He grasps it warmly. “It is good to see you again, Rytsar Durov.”
I give him a half-grin. “I apologize. I remember you, but I’m embarrassed to say I’ve forgotten your name.”
He bows his head slightly. “Ren Nosaka.”
“That’s right.” I shake his hand more vigorously. “It appears you took my advice and reached out to the Center.”
He smiles. “Yes. I am grateful you gave me that card. It proved exceedingly valuable.”
“As was your advice to me.”
“If memory serves me right, I owe you a lunch.”
“You owe me nothing,” I assure him. “Watching you this evening is payment enough.”
“Would you have tea with me then, after I clean up?”
“Da. I’d like that.”
While Nosaka bundles up the jute, he asks, “Have your troubles eased?”
I snort in laughter. “No, they continue to surprise me.”
“I am sorry to hear that.”
Not interested in focusing on my own troubles, I ask him, “How have things gone for you?”
His easy smile says it all. “I work a day job and teach a Kinbaku class for beginners here at night. I have also been asked to participate in their Submissive Training Program.”
I raise my eyebrows. “As an instructor?”
He shakes his head, chuckling. “No, simply in practicums with some of their students. I’ve been given the privilege of introducing new submissives to the power of jute. What brings you here?”
“I have a friend taking the Dominant course.”
Ren stops bundling his rope and asks with interest, “What’s his name?”
“Thane Davis.”
He smiles. “I know Sir Davis.”
“I was just wandering the hall, waiting for his class to end, when Marquis Gray suggested I come observe you.”
“I’m glad he did.” Nosaka places the bundles of jute inside his tool bag and rolls up his mat. “Let’s have that tea.”
He leads me down the hall to a large lounge.
While he fixes the tea, I sit at one of the tables in silence, appreciating the peaceful mood his scene has inspired.
He joins me and places a steaming cup in front of me.
I enjoy the comfortable silence between us while I enjoy the subtle flavor of the green tea.
Nosaka places his cup down quietly and asks, “Tell me what brought you here.”
I chuckle. “I already told you. I tagged along with Thane.”
He sweeps his long bangs back and smiles. “I mean—what brought you back to LA?”
“More trouble,” I grunt, thinking back on it. “But it’s nothing I can’t handle, just needed to take a break from it.”
He nods, holding my gaze.
We go back to sipping our tea in silence.
For some reason, the girls come to mind and I unconsciously frown.
“What’s wrong?”
I shake my head. “Nothing. Just thinking about people I had to leave behind.”
I take several sips of the tea, swallowing down the sudden wave of sadness that washes over me.
After several minutes, I find I can’t shake it. I down the rest of the tea so I can leave.
But Nosaka immediately refills it.
“I’ve got to go,” I explain.
“Just one more cup.”
I sigh, but reluctantly decide to stay.
“Tell me something…anything,” I command, not wanting to sit inside my own head.
“You grieve for someone.”
I close my eyes. I regret asking the question.
To Nosaka’s credit, he says nothing more.
I look down at the tea, losing myself in my thoughts.
I feel as if I am standing on a precipice.
“I’m going to miss them…” I mutter under my breath as I take a sip.
Nosaka looks at me with compassion, but I’m not sure I appreciate it.
“Anyway…” I say dismissively.
He surprises me when he says, “You seem scared of something.”
I snarl, “I’m not scared of anything or anyone!”
Nosaka says nothing, but does not shrink from my anger.
The more I think about his words, the madder it makes me. I would take on the world if I had to…
“I’m pissed, Nosaka. I’m mad that the one thing that gave me purpose—the one thing I was proud of—has been ripped from me.”
My burning rage abruptly changes to profound sadness when I see Tatianna’s smiling face. The vision breaks me inside.
I’ve failed her again…
I didn’t realize until now how much the facility meant to me. It gave me the ability to bring hope to a desperate situation. But, even more than that, it provided a living connection to Tatianna.
I am lost without it.
I give Nosaka a sidelong glance and confess, “I don’t know where I go from here.”
He looks at me with understanding. “The beauty of life is there are many paths that lead to the same goal. Choose the path that brings you peace.”
I let out a tortured sigh. “I don’t know what that is.”
He smiles confidently. “You will.”
Sparrow Hills
Just days before the new year, I get the text from Titov that I have been waiting for.
I hope you are well, gospodin.
His message lets me know the hit is complete.
I feel a sense of justice knowing Zuyev’s reign of terror is over. I scan the Russian news and am pleased to see his death splashed everywhere. An unidentified gunman fired three shots from a sniper gun at Zuyev near a restaurant in the Lyubertsy District. Zuyev was hit twice in the groin and once in the jaw. Witnesses stated it was a gory scene as he bled out outside the restaurant before paramedics could arrive.
We purposely planned the hit to take place near a common hangout for Marat Semenov’s men so it will arouse suspicion.
Within days, the different factions start pointing fingers at each other, including Marat himself. With so much money at stake in the human trade, the Bratva immediately turns on itself.
I sit back, gratified to witness the chaos I have created.
Although death does not excite me, the preservation of life does. While the warring factions distract themselves with infighting, the task force will continue its raids. Little by little, we will break them.
“What’s up with you?” Thane asks, biting into an apple as he looks out at the ocean. “You seem distracted.”
I smile at him. “Things seem to be turning around for me, moy droog.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I think I will be able to return home without having to face reporters.
He sets down his apple, looking at me in surprise. “What’s changed?”
My smile grows wider. “There is unrest within the Bratva.”
“That is a good thing.”
“It certainly is, comrade.”
“I have to say, I will hate to see you go. You always make life more interesting.”
“It’s my God-given talent.”
Thane nods, chuckling. “Any idea what you’ll do once you get back home?”
I frown, feeling troubled when I tell him the truth. “I have no idea, moy droog.”