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)
Yes. It is time for a second child.
Emily leaned forward on her throne as if she were about to jump out of it and rush over to the screen.
Eden rocked Marcella in her arms and then looked at us. “Nice to meet you too, Emily. Jean-Pierre has told me so much about you.”
“I hope not all bad.” Emily let out a nervous chuckle. “Because. . .I want to. . .meet you both in person one day. Umm. . .I have a son that is Marcella’s age.”
Eden nodded. “I was told that they were born on the same day.”
“Yes.” Emily bobbed her head. “They are twins.”
Jean-Pierre cleared his throat.
Emily sighed. “I mean birthday twins.”
Eden smiled. “Yes. They are.”
The women continued talking, while most remained silent.
I caught Roman frowning and whispering to his number one next to him. Surely, Roman was not used to a Perfumed Pansy sitting in a Brotherhood meeting.
Do you have a problem with my alliance with the French?
Suddenly, Roman saw me watching him. Fast, he straightened up in his seat and stopped whispering.
Marcella whimpered.
I returned my view to the screen.
“Oh, she is hungry again.” Eden gave Emily a sad smile. “Well, nice talking to you. I just wanted to say hello before you begin your meeting.”
“That’s great.” Emily waved at them. “Jean-Pierre give Eden my number so we can talk.”
A strained expression settled on his face. “I will need time to consider that.”
Chuckling, Eden rose with Marcella. “He will give it to me after this meeting, and I will call soon, Emily.”
“Awesome.” My mouse sounded more excited than I’d heard her in a long time. “I can’t wait.”
Eden and Marcella left.
Jean-Pierre turned his gaze to me.
I nodded.
Thank you, Butcher.
One of my men closed the conference room door.
Everyone turned their attention to me.
“I called you all here today to discuss my plans to go on vacation.”
Many raised their eyebrows in confusion.
“We will be leaving Moscow and going to the United States. New Orleans to be exact.” I put my view back on Jean-Pierre. “I believe that is your territory.”
“It is.”
“Fair warning. I will have a small army with me.”
“Warning noted.” Jean-Pierre crossed his arms over his shoulders. “What will you need from the Corsican?”
“I need them to stay out of my way.”
Annoyance wrinkled around Jean-Pierre’s eyes. “You must understand that the city of New Orleans has a very nuanced criminal underground deeply rooted in traditions—”
“Do you not have control of the city?”
“I do, but respect must be shown to many of the local bosses that reside in the area—”
“My respect will be not killing them.”
Some of the Brotherhood chuckled.
Jean-Pierre rolled his eyes.
I quirked my brows. “Is that not good enough?”
“New Orleans’s criminal underground is a very. . .spiritual system. We are talking about. . .voodoo and folk magic. Herbs and charms. Animal sacrifice and ancestral worship. To have a relaxing trip, you must be willing to not only introduce yourself in a proper way, but there are required rules—”
“I do not need a history lesson. Let them know that the Lion is coming.” I sneered. “And perhaps show them two pictures.”
“Two pictures?”
“A picture of the moment before I came to Paris, and then the moment after.”
Jean-Pierre frowned.
A couple of the Brotherhood snickered.
I moved my gaze to the table. “Although I will be taking Wassily and many with me, even more must remain.”
The room went silent.
“King David will stay in Moscow to oversee all operations. Remember.” I raised one finger. “When David speaks, it is as if the words are coming from my very lips.”
Valentina spoke, “Why would your number one be in Russia? He should be off with you.”
Misha nodded on his screen. “I agree, Kazimir. Your number one should be by your side.”
“David will be picking others to accompany me—”
“That is not enough.” Valentina glared. “If David is staying in Russia, then I am coming.”
I blinked. “No. I already took you away for too long with Italy. I must think of my niece.”
Valentina waved my comment away. “She will be with me in New Orleans—”
“She will not.” Misha turned left.
I was sure he could not see her, but still he scowled in that direction.
“If you must go off to New Orleans, Valentina,” Misha said. “Then, my daughter will be with me in Saint Petersburg.”
“Things have changed. My brother has gained many new allies. Due to that, the Brotherhood’s empire has greatly expanded.” Valentina sighed. “New Orleans will be safe.”
“Safe?” Misha snorted. “Kazimir and Emily will be there, therefore, the city will not be safe for anyone.”
Maxwell laughed.
Emily shook her head. “Thank you, Misha.”
“It was not intended to insult you, Emily.” My cousin shrugged. “However, my daughter will not be in New Orleans for this trip.”
I held up my hand. “You two figure that out later. For now, I am fine with my sister being my number one in New Orleans. If that ends up being the case, Valentina, then inform David.”