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)
“I really like that name.” Valentina grinned. “I can't wait to meet her.”
“I do not like the idea of Lunita and you in a room together.”
Valentina's grin deepened. “Many would die in horrific ways.”
I placed the foot into the water. “Speaking of horrific ways to die, are you going to finally tell me about the ballerina and why you stuffed a children's book up her ass?”
All humor left my sister's face. “Emily will be upset about the Harlem Crew deaths. You will need a plan.”
“I have a plan.”
“What is it?”
“I will give her diamonds and dick.”
Valentina laughed. “You will need to do a lot more than that.”
Emily stirred in the water.
Valentina went silent.
I held the sponge in mid-air.
Blue looked down and touched her gun.
All of us remained frozen.
Soft snores left Emily.
I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding.
Blue moved her hand from her gun.
Valentina lowered her voice. “Emily left you when you bombed strangers in Paris.”
“No one died.”
“Exactly, brother. Still, she was upset.”
“Yet, I didn't let her leave. I simply gave her time to calm down so we could talk.”
“But if she decides to leave—”
“Then, she will find that there is no path away from me.” I soaked the sponge in water and squeezed. “At this point, she knows that.”
“And if this. . .Lunita decides to appear because you have upset Emily?”
“Lunita did not appear when I bombed Paris, why would she return now?”
“Those were strangers, Kazimir. Unfortunatly, she has treated her people like they were family.”
I gritted my teeth. “They had to die.”
“Of course, I understand that. However, Emily would be sad. Didn't you say that sadness was one of the possible triggers.”
Pressure built in my chest.
I dove the sponge back into the water and slipped it along Emily's leg.
“Kazimir?”
“Misha said that he was Natalya's father. When did that occur?”
Valentina glared. “I know you well, brother.”
“Do you now?”
“Your hands shook when you entered the room. Your breathing seemed hectic. Your face was pale white. Sweat covered your forehead.”
“I doubt that.”
“The last time you looked that way. . .” Valentina swallowed. “You had to tell me that mom had passed. . .”
I switched to cleaning Emily's other leg.
Valentina's expression softened. “I am your sister.”
“That I know.”
“I am here for you.”
“I know that too.”
“Lean on me for strength.”
“Valentina, you are still healing from bullet wounds.”
“Your wounds are fresher than mine. They are open, raw, and bleeding.” She scowled. “Lean on me or I will make more wounds.”
My lips curved in a smile.
Someone knocked on the door.
Blue spoke, “Should I answer?”
Nodding, I returned to wiping my mouse's leg. Her body was clean enough. Part of me was just stalling from dealing with her face and hair.
Blue opened the door only a few inches. “Yes?”
Maxwell's voice sounded. “Let me in.”
Blue gazed over her shoulder for my response.
Before I could answer, Maxwell shoved the door all the way open. “Blue, if you don't get out my damn way.”
Blue stepped back. “Maxwell—”
“He's fine.” I frowned at him.
Carrying a small radio into the room and a small beige bag, Maxwell pointed behind him. “Blue, get the towels and box of products on the floor. Bring them inside, along with the stools.”
Blue turned to me.
“I don't know why you are looking at him.” Maxwell set the radio on the counter and put the bag next to it. “You see he got her hair in a blood afro? You want Emily to wake up and kill all of us?”
Blue left the bathroom.
I frowned. “I was getting to her hair.”
“That was the first thing you should have cleaned. Get the blood out while her hair was wet. Now it's a hot mess. We'll have to wash, detangle, and do a whole blow out—”
“You said not to wake her—”
“Man, she's not waking up. She'll stir. She'll snore. But once she's in warm water, you have control for a little bit.” Maxwell pressed the button on the radio.
Jazz filled the room—hot and passionate. The music penetrated every corner of my head, easing the tension in my shoulders.
I didn't know who played or what instrument blew, but the notes were smooth and seductive. It sounded like a couple dancing, slow and sweetly, each note served as a rhythmic embrace.
The drums came in leisurely, lingering in the air like the softest caress. It accompanied the melody so well, I imagined two hearts beating together as one.
Maxwell slowly bobbed his head to the music. “Meanwhile, Coltrane will keep Emily at bay. Her mind remains still to him.”
Valentina rolled her eyes. “Coltrane?”
“John Coltrane, if you're nasty.” Maxwell looked at me. “By the way, she has to go. I can't work with Valentina around. We'll be arguing and shit.”
“I am not going anywhere.” Valentina grinned. “My brother will—”
“You should go Valentina.” I let out a long breath. “I need him.”
She widened her eyes. “What?”