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)
I have to take care of him, and get myself, my family back in order.
Everyone began to leave.
Kaz faced me, raised my hand, and kissed my fingers. “Are you okay with our having guests this evening?”
“Of course, baby.”
“I have ulterior motives for the party.”
“Like what?”
“I will explain soon. Where are your people?”
“Outside.” I leaned my head to the side. “What ulterior motives.”
“I will tell you in front of them.”
“Okay.” I watched him rub his eyes. “Please, don’t forget that you need your sleep tonight, so regardless of your ulterior motives, we won’t have the guests around too late.”
“Sleep?”
“Yes.”
“Is that all I will need for tonight?”
I smirked. “You can have whatever you want this evening.”
Hunger coated his voice. “Is that correct, mysh?”
My body warmed. “Yes, baby.”
“Then, perhaps I will kick our guests out.”
I chuckled. “That’s cold. We can’t do that.”
Kaz guided us away. “No?”
“No.” I looked at him. “By the way, what’s Durak?”
“It’s an old Russian card game. Durak means fool.” Kaz tightened his grip on my hand. “The objective is to get rid of all your cards. The last player still holding cards is the fool.”
We left the conference room.
Several of our guards followed.
Wassily, Max, Blue, and Giorgio stood in the hallway.
Blue and Giorgio appeared to be in the middle of a conversation.
Watching them, Max held Lemonisha, shook his head, and leaned against the wall.
What’s going on?
Once they spotted us, Blue and Giorgio went silent.
Kaz looked at them. “Do we have a problem?”
Blue straightened her expression. “No, sir.”
Max shook his head. “Blue isn’t happy about not being able to go to New Orleans and protect Em. She thinks her or Giorgio should go too.”
I stepped forward. “Blue, I need you finding the motherfuckers behind putting the spies in the house.”
Blue pursed her lips. “Respectfully, you will have Paolo and Emilio with you in New Orleans and need more protection—”
“Max will be with me.”
“More people should also be with you—”
“Like a proper number two?” Kaz scowled. “If you force Giorgio to go to New Orleans, we both know that he will not have his mind on my mouse.”
Giorgio didn’t say anything. Instead, he watched Blue with a neutral expression.
With his free hand, Kaz pointed at Blue. “You are correct about more people coming. That means you have less than three days to find my mouse a proper number two.”
Blue widened her eyes. “Yes, sir.”
“Make sure the person is hungry, loyal, and skilled in killing enemies fast. Test them if you need.”
Max added, “And make sure I’m the final judge. I don’t like new people around Em unless I’ve felt their energy first.”
“Okay.” Blue dug her hands in her pockets.
“This party. . .” Kaz lowered his voice. “It is about more than cards and my father’s traditions.”
Max raised his eyebrows.
“I want you all to spend time with them. Get to know everyone in there. Names. What they own. Any interesting information.” Kaz pointed at them. “Many will talk under enough vodka. Make note of it all.”
I looked at him. “Do you think the person behind the spies could be in the casino room?”
“If not the person, then someone who knows about it?”
Kaz glared at Giorgio and then Blue. “Make yourselves useful and find the person.”
“Yes, sir.” Blue swallowed and headed off.
Giorgio followed.
Max got ready to head away.
“No.” Kaz put his view on Lemonisha.
Max stopped heading forward and turned around. “What?”
“If I see that tree in my casino room, I am setting it on fire.”
Max scowled. “Man, I wish you would stop hating on my tree—”
“And I wish that you would stop bringing it around.” Kaz gestured at Lemonisha. “Not only will that tree not be in my casino, it also does not come to New Orleans with us.”
“Shit.” Max chuckled. “Lemonisha’s bags are already packed, partner.”
A cruel smile spread across Kaz’s face. “Then, I guess we will be having lemonade.”
“Eh!” Max set Lemonisha down. “You need to chill. I didn’t come into your little conference room hating on those stupid as thrones that were clearly overcompensating for your big ego and little dick.”
“What did you say?” Kaz let go of my hand and headed to him.
Wassily got to his side.
“What are we doing, guys?” I got between them. “Calm down. We are all stressed and tired.”
I faced my baby. “Let’s just relax.”
Kaz scowled. “Idiot.”
Max sucked his teeth.
I placed my hands on my baby’s chest. “In fact, Kaz, go ahead to your guests. I will make sure Max puts Lemonisha up. Then, I’ll check on the kids and return.”
Kaz glared at Max.
“Also, I loved when you said that after your father’s meetings, your mother would go off and gather food for everyone.” I moved my hands from him and touched my chest. “I’m going to do that and make sure the chef brings out the most perfect items.”
Kaz slowly put his gaze on me. “What are you going to tell the chef?”