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)
They all instantly went quiet and watched me.
I fisted my hands. “Where. Is. Emily?”
Chapter 22
The Eyes
Kazimir
As I glared at them, no one said a word.
Maxwell gave me a sad smile.
Nervousness etched David’s face.
Blue was the only one out of the bunch to show some courage and step forward. “Emily is fine.”
“And safe,” David added.
“Emilio and Paolo are cool too.” Maxwell nodded. “I gave little dude another bottle. Then, Baba came in there, rocking and singing to him. Nephew instantly forgot that I existed.”
The line of my jaw twitched. “My mouse did not do any feedings for Emilio last night?”
Maxwell and David exchanged glances.
My fists clenched at my sides. Rage coated my words. “Answer me!”
David stepped forward. “Emily wanted to protect you and everyone else from Lunita, so she decided to sleep in the prison cells below—”
My chest tightened. “The cells?!”
The air in the hallway grew tense and thick.
Everyone seemed to be holding their breath.
Meanwhile, my heart ached as I tried to imagine my mouse sleeping overnight in that gray, dismal space.
I had spent several months coming up with the perfect system of cells to horrify those that I needed to imprison.
The cell’s confined dimensions were meticulously crafted to evoke an intense claustrophobia. It was a terrifying psychological cage.
Every cell had its own unique temperature system. They were cold and disquieting environments that constantly provided a sense of discomfort and unease. Dampness hung heavy in the air, seeping into every crevice like a living thing, clinging to skin and hair with unrelenting persistence.
The dim flickering lighting was to evoke despair and make the prisoner feel uneasy.
I wanted them to know that they were trapped, to know beyond any doubt that there was no escape.
And that was where my mouse slept last night. . .
I gazed at all of them, ready to put bullets in every head. I clenched my teeth tightly. On the inside of my chest resided a hornet’s nest of madness swarming through me.
Slowly, I leaned my head to the side. “My mouse slept in a cell last night?”
That cannot be true. They know better.
“Look, man.” Maxwell held his hands together. “David told me that she was adamant about—”
“You were there?” I whipped my view to David. My gaze seared into him like a branding iron. “You. . .allowed that?”
David cleared his throat. “At Emily’s request, I took her down to the cells.”
There was so much rage unfolding inside of me, pressing against my skin to get out. “Where were you, Blue?”
David took another step forward. “I ordered Blue to go to her bedroom and get some sleep.”
“Eh. I get why you may be mad. I was a little pissed too.” Maxwell rubbed his forehead. “But, I just went down to the cells to check on Em. She’s chill and fast asleep on the cot—”
“Next to the repulsive toilet and cold, gray walls?” I opened and closed my hands, wondering which neck I would crack in two first. Blue was in charge of Emily, but David was in charge of all. And then there was Maxwell who’s neck I should have broken a long time ago.
As if reading my thoughts, Maxwell raised his hands up in defense. “I think that we should consider her solution.”
“Solution?” I stomped his way. “You think Emily being in a cell is a solution?”
David stepped between us.
Did David not know that his life was in danger too?
Maxwell tried to walk around David. “I’m just saying let’s not act too fast on—”
“Everyone leave. Except David.” I glared at them all.
Blue’s expression hardened.
David kept his position in front of me.
Maxwell let out a long breath. “You want us to leave?”
“Now.”
“Man, I just ask that you don’t slap David. Respectfully. Please, don’t do it.”
“Get out!” I bared my teeth and pointed down the hallway.
They all hurried that way.
Although, Blue cast several nervous glances over her shoulder as she left.
Once we were alone, David spoke. “I know you are angry, but. . .this could be a temporary solution to our problem. It is very logical for what we have been dealing with.”
I sneered. “You think I put that ring on my mouse’s finger, so she could spend her nights sleeping in some cell?”
“No.”
“Not at all.”
David’s voice was calm, but there was a hint of desperation in it. “I understand your love for Emily, but after this week, one would admit that we are running out of rational options to keep everyone safe.”
I studied him. “My history with people serving me has always resulted in my killing them. For now you are not only the best number one I have ever had, but unlike the others, I have never wanted to kill you.”
David tightened his lips.
“Until this moment. . .this. . . moment.” Rage continued to roar in my chest—potent and overwhelming. “If you were anybody else. . .this moment would have been very different.”