“Yeah, it sure as hell sounds nice,” Milton shouts from across the room. “Just wait until you have kids and you end up in a theme park.”
“I’m sure Nat would like that too.” Bubba smiles lazily, then looks back at me. “Anyway, enjoy your bachelor time in the Hamptons. I think this might be one of the last years you’ll be single. Someone is bound to snatch you up soon.”
“Nah, I’m not ready for all that yet. You and Nat enjoy Jamaica, though.”
One by one, the guys get their things and clear out of the locker room, saying their last goodbyes. As the team captain, I’m always the last man out. Finally alone, I take one last look at the empty room and turn out the light.
I’m usually counting down the days until the offseason, but I can’t say I’m looking forward to it this time. No, two months with nothing to fill my days but alcohol and sex just isn’t doing it for me this year. It’s not like Teddy partied with me before, but I always had someone to go home to. I would spend my weekends at my parents’ house in the Hamptons, live it up, then go back to the city and spend my days with him.
In fact, hanging out with Teddy and his grandma Muriel has been the only time in my life that I felt like I had a family. I haven’t seen my own parents in months, and even though I’ll be intheirhome in the Hamptons, I won’t see them there either.
No, Dad and Mommy Dearest are probably gallivanting about in Europe somewhere right about now. As far back as I canremember, they’d leave in the summer to embark on their own adventures while I was left back in the city, or in the Hamptons, with whichever nanny was in rotation at the time.
Their absence led to some killer parties over the years. My friends all thought I was the luckiest guy in the world to have so much freedom, but I hated it. They got to come get drunk or high for a weekend, then go back to their loving family during the week. I would hear about their vacations and imagine what my parents and I might be up to wherever they were at the moment. Perhaps we would take a tour of the catacombs in Paris, a wine tour in Portugal, or even attend one of the contemporary operas my parents rave about, where the actors sing while standing in trash cans.
At least they’re still in love. I think. I knew plenty of people whose parents couldn’t stand each other. The Upper East Side was filled with infidelity, so much so that it was assumed to be the standard. It never sat right with me, though. Maybe that’s why the idea of settling down with someone hasn’t ever appealed to me.
Why have one woman when you can have them all?
Except, after so many years, they all turn into the same boring woman. Maybe that’s why Teddy was never into it, and it worked out for him. He met his soulmate, Ellie. Those two could make someone with the hardest of hearts believe in love.
Someone like me.
For the first time in my life, a month away with one woman who loves me sounds better than the countless faceless women I’m used to. Too bad nobody’s waiting for me at home except my empty bed.
Chapter 3
“And this isthe owner’s suite.” Ivan pushes open french doors and reveals the ugliest bedroom I’ve ever seen. “It’s been empty since my brother passed away. I already had my own rooms and never felt inclined to move, and then, well, I started spending less and less time here after Blanche and I…Anyway, you’re welcome to occupy any of the suites, but this is the largest and has the best view.”
He continues, but all I can think about is thefucking red latex. It’s everywhere in this wing of the house. The garish shade spans from the rug to the walls to the furniture. Even the ceiling wasn’t spared, with velvet surrounding a mirror that hangs directly above the four-poster bed.
I’ve had my fair share of “red room” experiences, but it’s a gauche aesthetic for a bedroom, especially in a house this big.The suite doesn’t even have the equipment to make it a practical room forrealkink. The bed frame looks domineering, but there aren’t any metal reinforcements to attach restraints. A stripper pole is tucked into a corner of the room, but it’s plain. I don’t see any hooks dangling from the ceiling to hang a swing.Or a bad boy who’s gotten himself tied up. There’s a large red velvet chair in front of the bed, but no furniture ergonomically designed for morestrenuouspositions.
It seems like the owner of this suite wanted to feel like they’re kinky, while fucking like every other vanilla loser out there. I shouldn’t sayloser. That kind of sex life is absolutely fine for most people. But most people don’t run underground operations that could take out small countries. I learned early on that a simple fuck was never going to be enough for me. I need the power, the pain, and the absolute submission of my partner. Which means I need to add anactualkinky room somewhere in this mansion and make my own suite livable.
I rub my temples, making a mental note to add the owner’s suite to the ever-growing list of renovations around the place. It’s not a complete disaster. The bones of the house are solid, with traditional designs and layouts that have aged well over the years. Luckily, whoever got their hands on the place didn’t have enough time to dotoomuch damage. It’s mostly surface-level renovations that will need to be done, so some fresh paint and furniture and my interior designer should have this tacky mess sorted out soon.
Not that redecorating is at the top of my list. There seems to be a never-ending list of tasks that precede making my new house feel like home. I knew taking over a larger branch of our family’s Bratva would be hard, but I underestimated how much work it would involve by a long shot.
For starters, the transfer of power from Ivan to anyone would be a chore, but it’s going to be especially hard, considering mygender. I’m up for the task, though. I can put any one of these men on their asses in a matter of seconds and outmaneuver them all politically. I just need the time to prove to them that I’m worthy of their loyalty.
That’s just the emotional aspect. Their business operations are much different from how we ran Thunder Bay. Ivan ran through everything with me, and while there are some details I like, I’m going to need to tweak things to my standards. Apparently, Ivan only took over as the Pakhan from his brother Pavel a few years ago. He showed me records of the nightmare he walked into, and the improvements he’s made in a short time are impressive.
We have a tight timeline for this merger, and it’s barely enough time for a complete handover, even if everything goes perfectly. Ivan has agreed to visit as much as he can to make the transition as painless as possible, which means I’m going to be here a lot more than I planned. I was naive to think that I’d be able to travel back and forth between Thunder Bay and New York to check on Teddy. No, I won’t be able to make a trip to Florida for at least a month with the mess I have to clean up here. Panic threatens to take hold, but with a deep breath and the reminder that he married into a whole-ass Mafia that will protect him, I find my resolve just as Ivan takes his leave.
“Alright, I’ll let you settle in. I’ll be back soon, but if you need anything, just reach out. My wife Blanche and I will be in the city, so I should be able to get back with you quickly.”
“Thanks, I’m sure we’ll manage just fine. I’ll see you in a few days.”
Ivan leaves, but I’m not sure how much “settling in” I’ll be able to accomplish in this gaudy sex den.So much latex…At least it’s easy to clean.Although…That thought lights a fire under me, and I decide to find the housekeeping staff instead of moping. Even if it takes some time to re-decorate, the least I can do is make sure the room’s been drenched in bleach.
“What do you think, moya tsaritsa? Up to the challenge?” Misha knocks the back of my chair and hands me a cup of tea before sitting down across from me.
Sipping my tea, I observe my dearest friend through the steam. “Oh, please. This is nothing.”
“It’s not going to be as easy as it was under your father, you know. You had his protection and years to build rapport with the men. We barely have enough time to earn these guys’ trust, and when Ivan leaves for good—”
“I saidI’ll be fine,” I snap.
