Tatiana

Chapter 14-16

Copyright © 2014 by Curtis Couch

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Chapter 14

“Money,” he said. “Nah, we’re all good.”

“What do you mean, I owe you $70,000?”

“It’s taken care of.”

Mike narrowed his eyes, and looked around the bar. The gang leader was terrified of him, and the others backed away as if he had the plague.

“Forget about it.” There was silence. Mike waited a beat, but it was clear that no one was going to make a move on him. Something had got the gang scared.

***

Mike rode the elevator back to his room; he didn’t know what to make of the last hour. When the cart doors opened Mike saw Sarah leaning against the wall. She wasn’t happy to see him, and she looked sad.

Mike drew closer, unsure what to make of her melancholy demure. She looked up at him with sad eyes. “I have something to say,” she said.

“What is it?” He said once the two had entered his room.

“I like you, love you maybe.” She smiled. “But I never would have done what I did had I known. Tatiana has looked out for me, helped me out in so many ways. I could never have betrayed her like I did.”

Mike was trying to listen, but his mind still grappled with what had just happened in the bar.

“I was manipulated,” Sarah continued.

“Manipulated?”

“Hindsight’s a funny thing,” she laughed, “now everything is so clear.” Sarah wiped away shedded tears. “Ben earned my trust, and took advantage of it.”

“Ben. No – never.” Mike stood up. “He’s my best friend.”

“He used me, he put me up to sleeping with you.”

“Impossible,” he said. “You’re lying. This isn’t a game Sarah.”

She stood to face him on his level, but he was so tall and strong. He still looked down at her. “I’m not lying, and believe me – I know how real this is.” She took a beat to compose herself. “I went to see Ben, thinking he was my friend, and yours. But he just laughed at me. He treat me like shit.”

Mike stared at her; she looked like she was telling the truth.

“Why would he?”

“He hates you, he’s jealous.”

“You don’t know what you’re saying.”

Sarah folded her arms, “Then ask him.”

Mike thought for a moment, glanced at her one more time. Then he went back to his desk, scribbled a few more lines. He popped the letter into an envelope, and said, “Take this to Tatiana. Don’t look inside.”

The look in Mike’s eyes made her tremble as she took the letter. They were cold and dark.

***

At Tatiana’s penthouse, all the staff recognised Sarah. They told her that Ms. Karpov was in. The ride up the elevator was brief. When she stepped out a bodyguard challenged her.