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)
She blinked. “I wondered about my position, now that he has returned.”
“Max is so high he has no position or rank, so never wonder about where you fit.”
“So. . .Max is on the level of the Lion?”
“When it comes to me, yes.” I grinned. “Just don't tell Kaz that.”
Blue nodded.
“After that brawl with the Mancusos and Black Axe, it is clear you have Kaz’s and my back. I want you to stay at my side, as long as you can. You always have the option to leave.”
Doubt covered her face.
“I trust you.” I leaned her way and kept my voice low. “Who else knows that. . .I have a dark side?”
She let out a long breath. “The whole building has been talking about last night. Harlem Crew. The Brotherhood. The French. I even overhead some of the hotel's cleaning staff walking by my room in the middle of the night.”
“Even, the hotel staff?”
“They had to help Harlem Crew mop up a lot of the blood and get rid of the piles of body parts.”
I shrieked. “Harlem Crew cleaned up?”
“Max made them.”
“Well, I'll be talking to him about that.” I gritted my teeth and wanted to know more, but had to take my time. It seemed like the more information I received, the harder it was to swallow and take it all in.
Fuck it. They all know. Nothing I can do about it now.
I eyed her. “What made you go to Paolo's room?”
“When I arrived at the conference, I didn't see anyone. I checked your bedroom. No one is in there either.”
“Not Kaz?”
“I checked with King David. The Lion had an idea and organized several of the Brotherhood to clear the staff and any civilians.”
What are you planning, Kaz?
Blue continued, “My understanding was that they all met in the lobby. Clothes were brought to Kazimir. King David says they will be in the conference room in thirty minutes.” She gestured to the door. “So, I figured once you saw no one was in the conference room, your next stop would be Paolo's room.”
“Good guess.” I gently turned the knob of the door and pushed it open just a crack so that I could peek at Paolo.
Fast asleep, he lay on his back in the center of the huge bed. His hands twitched at his sides.
Most of his braids had loosened on one side of his head. I would have to redo them.
Blankets covered him up to his neck. His long lashes fluttered. Little raspy snores left his open mouth.
I'm sorry I wasn't there for you last night, Paolo. But tonight, I will be.
I took my time shutting the door and perused the men guarding him. They all belonged to Kazimir. “Where's the two Harlem Crew people I had on Paolo—Angelina and Gleb?”
Blue arched her brows. “I don't know. I can get new people here fast.”
“You stay by the door, and have Boris get the new people. After the conference meeting, find out where Angelina and Gleb went and why. Paolo must be their top priority.”
Blue pulled out her phone. “Okay.”
“I'm getting dressed. I'll be back out soon.” I headed off.
My men followed.
Blue turned to the side and spoke fast Russian into the phone.
Why would Angelina and Gleb leave? I told them Paolo was important, and our enemies were closing in.
While I didn't violently rule men like Kaz, I would kill a motherfucker over being irresponsible with Paolo. In fact, I would tear them apart with my bare hands.
Being held hostage by Black Axe for months and losing his parents, the poor little boy had been through so much. No one else could harm him.
I entered the master suite and went straight to the closet.
They all know about Lunita.
Embarrassment rose through me, setting off alarms in my nervous system. I felt so damn ashamed and oddly psychotic that I wanted to hide my head in a hole in the ground.
But, I wouldn't.
I opened the massive closet. The dark walnut floors shined like a mirror reflecting lights. The scent of lemon and bleach let me know the cleaning staff had been in here earlier this morning.
I took one step in, and the lights came on.
X would say, 'Rock up. A Black girl in this world, don't have time to file complaints.'
Still, I drowned in shame, so much that it almost choked me. I could actually taste the shame in my mouth. And it was cold like metal with a sour aftertaste of guilt.
What should I do, X?
I twisted my fingers in front of me and perused the space. My gaze traveled along the cabinets and racks full of the enormous ocean of clothes, shoes, and purses.
What should I wear?
It would have been nice to be able to put on a mask and hide in the back of the conference room.
Even something black and simple could perhaps help me blend in. But the problem was, I would be standing by Kazimir, and no one blended in next to him. His terrifyingly powerful presence always made him stand out.