Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 53428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Rue gathered up Kashmere’s gifts from the leaders.
Dane headed off, not answering Marcelo’s question.
The man in blue spoke, “If this is Kashmere’s guest, then we will welcome him.”
And that is Lei.
I turned to him.
On the right, the man had a hard face like a fighter, yet his warm gaze rested on Kashmere.
Rue was right. Lei will be loyal to Kashmere and the West. Perhaps, I won’t kill this one.
I studied him.
Lei’s long black hair was tied in a ponytail that fell down his back. He wore a blue leather trench coat along with a white buttoned-down shirt and dark blue pants. The curvy bumps in front of the coat told me that he had several knives and guns strapped inside that trench.
Smacking sounded in front of me.
I moved my view back to Dima in front of us. In between the time I checked out the leaders, he had taken off the plastic, cut off a slice, and began forking pieces of pie into his mouth as if he were starving.
Marcelo glared at Dima. “Do you think we can start the meeting, or should we wait until you finish the pie?”
Dima swallowed and then licked his lips. “I would rather you all wait until I finish the pie.”
Marcelo sneered.
“However, we don’t have the time.” Dima set the pie down on the table and looked at Kashmere. “After you.”
I stepped forward and pulled out her chair.
She whispered, “Thank you.”
Once she sat down, the rest lowered too. I got into my chair. Under the table, I took Kashmere’s hand, letting her know that I would always be there for her.
Four waiters rushed to the table and placed gold cutlery and crystal plates in front of us. Then, they headed away.
Dima took another bite from the pie, then placed the plastic over it, and set it on the other side of the plate. “Aunt Irene’s pies are so good I lose myself. Thank you, Kash.”
“You’re welcome, Dima. I’m sure those lovely roses were from you. Please give an extra kiss to your mother from me, I bet they were straight out of her garden.”
“They were.” Dima leaned forward. “Like me, she is heartbroken over the loss that Killer Crows has experienced. Romeo and Chanel will never be forgotten.”
“Thank you, but let’s get to the present.” Kashmere let go of my hand and placed her hands on the table. “The Coffin Cheaters showed up at my estate last night with pictures showing that you three had something to do with Pedro being missing. I want answers.”
Lei stirred in his seat.
Dima pulled out a tiny notebook and a pen.
I eyed him.
Then, Dima began writing in the notebook.
What is he doing?
Meanwhile, Marcelo glared at Kashmere. “You want answers?”
Kashmere turned to him and hissed. “Yes, and I want them now. Not later. Not tomorrow. But, now.”
“And I want answers about why he is here at an official Diamond Syndicate meeting.” Marcelo pointed at me. “And why there are at least a hundred armed Italians walking around Paradise City like they own the fucking place?”
I chose that moment to speak. “Five hundred.”
Marcelo slid his heated glare to me. “Excuse me?”
“Five hundred armed Italians are walking around Paradise, and five hundred more will land in the city by this evening.”
Kashmere stiffened next to me.
Marcelo’s eyes went wild. “And why are they here?”
Done talking to him, I moved my view along the table to get everyone’s reaction. Dima’s face hardened to stern and emotionless as he scribbled something else into his notebook.
Lei simply watched Kashmere. “We can provide answers.”
Marcelo slammed his fist on the table. Our cutlery bounced a little. “First, I want to know if Kashmere has not only declared war within the Killer Crows, but if she going to battle against the Diamond Syndicate too.”
Kashmere looked at him. “War within the Killer Crows? What the fuck are you talking about, Marcelo?”
Marcelo stabbed the air in front of him with his finger. “You think we don’t know that you have killed half of your Board, slaughtered them during an official meeting just like this.”
“How about you mind your fucking business.” Kashmere leaned into the table. “I don’t go down to the South and knock all the dicks out your mouth when you’re leading.”
Marcelo jumped up to standing position.
I rose with him, ready to knock his head off if he dared come for my queen.
Kashmere remained sitting. “Marcelo won’t do anything, Santino. He knows his place.”
Marcelo glared at her. “You think that now you’re a leader you can do whatever the fuck you want?”
Kashmere eyed him. “If I did think I could do whatever the fuck I wanted, then the South would be red, and your ass would be dead.”
Marcelo widened his eyes. “Is that some kind of threat?”
“Sit down, Marcelo, and please have respect, Kashmere.” Dima placed his notebook next to his pie. “You both are acting like idiots and extending a meeting that I don’t even want to be at. I would rather be in my bed, lying next to the love of my life. Instead, I am here with you, and the only reason why I am still here is because of the pie.”