I stepped inside and took a deep breath.
The room was amazing. It was a suite, with a living room on the outside and a bedroom toward the back. It was by far the nicest room I had ever stayed in, at least on par with a five-star hotel, but probably better.
“Will this be okay?” the man asked.
“Great,” I said. “This is great.”
“Good.” He checked his watch. “Someone will be by shortly to get you settled.” He turned and disappeared.
I gaped around the room and dropped my bag on the couch. “We’re safe, little boy,” I whispered to Alex. “See, we have our own room now. Daddy is going to take care of us.”
I felt weird calling Vince that. He was Alexei’s father, but it was still strange to be under his protection. Truth was, I still thought about him all the time, and I didn’t know how I felt about the man. Everything was so mixed up in my mind.
Alex and I explored the room, and I talked to him the whole time. He seemed so calm, surprisingly calm, especially considering he was an infant in a brand new place. But he probably didn’t even notice the difference.
I noticed, though. The bedroom was huge, and the attached bathroom was gorgeous. It had a full tub and a standing shower, plus all granite and marble surfaces. It was by far the nicest place I had ever stepped foot in.
I heard the door open in the other room. “Hello?” a woman’s voice called out.
I stepped out into the living room and saw an older woman standing there, smiling at me. She was probably in her mid-forties, with her dark hair in a tight bun. She was wearing modest dress pants and a button-down shirt and looked like she belonged in a JCrew catalogue or something like that.
“Hi,” I said. “I’m Kaley.”
“Hi, Kaley. My name is Sonya. I was sent here to help take care of you.” She stepped toward me. “Is this little Alexei?”
I nodded, smiling. “He’s a little tired right now.”
“I’m sure. It’s been a big day for him.” She came a bit closer. “May I?”
“Sure.” I handed Alexei over to her, and she took him just like a pro. For whatever reason, I trusted her right away. Maybe it was because of the Russian name, but more likely it was her bearing. She seemed so kind and helpful, and she seemed really good with Alex.
“Hello, little boy,” she said, smiling. “He’s so very cute.”
“Thanks,” I said.
“So, Kaley, I’m here to help get you settled in, but I’m also going to help you take care of little Alex here.”
I stopped in my tracks. “What?”
“Don’t worry,” she said, smiling. “I’m a nanny by trade. I usually help out with the daycare, but they assigned me to you for the time being.”
“I don’t need any help,” I said.
“I’m sure you don’t, sweetie, but this is a pretty amazing place, and you’re going to be busy.”
“I’m okay,” I said again. “I can just stay in here with Alexei.”
“Well.” She smiled and handed Alex back to me, clearly sensing my discomfort. “Let me show you some things.” She took out a little packet, just like you’d get at a hotel.
“This is your keycard. Don’t lose it. If the key unlocks a door, you’re allowed in that room. If it doesn’t, you’re not. Simple, right?” I nodded, frowning. Were they really going to let me wander around the building?
“Next is a food menu. You just call room service, order what you want, and the staff brings it up. Just like in a hotel, except you don’t have to pay a thing.”
“Really?” I asked. “You’re not kidding?”
“Not at all. We’ll bring a crib up for Alex, some diapers, really whatever you might need.”
“That’d be amazing,” I said.
“Are you breastfeeding?”
I nodded.
“Good,” she said. “So you won’t need formula. Here’s a map of the grounds. Pretty much nothing outside is off limits. There’s a lot of stuff to do, so feel free to explore.”
“Sonya,” I said, “what the heck is this place?”
She laughed, smiling. “I know, strange, right?”
“It’s just more like a resort than like a mafia compound.”
She laughed, nodding her head. “I know, I know. I like how direct you are.”
I blushed. “Sorry. Everyone knows that, right?”
“Of course.” She shrugged, looking through the papers. “I don’t know why this place became the way it is. I guess since the men have such difficult jobs, the family wanted somewhere for everyone to feel safe and relaxed.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
“Plus, the Barones like to show off their wealth. What better way than to spoil every single guest that walks in the door?”