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)
A red-hot intense fury boiled up inside of me.
I had the violent urge to unleash immense devastation to the globe. Just start bombing random locations in Russia and throughout the world—put cities into ruins—just to shove everybody back in their place.
But, my mouse will not let me.
Walking past the staircase, I gazed at Emily.
Dread weighed heavily in the air like a dark cloud.
My mouse’s silence was deafening. It spoke volumes to the violence that could come from her if Paolo’s terrorizers weren’t found.
At this point, I did not know who’s temper was worse—mine or hers.
When it came to the ones Emily loved being hurt, she transformed from clever, gentle mouse to a fierce lioness—her heart still full of love and compassion but her deadly claws sharpened and ready to strike.
And that was just Emily.
Then, there was Lunita’s wrath, blazing with unrivaled fury and uncontrollable rage.
David, find the person, and do so fast.
I turned my view back to the path ahead of us.
If not, my mouse and I will destroy this world.
Emily let out an exasperated breath. “What’s on your mind, baby?”
“I am thinking about how we make a perfect pair. How our love is indestructible. Your softness meets my strength, your tenderness my fierceness.” Continuing forward, I glanced at her. “And our combined insanity will protect us from any storm.”
“And may even cause a storm.” Some of the worry left her eyes.
“Correct.” I nodded. “Do not worry about Paolo’s safety. Everyone is on it.”
“Nothing can happen to him, Kaz.” Her voice cracked. “Paolo has already been through too much.”
“And you have too.” I frowned. “Now let us make sure that you both are properly protected and heal.”
“I’m an adult. Paolo is a child.”
“David, Blue, and Giorgio will be on it.”
And, they better find them or someone will die.
We stepped into our new conference room.
A pleasant, woodsy scent lingered in the air, as if the staff had just finished polishing the black hardwood floor.
In the back, a glowing digital map of the world dominated the entire wall and displayed all of the Brotherhood’s territories and assets. The map was the latest in high-tech cartography. Its bright and vibrant colors pulsed with life, giving me constant real-time updates to show changes in territory, borders, and any possible disputes.
Gold had been assigned to any area under my control—unchallenged and unquestioned. And there was a lot of glittering gold.
Other colors represented various enemy territories—dark violet for the Dragon, blushing pink for the Perfumed Pansies, and so on.
Black went to the regions that had yet to be claimed.
The vast oceans that encircled the continents sparkled in brilliant sapphire blues.
Let us begin.
We continued forward.
A large walnut table stood in the center—twenty feet in length. Along the sides lay intricately carved lions leaping onto unsuspecting antelope.
Two thrones served as Emily’s and my seats. A dazzling array of jewels decorated their gold frames—diamonds, emeralds, pearls, and rubies.
The cushions were large and burgundy.
The thrones had once belonged to Emperor Nicholas II and his wife Empress Alexandra—the last rulers of Russia before the Revolution.
Once the monarchy was abolished, the thrones were lost in the turmoil of the revolution.
Later, their whereabouts fell into the possession of a Russian Oligarch owing money to the Brotherhood.
There, I stepped in and took them for myself.
Meanwhile, Emily thought that placing the thrones in the conference room was over the top.
I had to override my mouse. Thrones symbolized power. When it came to these meetings, there could be no doubt about our place.
Leather chairs surrounded the rest of the table for the others.
Everyone had already begun entering the space and getting into their seats.
The Brotherhood resided on one end.
Many of Harlem Crew had seated themselves on the other side of the table.
Blue chatted with Max as he gestured to that stupid lemon tree lounging next to him at the corner of the table.
I frowned.
Emily noticed where I was looking and lowered her voice. “Leave Lemonisha alone, baby.”
“There is absolutely no reason for the tree to be in here.”
“Lemonisha is Max’s ride or die.” Emily curved her lips into a smile. “Accept it.”
My frown softened at how tickled she looked by the tree’s presence.
At least, the idiot makes my mouse happy.
We passed Max and Blue.
I caught Giorgio sitting across from Blue and watching her the whole time like some deviant stalker—all raw hunger and animalistic desire. His gaze never left her face.
His eyes should be on my mouse, not Blue.
I leaned Emily’s way. “You need a new number two.”
Emily pursed her lips.
“Giorgio being by your side has gone on long enough. I allowed it to be nice and for the sake of your having a peaceful pregnancy.”
She looked up at me.
“Emilio is here. Lunita has come out—”
“That is not Giorgio’s fault—”
“Find a new number two, before I assign someone for you.” I guided Emily to her throne and spoke through clenched teeth, “Do you understand, mysh?”