Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 140940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
“But, you couldn’t keep that mouth just for the Don, cher.” He stormed over to her. “Had to let others get their fill.”
“I-I’m so sorry—”
“Too late for that.” He kicked her hard in the stomach, causing her to roll backward and fall over the pit’s edge.
Her screams pierced the air.
She splashed into the tainted water. Her body created ripples as she thrashed and fought to get back on her feet, but the alligators had already been waiting to pounce. One reached for her fast, opened his jaw, and revealed rows of jagged, yellow teeth. The next second, a sickening crunch drowned out her screams. Blood spurted.
I glanced over my shoulder.
Rafael, Tisha, and Valentina were no longer behind me.
Then, let the bullshit begin.
Chapter twelve
The Eye
Kazimir
I put my view back on the Don.
With wild eyes, he watched the alligators rip the woman apart.
A symphony of bone crunching began. Red juices sloshed from their jaws as chunks of her raw meat flew in the air. A few of the alligators in the back fought to get in the front.
The Don directed his view back on me. “Now where’s that pretty sister of yours?”
You ask about my sister after getting a blow job from a woman and killing her? Many men had died for less.
I swallowed down my anger and gestured to the jar with the Eye. “That is an interesting object right there.”
“Quite the sight, ain’t she?” The Don stood on the edge of the platform. “That’s the Eye of the Gator. Brings a lil’ bit of the bayou magic to this ol’ house. You got an eye for the exotic, don’t ya, Mr. Lion?”
“I have an eye for the valuable, Don. And I believe the Eye of the Gator falls into that category.”
A low, rumbling chuckle escaped the Don. “Well now, ain’t that something? You got guts. I’ll give ya that.”
“How much for the Eye?”
The Don’s laughter ceased, his gaze hardening. “That’s a tall order. The Eye ain’t something you just give away.”
“I’m not asking you to give it away, Don. I’m here to negotiate.”
“Negotiation. Such a big word.” The Don walked over to his throne, lowered onto it, and leaned back. “Negotiate, you say? Well now, that’s music to ma ears. But remember, Lion, everythin’ in this world comes with a price. Even the Eye of the Gator.”
I held his gaze. “Name your terms.”
“My people say you visited the Bayou Banshee first.”
“I did.”
“I don’t like her much.”
“I can understand that.”
“She send you over here?”
“If I give you that answer, will you give me the Eye?”
“I do not believe that would be fair.” He put his gaze on the jar. “The Eye has been in my family for generations. She’s more than a trinket to me, she’s part of ma heritage.”
“I am willing to give you land.”
“I have land.”
“Not around the world. Name a city. Country.”
“Everything I need is in the swamps.”
“Then, name a price.”
“No suh. If I let this Eye go, it has to be for someone who has proven they deserve it.”
I leaned my head to the side. “And what does that mean, Don?”
The Alligator Don’s smile widened into a toothy grin as he pointed to the space that stretched between us—that pit of munching alligators. “See, Mr. Lion. The only way you can get the Eye. . .is if you fetch it yourself.”
I scowled. “You expect me to wade through a pit of alligators for the Eye?”
The Don’s expression was nonchalant. “That’s the price, Lion. Fetch the Eye and it’s yours. Fail...well, I reckon the gators will appreciate the meal.”
No sound came from outside the door. I had no idea what Valentina, Tisha, and Rafael were doing. What I did know was that I had to get to the Eye before the Don was signaled and rushed off with it through that back wall exit.
But how?
I could fight men. I could even dodge a few bullets here and there, but creatures were different. They were primal, unpredictable, and very, very hungry. The thought of diving into that swirling chaos without a weapon sent shivers down my spine.
The Don waited for my answer.
I glared at him. “Is this your idea of a serious negotiation?”
“More like an initiation, Mr. Lion. Only those worthy enough, who show true bravery and guts, can claim the Eye. I can’t just give it away to any linen suit-wearing pretty boy.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, and before I could respond, the door crashed open.
Finally.
Valentina and Tisha appeared. In a swift motion, Valentina had one of the men in a headlock, her small knife pressed against his throat, while Tisha had the other man at gunpoint.
They dragged their hostages into the space.
Good Job.
Valentina looked calm and deadly as she kept the man in her grip.
I turned back to the Don. “I think it is time to renegotiate. What do you think?”