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)
“It sounds weird that you’re even calling her your aunt.”
“I’ve given this all time to let it grow on me. And even chilling with Mrs. Jones and Ava has helped. . .I’m cool with it now. I like having family.”
I pursed my lips at his mention of family.
“Look at your ass.”
I rolled my eyes. “What?”
“Getting jealous.”
“I’m possessive of you.”
“At least you know that.” Max pulled out his phone, but kept a good grip on it. “When I arrived at Aunt Delphine’s house for the first time and went into her basement, she got in my head, Em.”
I stiffened.
“She made me see all types of crazy shit. It fucked me up for days, but. . .it also made me. . .”
“What?”
“It also put me on a path to changing my life.”
“So, you think she helped you too?”
“I do, but scared me also.” Max stared down at the phone. “She’s going to scare you, Em. She’ll probably go in your head and talk to Lunita or something. Might put you in your own head and get you lost. I don’t know.”
“But, you really think she could help?”
Max looked at my gloved hands. “Anything has to be better than this.”
I held out my hand again. “I’m ready to meet your family.”
The phone rang.
Max jumped and dropped the phone. It fell to the phone.
I swallowed and stared at it as it rang loud. “What’s. . .wrong?”
Max shook his head. “I bet you a hundred dollars that’s her. She’s fucking creepy like that.”
The phone rang again.
“Can’t be, Max.”
“Every time I’ve thought about her, the phone rings and it is her ass trying to talk to me.”
“Do you talk to her?”
“Hell no. I hang up and focus on not pissing in my pants.” He pointed to the phone. “Answer that shit.”
“You answer. It’s your phone.”
“Yeah, but she wants to talk to you.”
I swallowed. “I bet it’s just Misha calling to tell you how much he loves you.”
“So jealous.” Max rolled his eyes. “Answer it.”
The phone rang again.
I bent over, picked it up, and turned it on. “Hello?”
A woman’s voice filled the air. “Spring is coming.”
Holy shit. Not Misha.
Max opened his mouth in shock, and then shook his head.
This is her.
The woman continued, “It won’t be as cold as Russia. Bring light layers, so you won’t be sweating in my house.”
I cleared my throat. “Mrs. . .umm. . .Delphine?”
“Bring both the little ones. I want to show them my garden. Tomatoes, okras, and peppers already popped up. By the time you all show up, the little boy will be able to grab some strawberries and put them right in his mouth.”
What the hell is going on?
I blinked. “You’re talking about. . .Paolo?”
“Bring him and the baby. It won’t be safe for Paolo in Russia, until your people are done finding the Shadow, but they’ll find him. Kill him good, and Paolo will be safe when you all return to Russia.”
“W-wait.” I shivered. “What do you mean? I don’t understand.”
“You got to stop breastfeeding too.” Delphine crunched on something as if she were snacking on chips or nut. “What I’ll be giving you and putting inside your body, you don’t want that to seep into the milk and have that baby grow up different.”
“What will you be giving me?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“I think it does.”
“See you soon.” The line clicked.
I looked at Max. “Holy shit.”
“I told you that she’s fucking scary.”
“But. . .”
“If you have questions about what she just said, I can’t help you. I have no idea either.”
“Wait. She said Paolo is in danger.”
“And something about a Shadow.”
“And not to breastfeed while I’m down there.”
“Which means you can finally smoke weed with me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Because that is my top priority.”
“Keep you high. Keep Lunita high.”
I leaned back and considered that. “You think that’s true?”
“Hell yes. I think if you’re mellowed out, then Lunita would be too. I don’t remember lots of Tinder Killer incidents when you would smoke with me.”
“Hmmm. Okay.”
He grinned. “Okay?”
“We’ll test that out, when I stop breastfeeding.”
“Wow. It’s time for my nephew to get regular milk?”
“Or I could get a wet nurse. Valentina had some.”
“I bet Valentina had some alright.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.”
I rose from the rocking chair. “Then, we’re really doing this.”
Max stood too. “I guess so.”
I handed him the phone. “I hope this is a good idea.”
“If not, Em, I’m going to pick your ass up and run away, and I won’t stop until we get out of New Orleans.”
A cold shiver ran through me. “Bet.”
Chapter 14
Who Want It?
Emily
I put on my holster over the gray jacket and added my guns.
“Hold up.” Max reached his hand out. “Let me see one.”
I gave him one. “You like them?”
“These motherfuckers are pretty as fuck.” He studied the gun.
An elaborate filigree pattern adorned the gun. It was delicately etched into the metalwork. I thought it added a touch of artistry to the designs.