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)
“Mysh.”
I blinked. “Yes?”
“Give me the gun.”
I gritted my teeth. Every cell in my body wanted to take his life.
Remember the Lion.
Blowing out a long breath, I gave the gun to Kaz.
To my surprise, he took the gun and handed it to Blue. “Deal with him after we leave.”
I blinked. “What? I can do it. I want to do it.”
Kaz took my hand and guided me away. “We have a plane to catch.”
I kept his pace. “But. . .”
“It occurred to me that Baba knew Lunita would come today.”
“Me too. I just didn't want to say anything, but I think I have control of her, so I can go back there and cut Fela just a little—”
“Absolutely not, mysh.” He continued to guide me along.
I spotted the pilots climbing back into the helicopter that we had rode in. “Hold up, Kaz. Maybe, I won't cut Fela here, but—”
“You were supposed to shoot Fela, not cut him—”
“Okay. Shoot him, but maybe we can take him back—”
“I am not falling for that again.”
“What?”
“Whatever taste is slipping along your tongue for his blood, swallow it down.” Kaz increased our pace. “While Lunita is growing on me, I do not want to see her today.”
Fuck. Maybe. . .he is right. . .Is that Lunita inside of me, yearning for torture?
Walking with him, I tightened my grip on his hand. “Okay, baby.”
“When Baba told me her visions, it scared me, so, I considered alternatives to changing Baba's visions.”
“Like?”
“Like working with the French.” Kaz sighed. “Louis had a few ideas. It appears that after some conversation that Jean-Pierre had with you, he decided to give up a few secret cards he had up his sleeve too.”
“What cards?”
“His cousin, Louis knew the exact location of Fela's children.”
I frowned.
“While they were not willing to give the Brotherhood the locations, citing my possibility of bombing everyone, Jean-Pierre did agree to have his people get Fela's children and bring them to the location before everyone else arrived.”
Sneaky Butcher.
I checked over my shoulder.
The French walked away from the beach with their captives. Some of Fela's children glanced back at him. Tears streamed many of their faces. While others glared our way.
I gulped.
Kaz continued, “Today, I was willing to do anything to keep your darkness away.”
I trembled and walked closer to him. “Then, I'm glad I gave the signal.”
“Me too. I did not think you ever would.”
“Why not?”
“Since knowing you, mysh, you have actively been stubborn and determined to always do things your way.”
“I'm the stubborn one?” I rolled my eyes. “Really, Kaz? I feel like you are the most stubborn one in our relationship.”
“No, mysh. It is you.”
Suddenly, the sharp staccato of gunfire filled the air behind us, echoing a sickening rhythm of death.
I stopped walking, unable to take another step.
Kaz paused with me.
A woman let out desperate screams, sending chills down my spine. It must have been Fara.
I looked over my shoulder and confirmed that fact.
In the speed boat, she kneeled and loudly sobbed.
I moved my gaze to the beach.
Fela's dead body lay on the sand in front of Blue. To my surprise, King David stood on her right like some mighty sentinel there to protect her.
Giorgio was on her left, no longer holding the kid and watching her.
“It's done.” I shivered. “Fela is dead. Italy is over.”
Blue placed the gun in her holster, looked my way, and nodded at me.
My eyes watered. Still, a smile curved over my face.
Thanks, Blue.
“Let us go, mysh.” Kaz tugged at my hand. “I am sick and tired of Italy.”
“Me too.” Sighing, I faced forward and walked off. “Me too.”
As we headed to the helicopter, everything felt right and perfect on the outside.
But deep inside there was one thing tugging at my soul.
Who is the original—Lunita or me? Did Fela know? Or was it just a ploy to get me to open the briefcase?
Epilogue
Fast Forward
Kazimir
Once Fela’s death was confirmed, Valentina flew off to St. Petersburg with all of her men.
At the airport, Jean-Pierre and Emily said their goodbyes near his plane.
Annoyed, I waited by our plane and watched them, making sure he kept his greedy hands to himself.
Hurry this up, Butcher.
The Butcher remained respectful, although he did hand her a shimmering gold violin case. Even from here, I could see the elegant scroll pattern decorating the edges.
Be careful, Butcher.
She took the case and opened it.
I leaned forward, trying to see what was inside.
A shriek left her as she snapped it close and hugged him.
I groaned in annoyance.
Then, she headed away with Giorgio flanking her.
Jean-Pierre tipped an invisible hat and climbed up the stairs to his plane.
Emily and Giorgio headed over. When they approached, she gestured to the violin case. “J.P. gave me my own bladed-bows. Granted, he said they were for Lunita, but I’m going to play with them for sure.”
“Why is the Butler over here?” I kept a stern expression. “Please say that it is only to escort you to the plane?”