Cole 2

Hauling Cam to his bed was a challenge but once it was done, it was a relief. Sighing, I locked the door behind me, got in the vehicle, and instructed the driver to just drive. Pulling the file out of my satchel, I reviewed its contents more. Ace Volkov was a man that my father dealt with every once in a while. He wasn't someone that I cared particularly for. He reminded me of a lone wolf. He was clever, ruthless, and selfish. I felt a vibration and looked at my phone. The screen lit up and I recognized the number. Sighing, I pushed the file aside and answered. "Da."

"I need you to come to the office now."

"It's 10:20 pm, father."

"You know better than to argue with me. I expect to see you in my office soon." With that, he hung up and I mumbled curses under my breath. Nothing is worse than an over-authoritarian parent/boss. I instructed the driver to drive back to the office and the driver nodded. I had a gut feeling that whatever he was about to discuss was probably the contents in the file.

---

Soon I pushed the doors open to my father, a tired brown-haired man with his head always in the books, sitting at a desk looking over some papers. When I was a child, he always looked too big for his desk. He was larger than life. I wanted to be just like him but now it was as if he was somehow smaller. He already was an intimidating handsome man with power and influence but that was not what made him intimidating. He always knew what the other businessman was doing or were going to do before they knew it. It was like he could read their minds. Even now, sometimes I believe that. Upon my arrival, he did not even look up, "sit."

"Is this going to be short?"

He looked up at me. "Do you want to hear what is in that file or not?"

Closing the door behind me, I reluctantly sat down and pulled the file out of the satchel then set it on the desk. Opening it, I spread the papers out.

"I know you already know who Ace Volkov is and his associates in that file so I will skip to the chase. There is a party that will be held tomorrow evening. I need you to attend to represent me. Ace Volkov will be there and I need you to keep an eye on him. He has been up to something lately and I need to know what it is. I already talked to Lincoln and cleared your schedule. Abram has agreed to the deal and you will close the deal the day after tomorrow. "

"You mean that you persuaded him to agree with the deal."

"He wasn't going to listen to you, son. He sees you as another young inexperienced boy who can be pushed around. You need to insert that what you are offering is an important and once-in-a-lifetime deal. He is just toying with you to see if he can lower negotiations to benefit him more and you're allowing him to do that."

"Who do you see me as a father?" I clenched my jaw and my father looked me in the eyes, weighing his next words. "There are rumors that Ace has a list of valuable objects and people that he is one by one going after. I believe the host of the party, Michail Aldine will be the next target. I want you to prevent that from happening. Cameron will be with you as well as some of Michail's men. I will let you go so you can get some sleep before tomorrow."

I rose from the chair had made it to the door when I heard him, "The only person I see you as is my son and that will never change." Opening the door, I walked out of his office with those words resonating in my mind.

---The next morning---

I began preparing for the party. If only preparing for a party was as easy as it was in college. I contacted my tailor to have a suit ready for me before the party. I was never one who loved to show off the latest most colorful suit but I still needed to look presentable. I threw on some clothes and called my driver. The day had begun. I met with a barber made sure I got my monthly haircut and had my shoes buffed then met with Lincoln to go over my schedule and the list of notable people who were going to be at the party. I stopped running my fingers down the list at one name: Vela Brien.

I remembered Cam stating, "If I had my computer I could attempt to look her up but I doubt that with just Vel? written on the back, I would not get far. There are some names in different cultures that start with Vel and with no other clue it would be impossible to find".

I turned to Lincoln, "Do you know who Vela Brien is?"

He shook his head. "The name is not familiar but she is Ace Volkov's plus one. I am sure you will be properly introduced during the party."

"Thank you, Lincoln. I see that it is almost obed. Where is Cameron?"

"He has not arrived."

I sighed. "Prepare my car, I am going to have to wake him up."

Lincoln nodded then walked off.

I pulled my phone out and dialed his number.

"I'm up. I'm up." Came a groggy voice and then the sound of clatter as he moved. "The woman was a dead end. I need more information."

"I'm not calling about that. Father wants us to go to a party this evening to represent him. I have a gut feeling that the woman will be there."

"I see and do you have a suit for me?"

"One day you will be the one getting your own suits," I grumbled trying to keep a smile.

"That day will come when you stop needing me...which by the way will be never." Cam joked. "Now come down and get me ready for the evening." He ended the call.

There really was no word to describe him.

