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)
She looked up at me. “I talked to Baba. She sounded weird.”
“Since Italy, she always sounds weird.”
“She wants to go to New Orleans.”
I sighed. “With David remaining here, I would not separate them. Baba remains in Moscow.”
“I was thinking something like that, but Baba demanded that she come.”
I stopped us in the middle of the hallway and faced Emily. “Did she say why?”
“No, but she looked sad.”
“Like in Italy?”
“Yes.”
“But, we survived Italy and she was fine.”
“True.”
“Then, we trust Baba and let her come with us to New Orleans.”
Emily let out a long breath.
I leaned my head to the side. “You think we should say no?”
“Even if we did, she would still come.”
I took a step closer to Emily. My hand still held hers. “Then, what is wrong, mysh?”
She looked up at me. “Now that we have Paolo and Emilio, every step must be on point in New Orleans. No mistakes. No mishaps. No making new enemies.”
I stepped closer, until our bodies touched. “A lion’s job is to protect his pride.”
She gave me a sad smile. “And. . .I think some of the ways you can protect us and yourself is by. . .”
“What?”
“Well, J.P. mentioned traditions and rules to the criminal underground in New Orleans. I think we should hear him out, and if the Comedienne has some tips too, we should—”
“What? Carry them out?” I chuckled, but she didn’t laugh with me. “Mysh?”
“If these leaders need a certain respect, Kaz. . .would it hurt us to do whatever is necessary to keep everything peaceful?”
“You think I became the Lion because of my natural ability to follow traditions and maintain peace?”
“Kaz. . .”
“Should I curtsy every time I see these so-called bosses of regions within towns, when I rule continents?”
She smirked. “You do not have to curtsy.”
I raised a brow. “Then what do you suggest, mysh? That I bow down to them?”
“No, of course not. But maybe a little respect can go a long way, Kaz. We can’t just barge into New Orleans and expect them to accept us with open arms.”
Olga’s face flashed in my head.
The line in my jaw twitched. “I will. . .do my best to be. . .respectful.”
“That’s all I ask, baby.”
I leaned in and kissed her forehead. “Anything for you, mysh.”
“So. . .” She looked around the empty hallway and then turned her view back up to me. “I know you probably want to go upstairs and—”
“Fuck.”
She grinned.
“Your legs in the air. My cock deep inside of you.”
She stepped back. “I was thinking that since we have a small amount of time in Moscow, we should go downstairs and talk to—”
“The women?” I shook my head. “No.”
She pursed her lips together.
“We wait for our guests to leave. We get some sleep. After breakfast, we have Blue, Giorgio, and David there, and then, we question them.”
“I’m nervous about waiting too long.”
I frowned. “Or are you eager to cut them?”
“I’m tense and mad that they thought they could come for Paolo. I’m tight with anger. You know cutting them helps me release.” She looked at the floor. “But. . .”
I studied her.
“If you don’t think it is a good idea, then I won’t.”
“There are other ways I could help you release that tension.”
She raised her view to me. “There are?”
“Earlier, you told me that I can have whatever I want tonight.”
“I did.”
“Go upstairs, mysh.”
Chapter 19
Pleasure
Emily
The day was almost to an end.
Kaz wanted to make love, and I could think of nothing better than his body pressed against mine, his cock moving inside of me, and his arms wrapped around my body.
I needed his tenderness and passion.
But, there was fear in my heart too.
We were both jittery today and struggling with heartbreaking moments.
Even in this moment, there was a silence as we headed upstairs.
I looked towards Kaz, quietly yearning for more assurance that our love would be strong enough to deal with all of this.
Would our relationship survive this? Or would we be defeated by constant, horrifying darkness?
I hope not. I can’t lose him.
As if Kaz sensed my fear, he placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me up.
We made it to the top of the stairs.
I tried to turn left toward our bedroom.
“No, mysh.” To my surprise, Kaz directed us to the right.
“Where are we going?”
“I wanted this to be a surprise on our first date night.” He led us down the hallway, passing Emilio’s nursery, Baba’s room, and even Max’s door.
“What was going to be a surprise?”
We hit the end of the hallway. Only the wall stood before us.
He stopped us right there and placed his hand in his pocket.
I looked at him. “What’s going on?”
Kaz pulled out a silver disk.
“What is that?”
A wicked smirk spread across his face. Then, he pointed the disk at the wall and pressed it.
A beep sounded.
“What?” I turned back to the wall. “No way.”