Chapter 50

I scan the menu to make a show of not being rattled, pick out a pork and mushroom dish I like and lift the handset. I already know Alexi’s order, seeing as he has circled items on this paper, and I guess they are his regular orders. Only someone with a habitual order would circle his menus when he comes here, and it surprises me that someone as spontaneous as him has such rigid eating habits. Then maybe not. He likes control and safety; he loathes the unknown and not controlling outcomes, so I guess ordering the same dish isn’t surprising. I really am learning about him.

I phone through the order, and they tell me it will be thirty minutes. I hang up and turn to see he is still on his phone and sitting on the bottom step of his metal staircase, kicking off his boots and getting comfy. Lost in conversation with his right-hand man, I look for something to do while he’s busy.

I can hear the change of tone to serious and know they have moved to business. Always connected to