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)
To my shock, I never saw Giorgio tonight. It was odd when usually he was by my side.
Yep. He sucks as my number two. Kaz was right.
Regardless, I couldn’t help but smile as I watched Kaz standing at the front of the stage with the band’s lead singer, Ivan.
Leave them alone, baby.
The scene unfolding before me was one of pure joy, a memory that would undoubtedly be cherished for years to come.
Super patient, Ivan placed a hand on Kaz’s shoulder and once again tried to guide Kaz through his signature dance steps. “As I said Kazimir, it is all in the hips.”
Max and Misha stopped talking and looked their way.
“In the hips?” Kaz stared down at his own hips and looked back at Ivan. “Not in the legs?”
“Not at all. The legs follow the hips.” Ivan did some twisting hip swing that made me quirk my brows. “See. You must let the hips flow like the river.”
“Hmmm.” Kaz studied Ivan’s movements. “But, which river?”
“It does not matter, Kazimir.” Ivan waved his hand. “Any river.”
“But, I think the river is important.”
Ivan shrugged. “Then, Volga River.”
“Aww. Now I understand.” Kaz tried to mimic Ivan’s earlier move.
Max and Misha laughed.
Oh my God. How much vodka did my baby drink tonight?
I shook my head.
Meanwhile, Kaz continued to sway his hips. Granted, he was a little offbeat, but appeared determined to master Ivan’s signature move.
“Yo, homey.” Max laughed. “You’re getting this on camera right?”
“Of course.” Misha winked at Max. “Once I heard Crucifix would be here, I had ten cameras placed around the stage and ready to record, particularly for this moment.”
What?
I glared at Misha.
“No way.” Max high fived him. “How did you know he would do this?”
“He usually does this.” Misha grinned and pointed at Kaz. “Look.”
Ivan clapped. “Yes, Kazimir. Very close.”
Kaz did some odd bop with his muscular shoulders and then a few crotch twists.
No, baby.
I didn’t know if I should laugh or hide my face in embarrassment. Either way, I could not stop my baby. He was truly having fun and this had been one of the shittiest weeks of the year. I might as well let my lion enjoy himself.
“Mysh.” Kaz turned my way and wiggled his hips. A playful grin tugged at his lips. “Look.”
Several chuckles left me. “I see, baby.”
“I may retire as the Lion and go on tour with Crucifix.”
Worry covered Ivan’s face. “Oh no. The Lion must not retire.”
“But, we must admit that I am rock star material.” Kaz did a quick turn that made him stumble to the side.
A ripple of laughter came from the other band members as they began packing up.
“Yo!” Max laughed so much that he started coughing. “I would pay to see this shit every night.”
Misha leaned his way. “I will send you the footage so you can replay this moment during your darkest moments.”
Alright. I’m going to have to shut this down.
“Baby.” I pointed to my watch. “We should let the band get back on the plane and head to Saint Petersburg.”
Ivan nodded.
Misha held up his hand. “No. Let us not rush this moment. I have a plane to take the band later.”
I scowled at the Mosquito.
Chuckling, Misha shrugged and returned his view to Kazimir as my baby continued his impromptu dance lesson.
“I definitely have it now.” Kaz’s face lit up with childlike wonder. His legs tangled a little and his balance wavered, but he was back to hip twisting and crotch thrusting. Kaz staggered to the side.
Ivan caught him just in time before Kaz fell back. Their laughter intertwined as they steadied themselves.
“Not bad, Kazimir!” Ivan patted his back. “With a little more practice, you may give me a run for my money.”
Max yelled out, “That’s one way to look at it!”
I pointed at Max. “Leave him alone.”
Chuckling, Kaz waved Max’s comment away. “He is jealous of my moves.”
I turned to Tisha. “Was Kaz always like this?”
“Yes, and I believe my cousin gets more impossible as he gets older.” Tisha snapped his fingers.
Anya pulled her hands out of his hair and went over to the other two women, who were still frowning at her.
Watching Anya walk away, I thought of how Pavel used to travel with his hairdressers. “Does she style your hair?”
“No.” Tisha smirked. “But, she does everything else.”
I grinned. “You are funny.”
“I am.” Tisha nodded. “We will have fun in New Orleans. You will see.”
I tensed, thinking about the healing that would hopefully come from that trip. “Well. . .I hope so.”
“Trust me. Your family and you will be safe. My men and I are efficient.”
“Thank you for coming with us.”
“I want to be there for Kazimir.” Tisha’s face turned serious. “I. . .have not been around him like I should, but with Pavel’s. . .death. . .I thought I should be around more.”
I gave him a sad smile. “Death does that. It makes us remember what is truly important in life—friends and family.”