Lost and Found: A Mafia Romance, page 6
Though he didn't look it, Mikhail was slightly nervous. After debating for nearly an hour, he arrived late, missing the first two performances. Thankfully Misha's performance was saved until the end, they saved the strongest player for last, or at least that was what Krill chirped happily about as he made room for him to sit. The surprise on everyone's face at his sudden attendance was annoying.
"Misha will be so happy that you are here." Krill's voice silenced abruptly as the clapping died down.
The shimmer of a familiar gold dress completely silenced the audience as the violinist took the stage. Though he has known the performer most of her life, Mikhail felt as if this was the first time he saw her in such a light. With her long black hair bone straight and the skin tight gold dress, Misha stood there sparkling beautifully under the stage lights.
Slowly she positioned her instrument and raised her bow.
The song was like anything he ever heard from her before. It was the most detailed piece he has ever heard her play, all the while she remained still like a golden statue with her eyes closed as her arms worked in a frenzy to produce the stirring sounds. By the time the piece was over, he felt as if his heart were beating ten times faster. There was a moment of silence, just enough time for her to let down her bow, before everyone in the audience stood with a roar of applause.
Even from his position her could see her flush slightly in embarrassment. Making a quick bow as she picked up some of the thrown flowers she rushed off the stage.
Through all of the pats on the back and congratulations Misha had a hard time catching her breath, thankfully Leo appeared out of nowhere to escort her to her dressing room. She needed to freshen up before she attended the reception.
"You were wonderful," Leo whispered in her ear as he guided her through the packed backstage.
Still a bundle of nerves Misha didn't trust herself to speak, she simply squeezed his hand in acknowledgment.
Ushering her into the dressing room Leo stood in the doorway smiling gently, "I will wait out here."
Nodding she closed the door, letting out a loud sigh. She couldn't believe it. She did it. That impossible piece her tutor warned her against she completed it flawlessly. Misha wanted to cry in happiness, but she feared she would ruin the makeup Vera painstakingly applied though knowing Vera it was probably typhoon proof.
Leaning against her dresser, she heard the hard knock at her door, thinking it was Leo she opened the door.
Standing on the other side carrying a large bouquet of dark purple roses was Mikhail. Stepping forward he partially closed the door behind him. Misha couldn't move or say anything, she was so shocked.
"I wanted to give you these before your reception," His deep voice washed over as he stood inches away. Though Mikhail dressed up every day, Misha never seen him look this good. He wore a dark blue suit that was perfectly tailored to his tall, lithe form. Misha's gaze expertly noticed how his broad shoulders filled out the jacket as well as the bulge of his biceps through the dark material. Unlike his scruffy look, last night his head was freshly shaven for the event.
"You came," she half squeaked half whispered. "Did you see the performance?"
He graced her with a rare smile as she carefully took the roses. "Yes, I did. You were magnificent."
Smiling she clutched the roses tighter, "Thank you so much, Mikhail. You don't know how much I wanted you to see it." at this point she really did feel the stinging pain of tears in her eyes, doing her best to hold them back she smiled brighter.
"I also wanted to redeem this before your reception."
Looking down she watched in stunned silence as he pulled a familiar pink slip of paper from his pocket. It was one of the kiss coupons. Taking the paper, she carefully looked up to meet his unnerving gaze. The feeling of his warm, callused hand on her chin shocked her allowing him to easily tilt her head to his liking. All too quickly he leaned down and brushed his lips across hers.
Though someone looking in probably wouldn't have considered it a real kiss Misha, however, felt as if her whole body was on fire. She could only thank God she was somewhat leaning against the vanity or she would have made a fool out of herself.
In a daze, she watched one of his rare smiles form at her obvious shock.
"I will see you after the reception." Misha just stood there frozen in the same spot as the door closed. My God she couldn't believe it. She actually got a kiss from Mikhail. The thought of him bringing her the coupon just for that, made her dizzy with excitement.
The familiar chime of a text message broke her out of her thoughts, looking at her phone she quickly read the impatient text from her agent. He was waiting for her so that they could begin their mingle. For an artist this was the most important time after a performance, this is where valuable connections were made. Any other time Misha would have been excited to attend, but now all she wanted to do was run back to Mikhail's side. Forgoing on changing into the gray cocktail dress she bought Misha quickly freshened up and walked out to the waiting Leo.
Walking with the silent Leo down to the reception area, she thought about Mikhail. She wondered if he brought any more coupons because Misha was not against snatching some nearby paper and scribbling some down.
Watching absently from the doorway to the reception area Leo stared through the throng of people at the shimmering beauty. Still dressed in her performance dress she dazzled as she mingled with fans. Leo's eyes narrowed as he recalled the scene in her dressing room. Just as he ushered her to her room, Mikhail appeared out of nowhere. The man didn't even say anything to him, not that he ever did, normally Leo took his orders from Abram or Krill.
