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)
Jean-Pierre snapped his view to Giorgio, probably hearing what his cousin just said. Shock covered his face.
Then, Louis chuckled on the Butcher's other side. Surely, he had heard Giorgio’s question too.
I damn near drowned in embarrassment.
Is he serious?
Before I could answer him, Emily's voice rose next to me. “But, what is plan B?”
Kazimir’s deep voice filled the room. “I already told you, mysh, that we have no time for details. It is the plan that we are doing—”
“I'm not leaving without you—”
“You will, and you will do it now.”
“But—”
“Enough, mysh! Get to the helicopters.”
“Kaz, don't make me knock you out in front of your men.”
Oh no.
Giorgio tapped his hand on the table, getting my attention.
Annoyed, I turned back to him. “What?”
Giorgio raised his perfectly arched eyebrows. “Well, do you have my panties or not?”
“Are you insane?” I whispered. “A lot is going on and you are asking about panties?”
“Yes, and yes.”
“What?”
“You asked me questions. Those are my answers.”
Unfortunately, Jean-Pierre did not put his attention back on the Lion and Mouse. Instead, he kept his view on Giorgio's and my exchange. Utter shock decorated his face.
God, what does the Butcher think of this conversation?
I gritted my teeth. “Stop asking me about panties.”
“I thought about this last night, and I believe I have a proper compromise.” Giorgio's face shifted into a serious expression. “You can give me your dirty panties, but I would want to wash them in front of you.”
Jean-Pierre blinked.
No words came to me.
Louis laughed again.
Dear God.
Clapping sounded from the door.
Happy to have something else to distract me, I checked who was making the noise.
Baba stomped in and clapped her hands again. “Alright, everyone! Before we begin the Lion's insane plan, there must be an exact number of people and certain assignments.”
Emily stood. “Kaz, you told Baba the plan and not me?”
Kazimir got up. “I did not tell her anything.”
I rose from my chair and placed myself next to Emily.
Meanwhile, the French remained seated and watching me. Giorgio still wore that quizzical look on his face as if he were seriously waiting for my answer. The Butcher just stared at me in shock. Meanwhile, Louis kept chuckling and watching me.
I stirred, wishing those three would look another way.
“No need to argue, kids.” Baba headed over to Emily and Kazimir. “Sometimes Baba, doesn't need to be told. Maxwell and David, come over here!”
They ended their conversation and walked over.
“Everyone listen carefully.” Baba pointed at Maxwell. “The Joker must be with the Lion and my grandson David.”
Maxwell quirked his brows. “The who?”
Baba gestured to the French. “The King of Diamonds will join along with the Ace of Diamonds.”
Jean-Pierre widened his eyes. “Excuse me?”
Boris rose and went over to Kazimir's side.
Louis touched his chest. “Am I the Ace or King of Diamonds—?”
“I am the King.” Jean-Pierre shook his head. “You are the Ace.”
“All of the French will go with the Lion.” Baba started counting men. “We will need three pairs of eight when you go, so that we can have a perfect 888. That will give us an unsurmountable amount of success in this endeavor.”
Emily held her hands out. “And do I go with Kaz, before you said that we should stay together and—?”
“You go on the helicopter.” Kazimir scowled.
Baba nodded. “For once, the Lion is correct. Emily, you and I leave in the opposite direction.”
Emily let out a long breath.
Baba glanced my way. “Blue will be with us, along with Valentina and her men.”
The French got up from the table in a graceful transition, almost in unison. So proper, they had apparently undid their jackets before they sat down. Now they buttoned them up while they stood. I was just happy that they had stopped looking my way, and had now put all of their attention on the matter at hand.
Kazimir glanced at Baba. “By doing what you say, all of our enemies will be dead?”
“I am not sure.”
Kazimir grimaced. “Then, what do you know?”
“Many will die today, but I believe most of them are not us.” Baba's face held worry. “All I can see is that everyone looks pretty roughed up by the end of the day, but we are alive.”
Emily stepped up. “And are you sure we need to separate?”
Baba nodded. “This must happen.”
Someone tapped my arm.
I turned to see who it was.
To my surprise, Giorgio stood next to me. “Have you considered my compromise?”
I spoke through clenched teeth, “Have you considered that we are in the middle of the war?”
“Death and fighting is always around us. Sometimes you have to seize moments of pleasure. If not, then what is the point of the fighting? What does it matter if you never truly live?”
I leaned his way. “Stop asking for my panties. I am not going to give them to you.”
“You smell amazing.” He boldly inhaled and licked his lips. “I wonder how you would taste.”