Page 7 of Andrei's Solnyshko
She leads me through the house and I take it all in. It’s its own private resort. Even the sixteen foot coffered ceilings are remarkable. I’m beyond surprised that this house represents Andrei’s style. The gold leaf is gone, and it’s bright and airy with shiny, white marble flooring. The furniture is large and made of soft tan leather. Every shade of blue accents the décor, while colorful art hangs on the walls. We pass a window looking into the backyard and I see two pools, multiple spas and I can’t even count the waterfalls. There’s even a bridge. A bridge!
Roza points down a winding staircase and says, “The wellness wing is that way.”
“Wellness wing?”
“Spa, massage, steam, sauna, and gym.”
We pass a large kitchen and she says, “Chef is on the property twenty-four-seven. Just use the intercom and someone will take your order. Whatever your heart desires.’
“How many bedrooms are there?”
“Five bedrooms with their own bathrooms and five more bathrooms throughout the home.”
We pass an elevator and she says, “Elevator will take you to the bar, theater and game room. You can reach the cave wine cellar by exiting the game room.”
“It’s outside?”
“Of course. There’s a tasting room and wide selection of wines.”
I laugh for the first time today. “What doesn’t this place have?”
She says matter-of-factly, “Love,” and continues her tour without skipping a beat, “There are two offices upstairs and a private golf course beyond the pool area. I believe I saw one ofthe boys bring in your luggage, so if you want to unpack I’ll show you to the room.”
Boys? Did she just call Sokolov’s entourage boys?
“I think I’ll need a map to find my way around.”
She chuckles and opens the door to a huge room, and I can tell by the silk robe laying across a black upholstered chair that it’s Andrei’s room. “I don’t think this is my room.”
She ignores me. “I’ll leave you to it.” She turns to leave, but stops and says, “Welcome, Summer.”
She knows my name, too? How long was Andrei planning this, and how did he know he would succeed? Because he’s him, that’s why.
I kick off my heels and my feet welcome the plush carpet. The bedroom is bigger than my old apartment. I laugh because Carlos thought his house was over the top but it doesn’t even come close to this. Nothing compares. The bed must be custom-made due to the sheer size of it, and it dominates the massive room. The bedding finally reflects the stereotypical Russian mobster, covered with leopard printed fur-like bedding. I hope it isn’t real. The sheets are black silk with gold trim and above the bed is where I finally find the gold. A mirror, the size of the bed and framed in gold leaf, is on the ceiling. And on the wall, across from the bed, is another large gold leafed mirror. The man must love seeing his amazing body while he fucks. Who could blame him.
I open the pocket doors to a spa bathroom. The oversize soaking tub sits on its own pedestal surrounded by you’ll never guess it. That’s right, gold leafed mirrors. The six person shower has so many nozzles and heads I’ll surely need a manual to figure it out.
I return to the room and take in the large fireplace and seating area with two black upholstered chairs. There is a black shiny bar in the corner next to a single door. I try to open it, but it’s locked.
I walk onto the balcony that’s so large it has its own plunge pool. I lean on the ledge and take a deep breath as the sun makes it’s descent. Even with all of the guards, the view of the property is unreal. All of this is unreal. A few hours ago I was in a casino with Carlos, and now I’m in a palace with a deadly Bratva Boss. I’m a prisoner in a gilded cage. Sure it looks like a castle but cages come in many forms.
I’m terrified but not the same type of terror I lived in with Carlos. I was terrified he’d kill me. Here, with Andrei, a known killer, I’m scared he’ll care for me. Is he capable or does he just want me to fuck? He could have any woman, it’s not like he needs to pay for sex. And if he did, it wouldn’t cost him twelve million dollars.
If I think about it too much I’ll probably jump over this balcony. Is my life ideal right now? Far from it. But it wasn’t ideal before. At least the view is better.
I’m interrupted by the deep dark voice of my captor, “Come here.” He sets his gun on a dresser and looks at me with a warning.
He sits on the edge of the bed. His blood stained dress shirt has been replaced with a perfectly snug black T-shirt, and instead of his tailored dress pants he’s wearing dark wash denim jeans. I could see a hint of tattoos under his dress shirt but now they are out in the open, and I’m mesmerized by them. Flowers intertwined with skulls and snakes. An angel with a tilted halo kneeling at the feet of the devil. A thorny vine wraps around a Greek-like goddess and extends around his neck. His tattoos arecomplicated and dark, yet beautiful. The art may blanket his skin but it is an opening into the man’s soul.
His eyes pierce into mine. “I won’t ask again.”
I swallow my nerves and walk to him. His heated eyes linger over every inch of my body making me shiver with anticipation.
“Take off the dress.”
I hesitate and he barks, “It’s hardly covering you, no reason to suddenly turn shy now.”
I scoff. “You think this is what I would wear if I had a choice? This was Carlos’s doing.”