Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 248926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1245(@200wpm)___ 996(@250wpm)___ 830(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 248926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1245(@200wpm)___ 996(@250wpm)___ 830(@300wpm)
“It can’t be later, I want the couple for Paolo hidden from Baba. They can’t meet her—”
“What couple?” Emily walked around me, holding ties. “For Paolo? What about Paolo?”
I stiffened.
When the hell did she open the door? She is starting to move too silently.
Emily looked at David. “Why are we hiding this couple from Baba and what does it have to do with Paolo?”
David pursed his lips.
Emily turned her view to me. “Somebody better say something, before I pull my guns out.”
I sighed. “I thought it would be better to discuss this after our meeting over Black Axe.”
“Why?” Her face went to a neutral expression. “Because I would be mad?”
“I do believe you would be upset.”
David edged away. “I will give you two privacy.”
I shook my head. “Stay here.”
“Yeah, David. Stay.” Still holding the ties, she crossed her arms across her chest. “You may need to protect the Lion.”
I frowned. “We found a couple in Italy that takes care of children. They have been thoroughly researched—”
“What does this have to do with Paolo?”
“You know what this has to do with him.”
She spoke through clenched teeth, “Paolo is supposed to be in Russia. That’s what Pavel wanted—”
“Pavel is dead. He has no voice. I know that because I took it from him.” I touched my chest. “Meanwhile, I am the fucking Lion, and I say that the boy remains in Italy not—”
“And you think this couple is taking Paolo?”
“Mysh, I want you to meet them and see if you feel comfortable with—”
“I do not even know these people.” Her bottom lip quivered. “How could I know them?”
David cleared his throat. “They were thoroughly researched.”
“Researched? Foster parents are researched and go through all types of assessments. Still, that doesn’t mean many of them don’t touch. . .” She shivered and inched back. “S-sometimes. . .they can. . .be bad too.”
She swayed, but didn’t fall.
“Mysh?”
The ties fell from her hands.
“Are you okay?” I reached out to touch her.
She moved away. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Fine, guys.” She raised her hands in the air. “You found some couple. Then, I will meet them.”
I studied her. “Right now?”
“Now.”
“We can do that after the meeting. Perhaps, sit down with them for dinner so that you can question them as much as possible.”
“Now.” She glared at me and then turned to David. “Where are they?”
“First floor.”
“What room?”
David looked at me as if asking for permission.
I nodded.
“Room 111.”
She rolled her eyes. “Where’s Blue?”
David spoke, “Blue is standing outside of this suite. She wanted to have an eye on your door and the boy’s room.”
“Cool.” Emily headed back into the closet and slammed the door shut.
Fuck.
The ties remained on the floor.
David picked them up. “I am sorry. I tried to warn you—”
“That was a very shitty job of warning me.” I snatched the ties from him.
“We need a clear symbol.”
“How about you jump up and down and yell Emily is behind you.”
David widened his eyes. “Are you serious?”
Pain throbbed at the front of my head. “This is going to be a long evening, and the sun has not even set yet.”
“I have people keeping Baba busy. What should I do for Emily?”
“Remain out here. I have to get dressed.” I opened the door and headed back inside the closet. Once in, I threw the ties to the side.
Emily already had jeans on and a black bra. Quickly, she grabbed a buttoned up white blouse from a hanger.
I spotted my black jogging pants on a shelf and picked them up. “Mysh?”
She yanked the shirt off the hanger. “What, Kaz?”
“You knew this day would come?”
“But, not today.” She slung the hanger on the floor. “You know that. . .I. . .just. . .fuck it. I give up.”
I stepped into the jogging pants. “What? We should talk about this.”
She buttoned up the shirt. “Should we?”
“Yes.”
“We didn’t talk about David finding people. Did you order him to do that?”
I pulled the pants up. “I saw that this problem was becoming bigger with each day—”
“Paolo is not a problem!” She scowled at me.
“You know what I am saying.”
She lowered her voice and went over to her heels. “I know.”
“I have already explained why we could never keep him.”
“I know.”
“Then. . .”
“I just. . .” Her fingers shook at her sides. She quickly picked up a pair of black heels.
I grabbed the first black shirt I could find and put it on. “Mysh, let us figure out a way where this can go smoothly.”
Quietly, she put the heels on. “There’s no smoothly, Kaz.”
“We could find ways.”
With the heels on, she turned to me. “Kaz. . .”
“Yes.”
“I. . .” Her eyes watered.
I tried to walk over to her.
She held her hands out in front of her. “Don’t.”
“Talk to me.”
“Kaz. . .” Her voice cracked. “I love Paolo.”
I let out a long breath.
She whispered, “I tried not to. I. . .really did. I swear.”