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 fear the Lion due to your constantly demonstrating the severe consequences of disobedience, betrayal, and even. . .incompetence.” He didn’t turn my way. “You always send a clear message. Killing his family would be on par with who you are.”
“This is what Baba—and I fear—even Emily will never understand. Hugs and kisses are fine, but in the Brotherhood, it is about death and blood. As I said before, no one with the gardener’s blood can live after what he has done.”
The line of David’s jaw twitched.
“He knew who I was.” I shrugged. “Did he not think of the consequences? Who is truly the selfish person in this situation—him or me?”
David pursed his lips together.
Still. . .I felt it necessary to further defend my choice. “My show of force today will intimidate and discourage anyone else who might consider touching my mouse or even attacking my family.”
“It would be swift, decisive, and violent action.”
“Correct. In our criminal underworld, reputation is everything. A man that is seen as weak, indecisive, or vulnerable will quickly lose the respect of his people and become a target for more enemies.”
David watched me, yet. . .I still did not think he was truly convinced.
I frowned. “What?”
“You think that people now see you as weak, after what the gardener did?”
“I allowed a man to come into my house and fuck my mouse while I slept peacefully in my bed.” Tensing, I looked out the window. “Is that not weak, David?”
“That is not an easy question to answer, Kazimir. Your situation is very different than other stories of bosses’ significant others cheating on them. The Mouse was not a willing participant with the gardener. All know that. And then there’s Lunita, who many know about as well.”
I put my focus back on him. “Go ahead.”
“The Mouse is not a weak woman. She is just as dangerous as you at times. I believe many in our criminal underworld clearly understand that fact.”
“They know how strong Emily is?”
“They do.”
Pride swelled in my heart.
“They also know how much more dangerous she is. Stories have been spreading about the Mouse’s love of slicing bodies and cutting off penises.”
I grinned. “She still scares them?”
“I am sure it terrifies anyone with a penis.” David raised one finger. “And you are in love with her. You boldly sleep next to her with no fear for your own penis.”
My grin widened. “Go on.”
“If all know that Emily and you are a dangerous force to fear. Does that not mean that perhaps. . .there is no need for more examples when it comes to this situation with the gardener?”
“How so?”
“The only person that would try to have sexual relations with Emily now would be someone who has no idea who she is. That means they are outside of our world, like the gardener was.”
I spoke through clenched teeth, “Still, he should have been scared.”
“I am sure he was.”
“Not scared enough.” Rage rose within me.
David let out a long breath. “However. . .”
I quirked my brows. “Yes?”
“What do you think of what Baba said earlier?”
I leaned my head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“She said that my job is not to make you happy. I wonder. . .if. . .to be a better number one to you. . .I should be less accommodating in certain situations.”
“Hmmm. David, I must be truthful with you.” I put my view back on the window. “I very much like being happy. I will never be the person to argue against it.”
“But, is that my job, Kazimir?”
“Baba tends to be correct on many things, but I am a stubborn fool in love. That I can admit.” I never looked back at him. “What the gardener did. . .”
Pressure built in my chest.
I cleared my throat. “It hurt me.”
David remained silent.
“Now, I want to hurt more people.” I shook my head. “So. . .I do not know the answer with this situation. Maybe, Baba is correct. Or. . .perhaps, I am the one that is truly right. Let us see how today goes.”
Silence filled the space. Surely, the both of us were contemplating the many questions of today.
Damn you, Baba for making David second guess me, and even. . .making me second guess myself.
We continued to drive through Moscow.
Sunlight filtered through the trees. Icicles dripped from branches, and my mind wandered back to how the world outside was slowly awakening from its wintry slumber.
Did the same change happen with humans?
I had always thought of how the phases of the moon affected us, but what about the seasons. And even more. . .could this change truly happen to me?
All would agree that I possessed one of the coldest hearts in the world. I had prided myself on that fact and did my best to maintain that freezing violent interior for so long.
But Emily had come into my life, and now I had Emilio and Paolo too.