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)
“The most loyal was not in Italy helping me fight for the safety of my mouse and baby.”
“No one told me until the end.” Tisha set his cards down. “If you had given me the orders, I would have been there, ready to fight.”
Roman nodded. “I also did not get the call.”
Nikolay pursed his lips.
“At the time, I did not know who I could trust.” I placed the cigar between my lips.
David flicked his lighter on and held the flame to the end of my cigar.
I took a deep breath. The cigar lit. I leaned away and blew smoke out. “With these new spies currently in my house, I still am not sure who can be trusted.”
David flicked the lighter off and placed it back in his pocket.
Tisha eyed me. “You are not certain of my loyalty, cousin?”
I took another puff, savoring the exquisite flavor of the tobacco and letting the smoke fill my lungs.
Tisha touched his chest. “Have I not given my life to you?”
I leaned back in my chair and blew out smoke. Wisps of it curled around me like a fragrant cloud.
Could I still trust Tisha?
I took another puff. The taste was rich and complex, with hints of leather, wood, and spice.
I thought I could trust Pavel, but he proved me wrong. Or. . .did he?
I exhaled slowly, letting the smoke linger in the air. “I will think about it, Tisha.”
“And I will patiently wait in Moscow until you have made your decision.” Tisha slowly nodded and returned to his cards. “For now, I will take this American’s money.”
Maxwell smirked. “Then, let us raise the bet again.”
“Higher?” Tisha asked. “How high?”
“Twenty million rubles.” Maxwell lit his cigar.
“Twenty million. Thirty million.” Tisha laughed. “It does not matter. It is my millions.”
Nikolay’s phone rang. He pulled it out, saw the screen, and chuckled. “My wife has special senses; she knows when I am going to lose too much. Hold on.”
The others laughed as Nikolay rose and headed off, talking on the phone.
As the night wore on, the smoke thickened in the room. The high-stakes game continued, with Maxwell and Tisha raising the bet again and again.
I watched them closely, trying to read their expressions and body language for any signs of deception or betrayal in their games.
But both men were masters at their craft, and it was impossible to tell who held the upper hand.
Maxwell won the first game.
Tisha was victorious in the second.
By the third, my mouse entered the room, and I no longer cared about cards.
She’d changed from her earlier outfit to a long sleeved off the shoulder black dress. As she strolled over, the soft material swayed around her hips in a slow, seductive rhythm. The top of the dress clung to the swell of her breasts.
All that emotional numbness shifted to many sensations—love and need, guilt and sadness.
My heart pounded in my chest.
Yet, she was my rock—my anchor in the wild sea of emotions.
“David,” I rose from my seat. “Take my place.”
David nodded and lowered into my spot at the table.
Without saying goodbye, I headed away and caught sight of Blue at one table.
There, she played Durak with some of the older leaders in the Brotherhood. Her elbows were propped up by stacked coins and piles of rubles.
The men laughed.
She winked at one.
Hmmm. Are you gathering information?
A few feet away, Giorgio stood off in the shadows watching and listening.
An odd confidence surged through me.
They are going to find the guy bothering Paolo.
I was certain of it.
Would I be an idiot to have this much hope in them? David always worked with unwavering efficiency. Blue had something to prove. And Giorgio would do anything to make Blue happy.
I inhaled and then exhaled, letting hope fill me for the first time this day.
They will have everything under control.
I made it to my mouse in the center of the room, took her hand, and led her away.
“Kaz. . .” Grinning, she kept my pace. “Where are we going?”
“Somewhere private.”
“And what about our guests?”
“You have made sure that they were fed, properly liquored, and smoking my finest cigars. You have done well, mysh.” I guided her out of the casino room. “How is Emilio?”
“A little grumpy today like his father, but he went back to sleep after feeding.”
Guilt rose at my core, pushing away the little bit of hope I had. “Do you think he knows that Olga is gone and misses her?”
“Maybe, but. . .don’t think about it.”
“How could I not?”
“Think about me. Think about Emilio. Think about all the people who are still here.”
My heart ached.
We walked down the hall. I heard the soft clicks of her stilettos on the marble floor. Her hand was warm and soft in mine, and I felt a sense of peace wash over me.
These past days had been hard, but as long as my mouse remained by my side, I could overcome it all.