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)
“Em, stop!”
“Kill who?” I grabbed her by the hair, yanked her head back, and slammed it into the metal edge of the bed.
When her skull made contact with the cold steel, pain surged through my knuckles.
“Em!”
Over and over, I slammed her head into the metal again and again until her body went limp. Until blood gushed out, soaking her blonde hair and spilling onto the floor.
When I knew for sure that the bitch was dead, I got up slowly and took deep breaths to calm myself down.
Blood dripped from my hands.
Weeping filled the space.
I turned around.
Kaz and David were now further inside the cell.
In the corner, the brown-haired woman wept on the floor.
Max dove into his pocket and whipped out his knife. “Move, Em.”
I stepped to the side.
Max went over to the dead woman and lifted her arm. With his knife, he began drawing a smiley face on her skin.
Sighing, I faced the brown-haired woman weeping in the corner. “You tell my people everything about this guy, and they will save your family.”
Trembling, the woman looked up.
More tears left her eyes.
“But, if you lie or put my people in harm’s way, not only will I carve up you and then your husband, but those cute little daughters too. . .I wouldn’t even want to do it, but I would. . .right in front you. I would let you see it all. . .and I would do it because you came for mine.”
She whimpered.
“Kaz, I’m going to check on the kids.” I gazed over my shoulder and stared down at the blonde’s motionless body for one last time before turning away and leaving the room without another word.
Chapter 24
The Decision
Kazimir
Minutes later, I found myself in my office with Tisha. He was dressed in a designer suit. Its tailored fit accentuated his strong physique as he towered over my desk.
Today, his black hair flowed around his face, giving him a more relaxed appearance.
That striking red rose tattoo adorned his neck, its petals seemingly in full bloom, while his mother’s name elegantly flowed along the stem in delicate script.
Wassily stood by the door. His posture was alert and attentive. Since Italy, he had been on point and truly proving himself to be a good pick.
Meanwhile, David remained by the wall with his eyes focused on my cousin, observing him carefully.
Tisha will be a hard sale for David. Let us see if my cousin can convince David of his loyalty.
Tisha’s intense blue gaze settled on me.
I could feel the weight of his attention. There was a certain determination in his eyes. Tisha was the sort of man that did not like to hear the word no. While he would not harm David in front of me, if David said no, Tisha would find a way to do something.
Tisha leaned his head to the side. “Have you made your decision about my coming to New Orleans?”
“I have not.”
Tisha widened his eyes. “Why not, Kazimir?”
I looked at David. “What are your thoughts?”
Tisha snorted. “Will this king be the person who gives the final decision?”
“I hold David’s opinion highly.”
Tisha sneered. “What is a David? How long have you known this man?”
I gestured to the chair near him. “Sit.”
David continued to study him. “Tisha, why do you think that you should go with the Lion?”
Still sneering, Tisha lowered into the chair and kept his view on me. “I have known Kazimir all my life and protected him many times.”
David didn’t appear impressed. “I could go out in that hallway, pull six random men in here, and they would be able to say the same thing. Once the Lion took the throne and was able to eat, all of his siblings, cousins, and friends feasted too.”
Tisha slowly turned and glared at David. “I am not like them. I have always been loyal to Kazimir. I am from the time when Kazimir and I were rummaging through trash cans to find food. I was loyal then, and will continue to be loyal.”
I should have cared about this conversation. If Tisha were truly loyal, he would be a powerful force in New Orleans. If Tisha was a hidden enemy, then more problems could arise.
Yet, my mind kept drifting to thoughts of my mouse. Her choice to sleep in the cell couldn’t have been an easy one, and I couldn’t help but worry about her wellbeing.
As Tisha spoke, his words faded into the background, overshadowed by my concern for my mouse. I couldn’t shake the image of her, alone and vulnerable in that cell.
And Lunita. . .she came out. . .
I had not told her yet, but I would need to soon.
Mysh. . .
I longed to see her face, to know that she was safe and protected.
Where are you, and what are you doing?
I dove into my pocket and pulled out my phone.