---

Soon both of us were ready and had studied every name on the list. "I agree with you that Vela Brein has to be the Vel that was in the file but our focus is on Ace, not her. I mean this Cole." We both stood outside of the countryside mansion. The mansion was completely white lit by the outdoor lights and looked like a small palace. It was ovular and had colonial columns out front highlighting the grand entrance. People dressed in warm, coats walked towards the mansion, chatting excitedly. The atmosphere was warm despite the chilly night.

"We need to go in and greet the host and hostess," I stated and turned to walk into the mansion when Cam grabbed my arm.

"I mean it, Cole. Focus on Ace."

"I will," I promised and he let go of my arm, not completely convinced. Walking into the mansion, we were greeted by the host and hostess. Cam gave them our gift, a bottle of Rochioli Russian River Valley Syrah 2016. Kissing the hostess on the left cheek then the right cheek, I turned, took off the glove of my left hand, and shook the host's outstretched hand. He smiled, pulled me in, kissed both cheeks then gave me a crushing hug. The hostess was a beautiful blond woman in her late forties known for her ability to control Mr. Aldine. Mr. Aldine smiled beside his wife. His short, dark cropped hair was neatly brushed back and his brown eyes shined brightly against his tan skin. He leaned towards his wife and whispered in her ear. She smiled, unlooped her arm from his, and kissed him. "You boys have fun."

"We will ma'am." I smiled before Mr. Aldine walked away and clasped his hand on my back leading me away. "Ace has arrived already. I have someone watching him from every corner but I am afraid that is not enough. Ace has a way of getting what he wants no matter what measures are taken."

"What is he after? Who did he arrive with?"

"I am not sure what he is after but it is your job to make sure that he doesn't leave your sight. Ace did arrive with a woman. Never seen her before. I was surprised that he did not bring the redhead. She does look a bit young. But like I said everyone has their eyes on him so their eyes will be on her as well. I need to get back to greeting my guests but you and your friend are welcome to walk around."

"Thank you for your hospitality." I nodded and he nodded in return before going back the way we came in.

I made my way around the mansion, greeting familiar faces and being introduced to new ones before I finally spotted him. He was smiling all the while talking to a man with his back to me. My eyes moved to the woman beside him.

She was a gorgeous tan-skinned woman with wide brown eyes and wavy brown hair pinned to the side. Her figure was hugged by the champagne off-the-shoulder dress she wore. She definitely was a woman that would not be easily missed.

I smiled as her eyes landed on mine and my heart raced. I took that as a cue and made my way towards them just as the man left. "Hello, Ace."

"Hello, Cole. I thought that your father would be here." He nodded curtly as I held out my right hand and he took it.

"I am here in his place."

"I see." Ace commented, and I could tell that he took insult to my father for refusing to show up at the party. He gestured towards the woman beside him, "This is Vela Brien. She is an acquaintance of mine. This man here is Cole Solokov, one and only son to Mikhail (Misha) Solokov."

She smiled as she held out her hand. I took it and gently kissed it, all the while keeping my eyes on hers. It was the custom to shake her hand not to kiss it but watching her gentle smile made it worth it.

I gently released her hand and snuck a glance at Ace.

His jaw was set showing just how much he liked that.

"I do not believe that I have seen you around here before. Where do you come from Ms. Brien?"

Her eyes slightly moved to Ace, almost like she was waiting for permission before she answered. "I lived on the outskirts of St. Petersburg for all of my life with my parents."

"Who are your parents if I may ask? I never met anyone with your last name before."

"They are-"

"UZHIN (Dinner)!" A voice called above all others and the crowd began to slowly make their way to the dining room.

I turned my attention to Ms. Brien.

"I'm sure we will have more time to talk later, Mr. Solokov."

"I'm sure we will Ms. Brien." I smiled as Ace put his hand on her back then led her to the dining room. I followed behind. I was sure that they had not stolen anything yet but I needed to keep my eye on them for the rest of the night just to make sure.

Dinner was delicious with the first course consisting of salads and bread, the second-course meats and finally tea, wine or vodka. The chatter of guests and the hearty laughter of the host made a light atmosphere. I kept my eyes on Ace and Ms. Brien as promised. Sometimes she would glance at me but Ace never even looked my way. Ms. Brien excused herself then headed to the restroom and I excused myself as soon as she disappeared from sight. I waited outside of the restroom thinking. With all these eyes on both Ace and Ms. Brien, there would have been no way that even a professional thief could have stolen from the host without being noticed. No one else came with them to the party and it was not Ace's style to hire someone else to do it. That meant that they either already stole what they wanted and were just staying at the party to avoid suspicion or they had a plan. Either way talking to Ms. Brien may solve that.