“I’ll give you 5,000 dollars if you serve me in russian,” laughed the mafia boss at the waitress…

The following morning, Victor appeared at her door unannounced, his expression unreadable as he studied the dark circles under her eyes. The first time is always difficult, he said simply, offering no apology, but a strange acknowledgement of her distress.

Instead of business, he suggested breakfast at a small bakery owned by an elderly Russian couple.continue reading …