here to tell you what the rumors were and to make sure that you had no hand in this.” Both Agosto and Sorrello looked down at Dmitry.

“I assure you that I’ve had no hand in this. What do I owe you gentlemen for such a kind gesture?” Dmitry asked, hands crossed and eyes focused. His voice barely rose.

“Nothing at all. Consider it a gift,” Agosto said, putting his coat back on.

“I will remember this favor,” Dmitry said, trying to control the fire coming from under his collar.

The two men left as quickly as they had come, passing a black man in a nice business suit, whom they were sure was Omar Jackson, arriving for his meeting with Dmitry. After they entered back into the hotel lobby, Sorrello looked back to make sure that no one was following them.

“That is one magnificently cold-hearted bastard up close,” Sorrello said,checking his cigarette patch to make sure that it was still on his arm. Suddenly, he was craving a cigarette.

“It’s the eyes. They don’t even look like their supposed to be on a human.”

“Cause he’s not human. So, what do you suppose he’s thinking?”

“Are you kidding? He wants to kill his brother. Put that tail on him now. He doesn’t even care that we’re following him. He’s going straight to Ivan after he finishes with Omar,” Agosto said, sure of himself.

“He didn’t flinch once.”

“Cause he knows that we don’t have shit,” Agosto said, hitting the alarm for his car. “It’s a shame. All of this work, for all of these years, and we still have nothing.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Me either. He’s one of the best.”

“If not the best…”

“Dmitry has run this whole operation without so much as one hiccup for years, but we may have hope now because of his black sheep brother Ivan. As soon as he showed up, shit went south. I just know that he’s going to teach him a lesson, though. He knows that we’ll barely have a case with these prostitutes, but now, if Ivan slips and gives us something on the gun trafficking,we’ll have a stone clad case against the entire organization.”

Sorrello spat on the ground. “Fucking Vory.”

Chapter 15

Black Friday had been a hit for Dmitry’s Closet. Royal, Renée and Cory nearly emptied their summer collection as well as their clearance fall items. The boutique had been crowded since it opened early that morning and had kept a constant flow of traffic the entire day. Now, as the night settled in, Cory escorted the last customer to her car while Royal counted down the drawer. Suddenly, the phone rang. Renée answered, listened to the caller and quickly brought the phone over to Royal.

“Who is it,” Royal asked, trying not to lose count of the large wad of money in her hand.

“Dmitry,” Renée answered, putting the phone to Roy-al’s ear.

“Hello,” Royal said, putting the money down.

“I’ll be late coming home,” Dmitry said,shifting gears in his car. “I’ve got couple of more things to handle.”

“Okay, baby.” Royal could sense trouble in his voice. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Dmitry said quickly.

“Are you sure?”

“Dah,” Dmitry said, focused on the streets as drove quickly down the winding back path of Main Street to his brother’s house.

“Okay,” Royal sighed. “I’ll see you later then.”

“Is everything cool?” Renée asked, as Royal hung up the phone.

“Yeah. He’s just busy.” She looked up as Cory walked back in the front door. “Lock the door,” she ordered as she picked up the money again. “I have to hurry up with this. Anatoly will be here in a minute to pick it up.”

“Man, we made a killing,” Renée said, astonished at the huge wad of money.

“I know, girl. This is only one handful. I’ve got a ton of credit card receipts, checks…everything.”

“Anatoly isn’t here yet?” Cory asked, looking for Royal’s bodyguard.

“He just called and said that he was on his way.” Royal said, counting the money out. “Give me a minute. I just need to make sure that this is right.” She counted out the money quickly and bagged it with the receipt. “Damn, that is the most we’ve made since we opened.”

Just then Anatoly came in the back door in a black suit. Everyone watched on amazed. All anyone had ever seen Anatoly wearwere jeans and t-shirts. Never a suit. Now, he looked a lot like his father.

Cory looked at him suspiciously as Anatoly passed him. He made his way to the cash register with Royal and walked behind the counter.

“You look nice,” she said smiling. “What’s the occa-sion?” She held the bag of money in her hand.

“No occasion.” He reached for the bag.

“Bullshit.” Royal pulled the bag away. “What gives?”

Anatoly reached over without a smile and scowled at Royal. “Give me bag, woman.”

“Tell me what gives,” Royal smiled. “You look like a million bucks. I wish that Dmitry could see this. He’d be so proud.”

“Spasiba,” he said, growling. “Now, give me bag.”

“Oh, alright,” Royal said,finally giving in. He took the bag carefully out of her hand and smiled at little at her. “You really think it looks nice.”

“I think you look dreamy,” Royal said smiling. “Really.”

Remembering himself, Anatoly cleared his voice. “I have to go. Make sure that someone escorts you to car.”

“I will. I know the drill,” Royal said,waving as he walked off.

“He cleans up good,” Renée said,watching him walk away. “I never realized how buff he is.”

“I know, right.” Cory said, chiming in. “Too bad he’s not swinging for the other team.”

“You never know,” Renée added.

“So, do you want to try on the new stuff that just came in from Milan?” Royal said, quickly changing the subject. It made her incredibly uncomfortable for the two of them to talk about Anatoly. For some reason, she was very protective of him, even though she was sure that he could take care of himself.

“Oh, girl. I almost forgot.” Renée said, grabbing her purse. “Let’s go.”

“I’ve got some stuff in the back. Let’s close up shop here and