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The expansive windows offered sweeping views of the animated French Quarter below.
All whispered of a lavishness that could captivate even a seasoned traveler like myself.
I walked down a long hallway, losing myself in the charming vintage birdcages and more floor-to-ceiling windows, framed by sumptuous fabrics.
Emily remained in the living room as I headed to the back and did a quick check on the kids.
Paolo and Emilio slept in their rooms with nannies near and guards posted on the outside of their doors.
I grinned with pure joy.
My cubs.
Their childhood would be vastly different from mine.
Many times, I’d shared the bed with Valentina, Pavel, Tisha, and other cousins who had been dropped off due to their parents rushing out in the night to steal. It had been a small, cold room with thin walls that barely kept out the freeze of Siberia—cracked windows, critters crawling, and a mattress on the floor.
Tonight, Paolo lay in a king-sized bed in a room that was a sanctuary of design cloaked in the most exquisite linens.
Art adorned his walls, showing tranquil views of the Mississippi River.
Perfect.
I nodded at my son’s guards, and went into Emily and my lavish bedroom, and assessed our huge bathroom. It was an enclave of marble and gold with a freestanding bathtub for at least five people.
I pictured my mouse and I lounging among bubbles with glasses of fine bourbon.
Perhaps we could stay here for another night. . .just to enjoy ourselves.
I returned to the living room.
Emily hugged herself and stood in the center of the massive space.
I watched her, noting the way her eyes took in the surroundings—the slight tilt of her head as she absorbed the details, the subtle relaxation of her shoulders at the suite’s warmth.
Then, something else caught my attention.
“Hmmm.” I walked deeper into the living room. “This was not here when I came into the suite earlier.”
Emily followed me over.
Against the far wall of the living room, bathed in chandelier light, stood a large canvas on an easel. A huge selection of paints and brushes sat on a nearby table, arranged neatly around the easel in a rainbow of colors, ready to bring the canvas to life.
A note lay next to the brushes.
I picked it up and read the words out loud, “Emily, I love you dearly. Tonight, paint it all out. Sincerely, Baba.”
Emily went over to the canvas and stood in front of it.
I set the note down. “Delphine said you should not eat, but would you like some tea?”
Still staring at the canvas’s vast whiteness, she nodded.
I went over to the suite’s opened door and gestured to one of my men. “Have the hotel bring tea up.”
“Yes, sir.”
Right when I was going to close the door, I spotted Tisha in the hallway, heading my way.
