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)
“You’re going to sleep. Now.” I took his big hand and tugged it.
He stared up at me like I was crazy.
“You have had enough vodka and cigar smoking for this evening.”
He frowned. “Are you ordering around the Lion?”
“I am.” I struggled with making him get up.
When he finally stood, I dragged him away.
It took several more minutes to get Kaz out of our special space and to our bedroom.
Tonight, K.D., Giorgio, and ten guards sat in chairs outside of the door. I was glad that they had clearly let Blue go to her room and get some sleep.
With these two, she’ll be safe in Moscow while I’m gone.
Still, I frowned, knowing both men hadn’t gotten much sleep yesterday and would not be getting much tonight.
This bullshit has to stop, and I’m going to stop it.
I got Kaz into the bedroom.
Once there, he collapsed onto the bed and closed his eyes. “Come, mysh. Lay next to me.”
I stared down at him, wanting to do just that, but knowing. . .I couldn’t.
So, I lied, “Let me check on Emilio and I will be right back.”
He yawned again. “I will come with—”
“No, baby. It will be quick.”
He groaned but didn’t open his eyes.
“Trust me. It will be super-fast.”
He let out a long breath and rolled onto his back. “Hurry.”
“I will.”
By the time I made it to our bedroom’s door, his snores sounded from the bed.
Poor baby. He was beyond tired.
I quietly left Kaz.
If I am not keeping him busy, then Lunita is.
When I stepped into the hallway, K.D. pulled out his gun and studied me.
I stopped in front of him and held out my hands. “It’s me, David.”
He eyed me.
Giorgio did too.
“Seriously.”
“Understood.” K.D. rose, stretched out his arms, and cracked the side of his neck. “We still should walk with you.”
I frowned. “Okay. First, I have to check on Emilio.”
K.D. yawned and got to my side. “First?”
“Yes.”
Giorgio followed us, along with five other men who pulled their guns out.
After last night, everyone is on guard. Good.
We made it to the nursery.
There, several men flanked the doorway.
All stared my way, probably assessing if I was Lunita faking it or if it was really me.
I swallowed and entered the room.
Max loudly snored in the rocking chair. An almost empty bottle stood on the small table next to him.
Thanks, Max. You are an amazing uncle. I love you so much.
I tip toed over to the crib and looked over.
Emilio slept on his back.
I love you too. So much it hurts. So much that I will do anything to protect you.
I pulled the blanket up to his chin and softly kissed his brow before turning and leaving.
A soft gurgle left him.
Smiling, I headed out of the nursery, entered the hallway, and walked in the direction of the stairs.
“Now for the second thing.”
David got back to my side. “Can I help you with anything, Emily?”
“Yes.”
He raised his eyebrows. “What do you need?”
“I want you to help me do something that may aggravate Kaz but keep him protected.”
Tension rose in the air.
Giorgio and the guards followed us as we made our way down the hallway, passing several rooms.
David cleared his throat. “What do you want me to help you with?”
When we approached the top of the stairs, I headed down the steps and gave David a sad smile. “When Kaz wakes up, just tell him that you could not convince me to—”
“Emily, if you want to leave this estate, I will not—”
“I would never put you in that crazy of a position.” I continued down the stairs, increasing my pace. “I’m not trying to escape.”
David hurried with me. “Then, what do you want me to do?”
I stopped at the bottom of the stairs. “I want you to lock me away in one of the cells. Of course I will not be by the spies. . .for their safety and mine.”
David widened his eyes. “What?”
“Baba said that Lunita would not come back out in Russia, but. . .” My bottom lip quivered. “I need to be certain. I have to step in and guarantee that there will be no more problems from her.”
David rubbed the side of his head. “I cannot. . .no, Emily. I understand why you want to do this, but—”
“You know it would be safer for everyone to get some fucking sleep tonight, if I am locked up.”
“Emily. . .”
“You know it.” I raised my eyebrows. “Don’t you?”
David pursed his lips together.
I turned to Giorgio. “Am I right, Butler?”
He shrugged. “You are.”
David glared at him.
I grinned. “There we go.”
“Hold on.” David shook his head. “I am still not—”
“I go into a cell, my usual night guards stand outside of it.” I headed off. “That’s what we are doing. Please don’t fight me on this.”
Sighing, K.D. walked on my side.
“Let Emilio’s and even Paolo’s guards know where I am at. Therefore, if they wake up, then my guards can get me—”