Quickly Leo stepped out of the way to let the man through. Thankfully the bastard didn't close the door all the way, allowing Leo to see somewhat into the tiny room. Though the opening was narrow Leo could see Misha's stunned expression.
Leo just didn't understand Misha's obsession over the guy, though she never said anything it was plain as day that she was infatuated with Mikhail. The man simply wasn't good looking, always wearing that same damned stony expression his face looked as if it were carved out of granite. Not to mention the arctic gaze he fixed on everyone. Misha deserved someone who had style, that could make her laugh, and appreciate her like Leo did.
Leo watched in irritation as Misha fawned over the flowers, but nothing could prepare him for what happened next. Leo's whole body tensed as he watched that bastard kiss her. The face Leo dreamed she would make was coming alive in front of him for another man. Clenching his fist to keep him from doing anything stupid Leo stood motionless as Mikhail left.
Now as he watched her glide gracefully across the room with her ever present smile, Leo began to think about their future. Soon Leo would tell Misha of his feelings.
Chapter 8
After the reception, everyone including Letisha and Jay met at the Rose for a small celebration. Misha was shocked to see that the Rose was closed to customers tonight. Instead of gathering in the back room as she imagined she got to celebrate with everyone in the front part of the restaurant. The place was packed, absolutely everyone was there. Changing in the bathroom into the second dress she brought Misha couldn't stop smiling.
"You look happy," Vera noted.
"I am," Misha grinned at Vera's reflection through the mirror. "I am just so happy to be celebrating this with everyone."
"Well, you should be, because you deserve it. You were amazing tonight. I am just so proud of you."
The last part came out in Russian, Vera probably didn't even realize she switched over, she was too busy trying to covertly dab away the tears in her eyes. Turning around, ignoring the fact her dress was still unzipped, Misha hugged Vera and whispered into her ear.
"I love you, Vera thank you for being the mother I couldn't have. Thank you for everything." Vera's grip around Misha's back tightened in response before pulling away suddenly.
"Damn you for trying to mess up my make-up, now turn around so I can finish."
After changing she stepped back out into the noisy, crowded front room, blushing at all the men's friendly whistles and catcalls at her reappearance, she quickly shuffled over to the main table. Sitting across from her friends, Misha quickly took her seat between Mikhail and Krill. She wondered if Mikhail noticed her in the dress like the other men did? Though she knew they were just being jovial, a big part of her wanted to see Mikhail look at her again like he did that day in her bedroom. God, she was being juvenile, but all she could think about was the kiss. But he just sat there casually with one elbow on the table talking to Krill.
Though Misha hardly ever seen Mikhail sit in the front of his own restaurant, he looked just as comfortable in the front room as he did in the back. Looking at him casually talk to Krill about business she remembered how Vera once explained to her how the "business" worked.
One day after middle school, sitting in one of the booths at the Rose across from Vera, Misha listened to her explain.
"Well first you must know, Mikhail is vastly different from the usual men in the brotherhood, he doesn't run things like Roman," she looked at her with an expression that gave Misha the impression that meant a lot.
"To begin with, Mikhail is the youngest boss that I know of, and I know he is the youngest Vladamir ever entrusted," Vera said. "Vladamir, you know—the head of the family," she paused to make sure Misha actually knew the name. Misha eagerly nodded.
"Well, he allowed for there to be two bosses in Boston. It was because Mikhail has a special skill when it comes to making money. Unlike most Mikhail only needs two captains, each captain runs a multitude of business sending all the money to Mikhail, which he in turn sends to Vladamir. Though technically Mikhail owns all of the establishments nothing is in his name besides the shipyards of course."
"Oh I think I get it now," Misha replied. Having Vera explain it, all the conversations Misha overheard started to make more sense. Every since she met Mikhail Kulakov, Misha was determined to know everything about the man.
"What are you two ladies over here talking about?" Sitting down his half-empty glass, Nico slid into the booth right next to her, crowding her against the wall and his tall frame. Misha didn't mind. However, she loved talking to Nico. He always made her laugh.
"I was explaining to her how things work around here."
"Ahh I see."
"Nico," Misha started hesitantly. "How long have you been—doing this?"
Taken aback at her question Nico paused for a moment, making her regret her question before he gave her a gentle smirk.
"I have been 'doing this' my whole life little one."
"Even when you were a child?" Misha asked.
Vera and Nico shared a quick depreciating laugh before answering her question.
"There is no such thing of being 'child' in Russia. You are simply younger and smaller, and that's all. Life's cruelty did not and does not discriminate to the children where I come from." Nico took a large swallow of the clear liquid in his glass, before waving down the waitress for another. "Hell, the only thing I can remember about being a kid was being separated from my brothers and thrown into an orphanage."
