Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 148949 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148949 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
Many laughed.
Ever observant, Paolo’s gaze darted around from here to there. But, I knew the moment he spotted his parents’ pictures.
Speaking in Italian, He pointed at Pavel’s and then Rosetta’s image. “Daddy. Mommy.”
“Yes.” I gave him a sad smile. “Tonight, we celebrate them.”
He pointed at Pavel. “Pictures.”
“Yes.” I nodded. “After the celebration. . .do you want the pictures?”
Paolo bobbed his head.
“Then, we will make sure your parents are in your room.”
Paolo went silent and continued to stare at the images.
Chapter 33
Feminine Problems
Kazimir
I approached Tisha and his women.
He had just finished eating the pirozhki that the third woman had been feeding him. The second wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin.
And Emily says that I am spoiled.
When I got a few feet away, Tisha raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Kazimir, finally you arrive. I thought you were never coming down. Do you know that I felt lonely and completely unloved?”
I smirked. “With so many women around you, I am surprised that you actually need more attention.”
“You would be surprised at many things, cousin.” Tisha gestured towards the women. “This is Liza, Anya, and Maria. Ladies, this is the Lion. Be careful around him. You would not like his roar.”
One of them giggled.
The other two greeted me, batting their lashes and smiling.
Tisha chuckled. “There was a time when I would have shared one of them with you.”
I shrugged. “There was a time when I would have taken all three of them from you with just a wink of my eye.”
The women laughed.
Tisha shook his head. “Oh yes, our teen years and your voracious appetite. How greedy you were back then. I do not miss those days.”
Silent, Paolo curiously looked at Tisha.
“My God.” Tisha slowly shook his head, moved away from the women, and came closer to us. “Kazimir, there is no need for an introduction.”
Paolo blinked.
“It is as if we are young again and I am staring at a tiny Pavel. The hair. The eyes. The mouth. The only thing that is missing, is that he is not picking his nose.” Tisha held out his hand for Paolo to shake and switched to Russian. “Hello, little cousin.”
Paolo leaned away and glanced at me.
I nodded. “Go ahead. He is nice.”
As if still unsure, Paolo little by little put his hand out.
“Do not be shy.” Tisha’s large fingers covered Paolo’s tine ones. “Your father is no longer here, but I am. Come to me any time in your life, whenever you are in need.”
Paolo stared at Tisha’s big hand.
My cousin continued, “I will give you anything you desire—food, money, a place to stay, women. Even an army of killers if you require it.”
I shook my head. “Paolo will never need an army. My mouse is determined to make an artist out of him.”
“Oh no. Violence runs thick in his blood.” Tisha moved his hand and gently patted the top of Paolo’s head. “He is Pavel’s son, and now yours. Mark my words, Kazimir. When this little one grows up to be an adult, he will pick up the gun, before he grabs a paintbrush.”
I looked at Paolo, wondering if that would be true.
Paolo stared back at me, his big eyes filled with innocence.
I couldn’t imagine this little boy as a killer, let alone holding a gun.
But Tisha’s words lingered in my mind, reminding me of the violent world we lived in.
And then there was the other side of Paolo’s and my situation. While I had told him that his parents were dead, I did not explain who had killed them.
That would be a conversation for another time, and I did not know how that talk would end.
Would Paolo understand when he was bigger?
Would he love me enough by then, to forgive me for what I had done?
Or would he in fact need that army of Tisha’s killers to seek his revenge against me?
Would I have to kill him?
Or would he kill me?
A cold shiver ran up my spine.
Leave those answers for another day.
Sighing, I tousled Paolo’s hair and pushed those thoughts aside. “Let’s not talk about guns and violence, Tisha.”
He frowned. “No?”
“Tonight is an evening of celebration for all those that we lost.”
“And what a celebration it is. Since when did you learn how to throw such an elegant affair?”
It was my turn to frown. “I have thrown elegant parties before.”
“No, cousin. Not to this level. While your events were not cheap, they never held this much class.”
I scowled.
“For one, there are no lion sculptures towering all over us and dripping cold water everywhere. And for that I am thankful.” Tisha grinned. “The temperature is perfect this evening. You always liked it cold as if you never considered our needs at all.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Earlier, I wiped my mouth with silky monogrammed napkins. My lips felt rich. My cock got hard as a rock from the lavishness.”