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)
David gestured at Wassily who stood by the door. No matter how many times I told David that the lights flickering were not a problem, he still had Wassily investigate.
But I knew the source.
Yes. Pavel. Your son will be protected too. Do not worry.
Chapter 17
Guilt
Emily
David handed out new orders to finalize Kaz’s absence in Moscow. Once the rest of New Orleans’s plans were finalized, Jean-Pierre and Valentina left the meeting and their screens went black.
The conversation changed to Brotherhood business. The atmosphere grew tense and brooding, with an unspoken sense of danger and menace permeating the space.
Did any of you send the spies to us?
I scanned the men gathered around the table. Most of them wore dark suits under leather jackets. Tattoos and scars adorned their hands, necks, and faces.
Some had shaved heads. Many kept their hair slicked-back.
As they watched Kaz speak, stern expressions covered their faces.
Can we ever get peace?
Under the table, I formed my hands into fists.
A searing pain shot through my gut, like a twisted knot of emotion that refused to unravel. I wanted to scream out with rage and howl for the peace that seemed so impossible—just out of reach.
If it isn’t Lunita, then it is somebody else. How do I get us back on track? How do I heal me and kill our enemies at the same time?
All around me, scarred men discussed current conflicts in other Brotherhood territories. It became long and grueling.
Kaz responded to several grievances, ending several disputes with a few words.
I remained silent and paid attention to everything. Kaz needed me to have his back and catch anything that could be missed, and I just didn’t want to. . .
I swallowed.
I didn’t want to let Lunita keep fucking things up.
Kaz might have been fine with my part in the gardener situation, but he was still pissed. Lunita killing Olga didn’t help. It deepened an already forming crack in our foundation.
Now, I was fighting mirrors and chasing after spies like a wild woman.
Further losing myself.
I have to get things back in order and make sure. . .our love is even stronger.
Suddenly, Kaz turned to me.
Everyone else directed their gazes my way.
Kaz raised his eyebrows. “Anything you need to say or ask, mysh?”
I wanted to bring up Paolo again, but there was nothing new to say. I was just desperate to keep him safe and let this enemy know that I would find them.
I tightened my fists under the table. “No. I have nothing.”
He nodded and then turned back to everyone else.
I caught Kaz’s cousins watching me.
What was on their mind? Did they accept my presence within the Brotherhood? Perhaps, they saw me as a way to get into Kaz’s ear?
Or. . .maybe they didn’t want me around at all? Were they behind the person threatening Paolo?
While I couldn’t harm Lunita, at least I had others to search out and kill. Spilling their blood could ease the pain.
I looked at my lion.
Guilt rose within my core.
Silent, Kaz’s gaze swept across the room.
The air trembled with tension.
Everyone froze.
Even I, completely unsure of what was going on inside of Kaz’s head.
Then, my lion spoke, “Whoever sent those two women into my home is my enemy. That means that this person is your enemy too. Be sure you discover who.”
My nerves stilled.
“However.” Kaz looked at them. “Life is short. Many of us in this room could be dead by the next meeting.”
What’s going on, baby?
“Come.” Kaz’s voice carried through the room. “Tonight, let us do like our fathers and brothers in the old days.”
Some of the scarred men smiled. Unfortunately, the happier expressions didn’t make them appear less threatening.
Kaz continued, “After one of his meetings, my father would get out his best bottle of vodka. My mother would rush to the kitchen, gather any food we had, and share it with them.”
Some of the men smiled and nodded at each other.
“I have vodka and cigars.” Kaz turned to Harlem Crew and then the Brotherhood. “I have cards. We can get a few tables together for Durak. This is if you are not scared to get beaten by the Lion.”
A few snickered.
Some chuckled.
What is Durak?
Kaz rose from his throne.
I followed.
Still watching the men, Kaz tenderly took my hand. “David will show you where the casino room is. If anyone wants to have fun with my new guns, the shooting range is next to it.”
David stood and gestured for them to follow.
Heading away, one of his cousins said something in Russian. It was too fast to catch, but all laughed, including Kaz.
“We will see, Roman.” Kaz grinned. “But, I guarantee you my guns are bigger, just like everything else.”
Others laughed.
And I had no idea what they were talking about, but I was happy that Kaz seemed to be enjoying himself a little.
I knew Olga’s death would be hard for all of us. But, it would hit Kaz the hardest. So many times, I had walked in on Kaz laughing with Olga and Emilio.