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)
“Which means?”
“What? You all don't have game in Russia?”
“What game?”
He sighed. “Be as truthful as possible with your hoes, keep a gun under your pillow, and wear protection when you fuck any of them.”
“O-kay, but what have you heard?”
“You're attracting the attention of dangerous motherfuckers.”
“Hold on. First tell me about the roses.”
“I'm not telling you who sent them.”
“Why not?” I widened my eyes. “Maxwell, please help me. I'm your little—”
“Oh, hell no.” He wagged his finger. “I don't want any parts of this situation. Shit is about to get crazy enough with Em. I need to focus—”
“But, just tell me who you think sent these—”
“Did you hear the part about my wanting no part in this?”
I frowned. “I just don't see why you can't give me a little hint.”
“You'll see why later.”
“When?”
“Management.”
“Max—”
“Keep your hoes in line, Blue.” Winking, he left and closed the door behind him.
But, who sent them?
I went over to the table and stood in front of the large bouquet of blue roses. Each stem held a deep indigo bloom with swirls of baby blue and white. The petals shimmered like spun silk, iridescent and beautiful.
They sat in a crystal clear vase, exuding pure elegance. I ran my fingertips along the soft and silky petals.
Was it King David?
My body hummed from the possibility. I imagined his strong arms carrying them to my door and placing them on the floor.
But. . .I thought he was going to wait until Moscow to romance me.
Plus, David had been so busy last night. His eyes had been red from no sleep. Every time I turned his way, he talked on the phone, delivering orders here and there.
I don't know. . .
I leaned forward and inhaled the roses' lovely fragrance. They reminded me of an expensive bottle of perfume.
Giorgio's face flashed in my head—gorgeous and chiseled. It was easy to imagine him strolling to my door with his gloved hands holding the vase. I even imagined him bowing ever so elegantly as he placed the vase in front of my door, his face the picture of calm.
Could it be. . .Giorgio?
Regardless of which man sent them, I couldn't lie. My heart soared at the possibilities. Regardless of which one, it had been a long time since a man had given me flowers.
The last person had been Adrian, although he couldn't afford roses, especially dazzling blue ones.
O-kay.
I touched the blue cross hanging from my neck and twisted it between my fingers.
Why didn't the person leave a card? Why make it a little mystery?
Maybe, my rose deliverer assumed that I would know it was from him. Perhaps, David or Giorgio would take me to the side and confess it.
I will just have to wait.
All thoughts of cleaning the weapons left me. Now I had this mystery on my mind, and I was desperate to solve it.
Even more important, I tried to figure out who I really wanted the roses to be from.
Giorgio had aggravated the shit out of me in these past days. If anything, it would be a nice gesture from him. Perhaps, I would stop giving him such a hard time.
But. . .if it were Giorgio. . .he probably would have knocked on the door and demanded a clean pair of panties.
I crossed my arms over my chest and studied the roses some more as if they could give me a clue.
King David hinted at wanting to romance me. In my mind, roses served as a romantic gesture. One of those phone calls that I saw him focused on, could have been a floral shop.
But. . .
I reached my hand out to the vase and picked up one of the roses.
Which one of you gave these to me?
Chapter 13
Root Level
Emily
Upon meeting up with Baba in front of the hotel, she had simply nodded her head and started walking at my side.
This morning, she had her gray hair pulled back into a small ponytail. She wore a simple dress that was light blue with pink flowers.
“See you at the meeting, Em.” Max headed off. “I'll wake up the rest of Harlem Crew.”
Both quiet, Baba and I stood in front of the elevators. Several of my people surrounded us.
I didn't mind her silence. My entire world had been turned upside down. So much had occurred I needed a few minutes to piece everything together. Plus, the conversation with Max had ripped at my soul and left me raw and aching.
The elevator doors opened with a soft hiss.
I stepped on.
Baba followed.
When we turned around, she held her hand up to my men. “Take the next one. We need to talk.”
I quirked my brows.
They looked at me.
I nodded, intrigued with where this would be going.
The doors closed.
The elevator rose.
I put my attention on her.
She gave me a sad smile. “How was your walk on the beach?”
“This question is why you wanted privacy?”