Out of nowhere the last memories of her siblings popped into Misha's mind. She remembered them crammed together in her mom's beat up Lincoln. She could remember two of her sister's fighting for something on one side of the car while her and three of her older brothers stared out the window calling out stuff they seen. Misha didn't even remember getting out of the car, all she could remember was her mom handing her some money and telling her to wait at the diner.
"Don't cry sweety." Vera's voice broke through her thoughts, she looked down to see Vera's hand covering her clenched fist. Wiping away the tears with her other hand Misha smiled back at Vera. Nico's long arm wrapped around her shoulders, bringing her close to him. She was just opening her mouth to tell them she was OK, but a shadow fell over their booth, looking up they were greeted by Mikhail's stoic presence.
"Its time to go Misha." his cold eyes settled on Nico, making the man promptly release her and stand up to let her out of the booth. After saying her goodbyes to everyone she followed Mikhail to his car.
The ride home was quiet. Normally she would talk pretty much at him since Mikhail didn't really talk a lot, but tonight all she could think about was one thing. After learning a little bit more about Mikhail and hearing Nico's statement about growing up in Russia, Misha wanted to know more about Mikhail's childhood.
Though every time she wanted to ask the man anything, she talked herself out of it out of fear. What if she accidentally made him mad, by asking too many questions or being nosy? It really wasn't her place to ask him anything. Every day she reminded herself to be more than merely grateful, she needed to be completely beholden to the man she owed everything.
Parking in the brightly lit underground garage to their building, Mikhail sat silently. Taking her hand off the door handle, Misha turned to look at Mikhail, to see why he paused.
"Misha," Mikhail began, getting her full attention. "What were you talking about with Nico?"
"Oh," Misha explained carefully. "well he was telling me about how he grew up?"
"And that made you cry?" he turned to look at her with a skeptical glance.
"Yeah sorta," she fiddled with the hem of her pleated school mandated skirt. "His story reminded me of my brothers and sisters." looking up to see what his reaction was, she hastened to continue when she saw that he was still staring at her. "I just felt bad for him, and I guess I felt bad for myself a little."
"Do you miss them?" his voice seemed deeper than usual. It alarmed her.
"No!" she quickly replied. Seeing his eyebrow furrow she tried to explain. "I mean yes, but not like that. I mean I want to stay with you still Mikhail."
"Misha calm down," he sighed, giving her a hard stare. " Saying you miss your siblings will not affect the fact that you belong to me now." The surety in which he said that made her sigh in relief.
"OK," she began again, this time taking a deep breath to get her thoughts together. "I meant that I miss them, and I wonder how there doing, but I feel bad when I think of them because every time I do I only feel so happy that I am with you. I know it sounds selfish and terrible but I only just want to be here."
"There is nothing selfish about knowing what you want," he turned to look out the front window. "That is how I got to where I am today. When I was about your age, my sister was sold off by my stepfather. Soon after that he sold me to a man under Vladimir. I worked and scraped as pretty much a slave until I got the attention of Vladamir. I went back and killed my stepfather and with Vladimir's permission I killed the man who bought my sister."
"Did you save your sister?" she asked, her eyes wide at the implications of his story.
"No" she could hear the anger in his voice. "I didn't get to her in time."
Unbuckling her seat belt Misha climbed to her knees on the leather seat and leaned over and wrapped her arms around his neck. She could feel the constriction of her throat as tears threatened to spill.
"I am sorry," she whispered, her cheek pressed against his. Pulling back a little she watched him turn to face her directly. With her kneeling position, their faces were only inches apart.
"Life handed you and I a shit hand at an early age, so don't ever feel bad to go after what you want."
Nodding vigorously, she followed him out of the car. Everyday since she met Mikhail Kulakov, Misha was thankful. Thankful he seemed to genuinely care about her, thankful he trusted her enough to tell her about his past, and thankful he gave her a future to hope for.
Now as she sat there absently staring at him through her peripheral, doing her best to keep up the conversation with Jay and Letisha, she had to wonder if knowing all that she did how could she still be so surprised by the man even now. Never in her wildest of fantasies would she have imagined Mikhail kissing her or even showing up to her performance. Knowing she would surely start grinning like an idiot if she kept remembering the scene, Misha pushed back the thoughts for later.
After hours of laughter and talking Misha followed Mikhail back into the condo. She was so tired she had to take off her heels in the elevator just to make it any further. Though through her fatigue, it did not escape her notice that this was the first time they have been alone since her dressing room. Though all she wanted to do was mention the kiss. She also prayed he would not mention it, Misha didn't trust her reaction. There was no telling if she would make a fool of herself and confess her love for him or just stare at him like a lost puppy. Too nervous to take a chance she opted for a quick goodnight as she turned down her hallway.
