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)
My niece waved at me but remained silent like a good little girl.
I grinned and waved back at her.
Oh, my little lioness. Your mean father will not let you come. How will I get him back for this crime?
Hopefully, Valentina could convince Misha to change his mind. But these recent days, Misha had been more dominant than ever when it came to my niece.
“I am confused.” Misha commented as he studied me. “Of all places, why did you pick New Orleans as your vacation spot?”
Not now, cousin.
“Next line of business.” I turned to the Brotherhood. “All by now must know that I have brought Pavel’s son back with me from Italy.”
To my surprise, a few of them frowned and whispered among themselves. Others stirred.
Few are happy about this.
Emily tensed on her throne. I could feel the anger radiating from her.
Be a good mouse.
She gripped the edge of the armrests but remained quiet.
I scanned my men’s faces around the table. “Someone has plans to bother the little boy. Already, two spies have been found in my home.”
Valentina’s face twisted in rage. “Where are these spies now?”
“Below. I will talk with them soon and update you later, sister.” I leaned back in my chair. “However, finding out who is behind this is my top priority. Which means it is your top priority.”
Tension filled the space.
“Therefore, you will possibly find my mouse’s people inside of your territories, asking questions and looking around.”
Tisha spoke, “Only our territories in Russia?”
“Anywhere in this world.”
Tisha widened his eyes. “I would like to head this team.”
Why? Are you hiding something? Or do you simply want to protect our cousin’s son?
“We already have enough leaders on this one.” I gestured to the other end of the table. “Blue and Giorgio will remain in Moscow to head this, and assist David with discovering—”
“Oh no. Blue will not be in New Orleans?” Valentina pouted.
Maxwell chuckled to himself.
Blue opened her mouth in shock. Like a good number one, she would not want to be away from Emily.
Meanwhile, David’s face contorted in pure irritation. He surely wanted to argue for Giorgio to go to New Orleans, but he would not do so in front of everyone.
“I do not like this, Kazimir. This is another security issue.” Misha shook his head. “Now, Emily will not have both of her people as well? This may put stress on my people with keeping their eyes on you and her.”
“Then, so be it.”
“Cousin, it is not a simple factor of so be it, there will need to be special monitoring—”
“If anyone has any problems, have them bring their issues to me.”
Misha let out a long breath. “Perhaps, Rolan should accompany you both on this trip.”
The Bear? No need.
Meanwhile, Maxwell nodded.
I eyed him. “What are you bobbing your head about?”
Maxwell looked around and then cleared his throat. “Mrs. Jones is related to some of the. . .people we will be meeting in New Orleans. It may be good to have her around.”
“What does that have to do with Rolan?”
“Where Mrs. Jones will be, Rolan will be too.” Maxwell shrugged. “I’m just saying. Respectfully, this could be a good idea to have Rolan around Em. What if the threat to Paolo follows us to New Orleans? Then, we have more skilled people around that we trust. I like the idea of having him by my side when looking out for Em and the kids.”
I turned to Emily. “Mysh?”
“I like Rolan.” She smiled. “And I trust him.”
Jean-Pierre cleared his throat.
We all looked at his screen.
“My cousin is also in New Orleans with his people. Your sister mentioned that you gained allies, and on that I agree. With your permission, I would like my cousin to stand in Giorgio’s place and provide escort—”
“Which cousin?” I frowned.
“The Comedian.”
I frowned. “Absolutely not.”
Misha spoke, “Rafael is annoying, but I do like the idea of his escorting you around.”
While I had no true favorites when it came to the Corsican, Rafael and Giorgio remained equal in aggravating me.
I sighed. “Why not Louis? He annoys me least out of all of you.”
Jean-Pierre frowned. “Louis is in Nigeria. He will be unavailable for now.”
“Then, make him available.”
Emily placed her hand on my arm.
I held in my groan. “Fine. Make sure Rafael keeps his little jokes to himself.”
Sarcasm rose Jean-Pierre’s words. “That will be at the top of my to-do list for today.”
Fucking comedian.
I placed my hands on the table and threaded my fingers together. “Now that it is out of the way, let us return to the problems of the globe. Any reports on Italy?”
Max nodded and then began to speak.
All watched him as he talked about the high numbers coming in from our recent alliance with Black Axe.
None of that mattered to me anymore.
Emilio’s face flashed in my head.
I must keep my mouse and him safe.
The lights flickered in the conference room.