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)
“Yes.” I glared. “He could. . .bring her or something.”
Kaz gave me a sad smile.
I wanted to pout, but I kept it off my face. “I don’t want Max to leave my side again.”
“Maxwell is the best choice. Due to his infatuation, he will be right by Ufuoma’s side, watching everything.”
“If he is in love with her then he might excuse some of her behavior—”
“Which is why the French will be there too.”
“But, what about Rocco? Surely, he will target Max.”
“That is why he will have a whole army down here.”
I shook my head. “Then, I’m staying.”
A sharpened edge laced his next words. “You will be on the plane with me, heading to Moscow this afternoon—”
“Kaz, I—”
“If I have to drag you on there, I am more than prepared to make that happen.” This time the intensity of his gaze made me shiver. “Do you understand?”
I swallowed.
“I am well aware of your bond with Maxwell. Therefore, I will make sure that he comes back to Moscow several times throughout his period of monitoring Black Axe.”
I gritted my teeth.
“Perhaps, he will get his own plane. Whatever will make you feel comfortable.”
Sighing, I closed my eyes and focused on the warmth of Kaz’s body. My heart ached. Already, I missed him and it wasn’t even time to leave yet.
“Talk to me, mysh.”
“I don’t like missing Max. I like him by my side, knowing that he is safe.”
Kaz chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“Maxwell is more than capable of taking care of himself.”
“Still, I will be worried about him down here, especially with Rocco being alive. At the bare minimum, I want all of Harlem Crew to be down here with him. Everyone except Blue.”
“Everyone in Harlem Crew?”
“Yes.”
Kaz’s chest hardened. “I planned to have Boris come back to Moscow with us too.”
I bet you did.
I opened my eyes and scowled at him. “Boris stays with Max.”
“No. He comes with us.”
“Boris stays.” I sat back up and stared at him. “It would make me feel less anxious about Max if Boris is watching his back.”
“Or do you just want to save Boris from my wrath?”
“You decide in the middle of the night to have Max down in Italy for only God knows how long, and you think you are going to hurt Boris in Moscow?”
The line of his jaw twitched.
I pointed at him. “Boris stays in Italy with Max, and nothing better happen to him.”
He sneered. “Sometimes accidents occur, mysh.”
“Don’t play with me, Kaz.”
“My people and I will not touch Boris while he is in Italy. That was our agreement.”
“Thank you.”
“But, think deeply about this.” Kaz lowered his gaze to my breasts. “The longer you protect Boris with these little promises, the more my anger grows.” He placed his view back to my face. “And then my conversation with Boris may be longer than expected and much more lethal.”
“Put your focus on helping me get control of this Lunita situation and our having a heathy baby.”
He frowned.
I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed. “Today is the day.”
“It is.”
“Should we call another meeting with everyone?”
“If I have to see the French again, I may kill them.”
“Kaz—”
“Fucking Pansies.”
I scowled.
He let out a long breath.
“Well. . .there is another option.”
“What?”
“Baba.”
He nodded. “Of course we must do a reading with Baba. I would feel better with her guidance.”
I lay back down against his chest. “Then, let’s hope that she has good things to say.”
Chapter 62
For Now
Kazimir
For some reason Baba didn’t want to do a reading with Emily, until Fela gave us the location. Did alternate visions come to her? Would particular locations decide our fate?
She refused to answer any of my questions.
Therefore, the morning dragged on with an almost unbearable suspense layering the air.
Every few minutes, I glanced at my watch and checked with King David to see if Fela had called.
Let us get this over with, Fela. Do not drag this out anymore.
There was also the Sicilians to consider. If Rocco were bold enough to go to his family and tell, the day would be violently difficult. Due to that, I had explosive teams bordering the island.
If the Sicilians come, I will bomb them.
By the afternoon, David ran around delegating orders and keeping in touch with Misha’s people. My men cleaned guns and re-checked ammo supplies. Harlem Crew and the French packed up everyone’s stuff, hurriedly making several trips to our planes and loading them.
There was no doubt in my mind that today we all would be leaving. I just wondered how much bloodshed would come.
So nervous with the waiting, Emily grabbed Paolo to do his hair. Once the boy appeared with Harlem, she turned on her phone and started one of her playlists.
Rap music rose in the air.
She took her phone and Paolo into the bathroom.
Harlem trotted after them.
I lingered near the doorway, completely intrigued with the playlist. I did my best to catch the intense lyrics, wondering what sort of songs my mouse enjoyed. Many rapped about New York’s harsh realities. Every word dripped with pain. Choruses painted melodies of street life’s relentless struggles and the horrors of tight-knit concrete jungles, where wits were sometimes their only weapons.