Page 12 of Ghostly Desires

“Why would the issue be big enough for you to not only leave the homeland, but be something I’m involved in?” I speak Russian, knowing Uncle looks down on us in the West for losing our heritage.

“I’m not here for the issue we’re currently speaking of. I was already on my way into the country for another reason. It's just a coincidence that this issue popped up while I was here,” Uncle tells me as the sound of a car door opening comes down the line.

“Well, as fun as this catch-up has been, mind telling me exactly why your son is blowing me up and now you're here as well?” I snap, bored with the conversation and wanting to get back to LeeAnn.

“It would appear your cousin has gotten into bed with someone that we do not approve of. I need to know what you know and how we can fix it.” He gets right down to business.

“I know more than I should and am willing to deal with the issue keeping Machislav clear and clean.” I offer this not only because I want to protect my cousin—and the fact that Denver is a fucking asshole—but he hurt LeeAnn badly enough she's willing to make a deal with the devil just to get rid of him.

“So then what Machislav and his men said about the party and you leaving with a souvenir that stirred up some of the issue was true, then.” He acts as if he is asking when we both know that he already knows the answer to his question.

“I know not what you speak of. What I do know is that I have a very beautiful woman currently in my shower and instead of enjoying her, I’m on the phone with you talking in circles. So, Uncle, tell me what is really going on and why you’re here in the first place.” I’m done with chit-chat and dancing around the reason he’s here.

Should I antagonize my uncle? No, probably not. Though I don’t give a fuck and it’s fun.

“There are problems brewing that have nothing to do with Denver. The Irish are having problems and may need to call in our alliance to save them.” Uncle’s tone has changed, revealing the true Pakhan he truly is.

Something cold settles in my chest. “Doesn’t tell me why you would come to handle some rowdy Irishmen.”

“Nikolay, be on standby,” Uncle snarls. “It would seem all those we hold close may not be as good as we believe them to be.”

Understanding hits me hard. “Motherfucker.”

“Now you're getting it. Are you going to tell me what you did to get the little piss ant up in such a tizzy that he’s trying to start a war?” Uncle changes the subject in a way that tells me the conversation is done for now.

“I did nothing but help a trapped sparrow free from its cage,” I reply, letting him know that this isn’t a conversation we’re going to have.

Uncle sighs, and I can just see him rubbing small circles into his temple. “If you start it, just make sure you fucking clean it up. I need to go,” Uncle tells me. “Oh, and make time to see me before I leave.”

“I’ll do what I can,” is the only reply he is going to get from me.

“See that you do,” Uncle snaps. “I want this new issue dealt with and fucking fast. Whatever it takes. I do not need to remind you why he can be a problem for the family if left unchecked.”

“Am I to bring Machislav into the dealing of this issue, or do you want me to solve it on behalf of the Motherland?” I know what I want him to say but will handle it the way he says I have to.

“Take a meeting and see what he says, but Nikolay, you do whatever needs to be done. That’s a direct order from the homeland.” Uncle’s demands are heard and understood.

“Da, I understand,” I barely get out before he ends the call.

A knock on my office door gets my attention. “Da?”

Slowly the door swings open, revealing a sight that I could get used to. LeeAnn comes through the door in one of my black hoodies, her long black hair twisted up on top of her head, and the small smile playing on her lips makes her devastatingly intoxicating. She stands in the doorway, looking at the floor.

“LeeAnn,” I say her name softly.

She looks up at me, and I hold my hand out, palm up, beckoning her to me. As she makes her way over to me, I push back from my desk, making room for her to sit on my lap. She climbs up and rests her head on my chest. We sit there in silence, taking comfort in each other. Kissing the side of her head, I pull her closer, liking that she smells like me. LeeAnn fidgets with the hem of my hoodie, and her heart rate starts to increase.

“What’s wrong, moya golovomka?” I coax softly.

“I’m going to have to go back.” Her words are laced with so much sadness that it makes me angry.

“You don’t have to do anything that you don’t want to,” I state flatly.

She lets out a humorless laugh. “I’ve tried and wished for years to get out from under my father. It’s not as easy as just walking away. He’ll never allow it.”

I shift her so she is straddling my lap and I can see her face. “LeeAnn, I know you don’t know me or anything about me. I need you to know that when I tell you that you do not have to go back, I mean that. There is nothing your father or any of his cronies could do that would change the fact that.”

Tears fill her eyes as she slowly shakes her head. “You don’t know what he would or could do to keep me doing what he wants and being where he wants me to be.”