Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 140940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
I shook my head. “You’re not tired of cleaning up Lunita and washing blood out of my hair?”
Max still didn’t look pleased, but he didn’t push further.
We must do it. That’s that. There is nothing else to say.
As daunting as the task ahead seemed, the promise of a potential cure—a chance for me to integrate my divided self—gave me the courage to do whatever it took.
Kazimir’s jaw set, the muscles in his neck tensing. “I get this eye and then I return to be at my mouse’s side?”
“That is correct.” Delphine puffed on the pipe.
I shivered.
Kaz snapped his view to me. “What do you want, mysh?”
“To heal so that Lunita doesn’t cause any more problems between us. I want to keep you and our kids safe.” I swallowed. “But most of all, I want to lay next to you in bed at night, and not worry that I will wake up the next morning to the news that I’ve killed someone that I love.”
Kaz put his view on Lemon and then Max. “Make sure there are more men watching my sons. Also, get Boris here for added protection for my mouse, and call for more of Harlem Crew. Do not let Emily out of your sight. Delphine is not to be trusted. And I believe at this point, I do not have to explain to you what will happen if Emily is harmed.”
“Man, I’ve had Em’s back all our lives. Relax.” Max gazed at the house. “I just don’t want to have a fucking mental breakdown in this motherfucker.”
Delphine spoke from the porch, “Grandnephew, you too will need healing and must be next to Emily during this evening’s process.”
“And this is what I’m saying.” Max shook his head. “Shit is going to be fucking weird.”
“It’ll be good for us, Max.” My bottom lip quivered. I looked back at Kaz. “Now I have orders for you.”
“What is that, mysh?”
“You are the Lion. That means that you do not have to fight with a man named the Alligator Don. Your anger is expensive so spend it wisely. Also, take your sister with you and more men, but try not to kill everyone and make new enemies while we are here. Most of all. . .stay safe.”
“I will do my best.”
I gathered up as much courage as I could. “What do you think, baby? Can we do this?”
Kaz lifted my hand and kissed it. Determination filled his eyes. “We can do anything we want, mysh.”
I gave him a weak smile. “You’re right.”
He kissed my hand again. “Do not worry, mysh. I’ll be back very soon.”
My heart swelled. “I know you will.”
Chapter ten
The Mission
Kazimir
Hours later, night descended upon us as we rumbled down the road. The murky swamp sprawled out on either side of us like a haunted, liquid wasteland.
Wassily sat behind the wheel. His hands gripped it tightly. “Are you sure this is the way?”
“Keep ahead.” Rafael sat in the passenger seat and pointed forward. “It looks like nothing is out here, but it is a whole lot of something. There are men high up in the trees, watching and reporting back that we are traveling down the road.”
The dark sky blanketed the thin, winding ribbon of a road that sliced through the marshy landscape.
Thankfully, our SUV’s headlights cut through the darkness, casting long shadows that danced and twisted along the swamp.
Over forty SUVs drove behind us with my men and some French. We had brought enough weapons to make a military unit envious.
Meanwhile, I kept two stupid gift-wrapped boxes on my lap.
Back in Moscow, Jean-Pierre had warned us that I would need to meet with the Alligator Don eventually, and that he would want gifts.
Therefore, David had made sure I left Moscow with an expensive bottle of vodka and a gold box of chocolate-covered prunes.
This visit would be under the guise of paying him respect. The very idea made me want to kill him.
What was an alligator to a fucking lion?
However, for my mouse, I would humble myself. I would swallow down my pride and give the swamp man his gifts and as much respect as I could muster.
I will play by their rules for now.
In the passenger seat, Rafael turned my way. “I must warn you about the Don.”
“Go ahead.”
“He is extremely over the top and constantly trying to show everyone that he is the man with the biggest dick in the room.”
Tisha snorted. “He sounds like a typical gangster to me.”
“Either way,” Rafael shrugged. “I am sure the Don already knew that you landed in Louisiana and had people watching your movements the whole time.”
I frowned.
“I am also certain that the Don knows you are heading this way. Therefore, we will see a lot of theater from him tonight. I ask that you be patient and let the show happen. It will make things easier.”