“I’m gonna hit the shower. Wanna join me?”
“You go ahead. I’m going to order breakfast. Are you hungry?”
“Starving.”
I called downstairs and ordered two continental breakfasts while Max was in the shower. The food arrived while he was getting dressed. I sat on the bed, watching him while hollowing out a giant croissant.
“So, who’s the client?” I asked between bites of croissant.
“He’s new. I’ve been working on him for a while. I think he wants to secure the account.”
Max didn’t appear as keen as he usually was when he’d picked up a new client. I wondered about that. But, as he said when we arrived at the hotel, he was tired, so I didn’t comment on his obvious lack of enthusiasm.
“Okay. Well, I hope it goes well.”
“Thanks, Babe. Hmm, that croissant looks delicious.”
Max sat down to eat. I moved to the window and looked out over the city.
“Does it feel strange to be back here?” I asked.
“A little.”
“Does Inessa ever come to Moscow to visit?”
“No, she loves America.”
I gazed at the contrast between the brightly colored cathedral and the stark gray of the Kremlin wall that surrounded it. I wondered if Max and his sister had memories of the old days, before the West started to play such a significant part in global affairs.
“Will you show me where you lived as a child? I want to see everything. Your school, where you were born, where you had your first kiss–I want to see it all.”
“Nosy little munchkin aren’t you,” Max purred and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“I am when it comes to you.”
“I’ll take you wherever you want to go, my love. But now, I have to eat and then run. My meeting is across town.”
“Okay. But don’t be too long. I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”
“Damn right, you will.”
I soaked in a bubble-filled tub for the longest time after Max left. I called Mom and then Josie while I was poolside. They were envious. Later, when Max’s meeting was concluded, he whisked me away and showed me his old stomping grounds.
18
MAX
Grigoriy was holding court when I arrived at his mansion at noon. I wasn’t expecting to see the whole sordid gang of misfits, but there they were, in all their seedy glory.
“Ah, Max,” he said loudly when he saw me. “Come, sit here next to me.”
Grigoriy was showing me off, like a spoiled child bragging over a new toy.
“Hello, Grigoriy.”
“You know the boys, don’t you?” he said and waved his hand about the group of fat cats.