Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 148949 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148949 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
Best of all, the stunning gold finish enhanced their beauty. Light sparkled off it.
Max whistled. “Elegant and sophisticated.”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
Max handed it back to me. “When did you get these?”
“My baby gave them to me on the day Emilio was born.”
“Guns?” Max shook his head. “Kaz stay trying to get killed by you.”
“What?”
“Dude could have just gave you some jewelry.”
“He did that too, but I love these most of all.” I turned the gun around and showed him the engraving on the side. “You see that?”
“The shit is in Russian. What does it mean?”
“It means, you are my half.”
“That’s how Russian dudes be talking to their chicks?”
“Yes. Basically, he’s saying that we’re more than a relationship. We’re a partnership.”
“Until the gardener starts fucking your personality—”
“Max.” I scowled.
“I’m just surprised he didn’t put you in a cage or something.”
“I’m ignoring you.” I placed the gun in the holster. “In my closet, he installed several velvet-lined, glass cases for my guns.”
“You mean our guns?”
“I’m not sharing these with you. Especially, since you’re so stingy with Lemonisha.” I chuckled and happily patted my guns.
It had been a long time since I’d carried a weapon. There had been no need to touch one since returning to Russia from Italy.
Moscow was the Lion’s lair.
All enemies knew to proceed with caution.
Max watched me. “Feels good to hold guns?”
“Yeah. For some reason, they calm me.”
“And you think you’re not crazy?”
Chuckling, I headed out of the room. “Whatever. Anyway, time to focus.”
“On what?”
“We have to get things in order before we head to New Orleans.”
“What do you need from me?”
“Blue can handle most of the admin and baby stuff, but I need you to figure out what the fuck Delphine was talking about.”
“The whole Paolo and Shadow shit?”
“Yes.”
Max and I headed to the door.
“She said that Paolo won’t be safe in Russia, so he’ll have to come with us.” Max opened the door for me.
“Paolo was coming regardless.” I walked through. “I can’t be too far away from him, Emilio, and Harlem.”
Max followed me out and got to my side. “Well, Lemonisha is coming with me.”
I smirked. “Let’s hope your aunt doesn’t take Lemonisha and plant your special lady in her garden—”
“Man, don’t even play like that.”
“Speaking of that. I want some of Lemonisha’s seeds to plant in my garden.”
“Hell to the no.”
“What? Why not?”
“Kazimir killing all types of people in there and setting their cocks on fire. Blood and death sinking all in the dirt. Lemonisha’s seeds will have no part in that shit. Plus, I’m not eating any fruit or vegetables out of there.”
“Don’t say that.” I frowned. “What happened wouldn’t bother the fruits and vegetables.”
“Yo, I read that Japanese farmers sing to their crops in order to encourage growth and improve the taste. They even play classical music to help their plants grow.”
“That sounds dope.”
“Now consider the fact that Kazimir got men screaming in horror all by your plants.” Max shook his head. “Your vegetables are going to be nasty as fuck because mentally they’re fucked up.”
“Maybe, Baba can cleanse the garden or something. And I’ll have the new gardener play some jazz in there.”
“Needs more than jazz, Em. Plus, Lunita was up in the garden too.” Max sucked his teeth. “Might want to play some gospel first. Get the devil out of there.”
“There is no devil in my garden.”
“Something in that motherfucker now.”
A scream sounded far down the hallway, well past the staircase.
We stopped and scanned the space.
Then, the loud noise of running feet came next.
Max took out his gun and headed off. “Never a dull moment at the Soloniks’ house.”
I followed his lead, pulled out my gun, and took it off safety.
Two figures appeared, running from the hallway. They were dressed in black from head to toe—long shirts and pants. Black ski masks covered their heads, barely showing their eyes. Black gloves hid their hands. I had no idea if they were men or women, black, white, etc.
Their long black guns looked like part of their bodies.
They sprinted forward, moving as fast as lightning.
“Who the fuck?” Terror spread through me. I sped forward. “Be careful with shooting, Max—”
“I know. Not sure where the kids are.” He raced ahead and raised his voice. “Eh, motherfuckers!”
Their black masked faces turned our way. Fast, they looked at each other. Then, pointed their guns and shot our way.
We dove to the floor.
Gunfire blasted over us.
No!
Another person shot behind them.
I checked, not sure who it was, but the person had to be on our side.
Those shots from behind made the two figures stop and race away.
I jumped up from the floor and raced off. “Max?!”
“Not one scratch.” He got to my side and matched my pace.
I gripped my gun harder. “These shitheads don’t leave the house.”
“Facts.”
The two figures hit the top of the staircase and they didn’t run down the stairs. Instead, they hopped on the railing and slid the fuck down like they were in some damn action movie.