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)
The room went quiet except for Lunita’s sobs, which sounded like waves slamming against a rocky shore.
It was in that moment when I noticed Maxwell walk fast past me. I couldn’t see his face. I had no thought to ask where he was going. All my concern focused on Lunita.
When Maxwell left the room, she went limp against me, but continued to sob.
I lifted Lunita up and carried her to the couch. Once there, I cradled and rocked her back and forth. “I love you.”
Still crying, she moved her view to me.
“I love you, Lunita.”
She trembled. More tears left those beautiful brown eyes.
“And you will get your happily ever after, the wedding on the roof, and even those flowers in your hair.”
Her bottom lip quivered.
“I will give you all the flowers.”
“S-silly lion.” She leaned her head against my chest and closed her eyes.
I watched her slowly go from trembling to being sound asleep.
Time passed, and I pictured a little version of Emily sitting in her room in Harlem, imagining her future wedding with her best friend. Wind blowing through her little braids. Her eyes sparkling with hope and life.
And they snatched her dream away.
Jean-Pierre disrupted my thoughts, “After Emily has the baby, we should take her to New Orleans.”
I had forgotten that he was still in the room. I looked up.
Jean-Pierre wiped his blade on the couch and then strolled over to the violin case like he was having a nice evening walk in the park. “There is a voodoo woman that could possibly help Emily and Lunita.”
My expression shifted to neutral.
“Perhaps, she cannot join them into one person.” He clicked open the case, placed the bow inside, and then shut it. “But, she should be able to heal Lunita and Emily from a lot of their pain.”
I eyed him.
This moment had provided valuable information to us, but also to him. He could take it to Fela or any of my other enemies. Sometimes psychological warfare was more dangerous than bullets and guns.
I will have to kill him before we leave Italy.
Jean-Pierre picked up the case and faced me. “Since my return to Italy, Fela has attempted to contact me several times.”
I sneered. “And?”
“I have not answered any of the calls. I chose Emily’s side and I will see it through. This choice was a difficult one. A few times, I wondered if making the decision was correct.” Jean-Pierre turned his view to her. “But tonight, I am certain that I have chosen correctly.”
I studied him. “What made you certain?”
“Your love for her.” Jean-Pierre smiled. “It is worth fighting for.”
I frowned. “And powerful for those who are intelligent enough to manipulate my love for her.”
“The person who properly cares for Emily becomes a friend to the Lion.” He walked off. “By the way, we should all meet to discuss killing Fela tomorrow.”
I don’t care about Fela or anything else. Just Emily.
He stopped by the door and turned to me. “I am going to check on Maxwell. He is a good man.”
I swallowed.
“Do you need me to get anyone?”
I nodded. “Find King David, and then tell him to get Baba.”
Jean-Pierre tipped an imaginary hat and left.
Chapter 32
Roses are Blue
Blue
David and I had just left Lunita.
On the elevator, we stood next to each other and I wondered if David felt the same sickening dread that I did. What would happen tomorrow when the Mouse woke up?
Emily will not forgive herself for what Lunita did to the couple?
I knew that she would be full of so much pain. I wished I could shoot it away.
Life is so unfair.
Discomfort settled in my chest. Suddenly, my breathing grew shallow and quick.
How can I help her when I could not even take care of her this evening?
The elevator became a cold confined steel box, imprisoning me. Suddenly, I had an irrational fear that the floor would just fall out, leaving me to crash to my death.
My heart raced.
I want to get off this elevator.
My back stiffened, and my senses went on high alert. Anxious prickles raced up my arm and spread to the rest of my body.
Stop it. You're just full of fear right now.
Trembling, I hugged myself.
David must have sensed my panicked worry because he wrapped his arm around my waist and stroked my cheek with his other hand. His touch was soothing.
I shuddered and leaned against him, breathing in his masculine scent. He smelled like a man should smell—hard work and sweat, power and testosterone.
His warmth brought calm to my nerves. I wanted to stay there forever. My heart slowed to a more normal pace.
I could think better next to him.
I will just. . .ask her what she needs of me. . .and listen. . .and do my best to help her.
David brushed my hair away from my face, putting it behind my ear. His deep, baritone voice filled the elevator. “Everything will be fine. I am here for you and will always be.”