Rowan’s way: 13 unlucky for some
March 3, 2021 12 Comments
Jess told me yesterday she feels up to some blogging, and she also told me to thank those of you who inquired about her health, saying she feels better but our continued prayers would not be amiss. She’ll certainly has mine. So here sooner than I expected is the next chapter of ‘Rowan’s Way’. Neo
As Ryan had suggested, I talked with Fiona. She explained that rooms had been booked at the Excelsior, which was across the road from Maxim’s and just down the road from the Club, so, if I wanted to use the money to buy a “frock”, I could change at the hotel; she gave me the room number.
As I caught a cab to Oxford Street, I was quietly simmering. Looking at the finding device, I could see that Irina was already close to the hotel. I had no intention of using his money to buy myself anything but had a suitable outfit in my bag, so I asked the driver to take me to the hotel. As I arrived, so did Irina. She looked relieved.
“So far so good,” she said. “So?”
As we checked in, I told her that Ryan had invited me to drinks with them to be followed by dinner and a night of unbridled passion at his Club. I told her I thought we should be very careful in the room, as it might well be bugged. She nodded, adding that she would not be surprised if there were hidden cameras. Great, I thought, that’s all I need, someone perving on me changing. We dumped our cases, and I suggested we grab some tea and assess our plan of campaign. We had about forty-five minutes, and to be honest, the less time we spent in the room, the better.
“I am not liking this, Rowan”, Irina said, her brow furrowing. “Why is he wanting you here? Why has he given you money for clothes and a key to the room? Can I ask a personal question?” I nodded my assent. “Are you a virgin?”
Taken aback, I felt myself blush.
“Yes, I thought I’d told you.”
“You told me you hadn’t with him, but I wasn’t sure about, well”, she blushed, “others.”
Even as I asked why she asked, a horrible suspicion that had been forming in my mind began to crystallise.
“Surely not!” I exclaimed.
“Why not? What can you do, complain that a Russian mafia boss screwed you after you dined with him in a dress bought on money from the entertainment budget? You do know what these bastards would pay for a real virgin?”
I had always thought that phrase about your “blood running cold” was an odd one, but at that moment I felt its full force; my veins felt as though they were filled with ice. I had told the agents with whom we were working where we would be, but had given them ten o’clock as the time; suddenly, as we approached five-thirty, that seemed too late, and an age away. I felt out of my depth. Irina reached out and touched my hand.
“I doubt he intends to take you to the Club at all. I am betting he suggests we dine here, that would explain there being two rooms booked in the company’s name. I suggest we try to dine for as long as possible and then, we’ll how about this …?
What she suggested was daring, but might just work. After all, they would be in no hurry, they thought they had all night.
When we got back to the room, I tried to see if I could locate any hidden cameras, but couldn’t see anything. Assuming they were there, I decided against showering and slipped on the dress as discreetly as I could, watching as Irina changed into her extremely fetching mini-dress. I looked positively frumpy next to her. We helped each other with our make up. I seldom wore any, so it was more a case of her helping me.
We must have scrubbed up well, as I was aware we were attracting glances in the lounge as we waited. Ryan was on the dot of six.
“My darling, you look radiant, love the frock, green so suits you. And Irina, what can I say?”
He seemed happy, but a little nervous.
“Darling,” he said, half apologetically, “do you mind if we dine here? The other guests who were joining the two Russians have failed to show, and I don’t want Irina here to have to deal with them all alone? Is that okay? I shall make it up to you, promise.”
He looked and sounded so genuine that for a moment I almost believed him, but then caught Irina’s eye: we had been right.
I agreed with good grace.
“You are a princess”, he said, “I am lucky to have you.”
Luck, I thought, I shall be lucky to get out of this intact.