Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 248926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1245(@200wpm)___ 996(@250wpm)___ 830(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 248926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1245(@200wpm)___ 996(@250wpm)___ 830(@300wpm)
“Why is the older woman next to Salome covering her ears?”
“She doesn’t want to hear the Saint’s final screams.” David gestured to the signature in the pool of John the Baptist’s blood. “This is the only painting Caravaggio ever signed.”
“Why?”
“Not sure.”
I smiled at him. “Why do you know so much about art?”
“Have you not met Baba?” He chuckled. “She demanded I learn as much as possible. I read more than most kids. When she didn’t have me in church, we were in a museum or art gallery.”
“You’re lucky to have her.”
He beamed. “I am.”
Screaming sounded from within the suite.
David widened his eyes. Fast, he went to the door and began to open it. I could tell on his face that he was uncertain if he should, but he did it anyway.
This was why King David was the one to stand next to the Lion. He made the difficult decisions that others were too terrified to even consider.
Once David slowly opened the door.
The Lion roared on the other side, “No!”
Still, David pushed it open another inch. “I heard yelling and wanted to make sure—”
“Don’t interrupt us!”
The door slammed shut.
David stared at it.
Swallowing, I looked away.
David returned to his position on the other side of the door. “I have had three hours of sleep so maybe I am more tense than necessary.”
“We are all on edge.”
“Still, I like serving the Lion. My only worry is. . .”
I looked at him.
“I do not want to serve a Herod and Herodias.”
I stirred. “You think. . .the Lion and Mouse will be like that?”
David shook his head. “Not now, but. . .”
I quirked my brows.
“If moments like this continue, then only God knows what could come.”
“You don’t agree with them torturing the men?”
“Not for fun. It creates blood lust. All of us have it in this field or we wouldn’t be here, but. . .” David exhaled. “One must be disciplined with their blood lust and need for violence.”
I lowered my voice. “The Mouse wanted to do it. That’s not like her.”
“Baba gave me a reading this morning, after avoiding it for days.”
“What did she say?”
“In these next days, I must be stern with the Lion.” Then, he hit me with a sexy smile. “Also my rituals can return.”
Rolling my eyes, I smirked.
Before King David went into battle, he liked a blow job. According to him, it brought him luck and kept his head clear to make fast-paced strategic decisions. He called these moments his rituals.
Horny bastard.
I put my attention back on the painting and that bitch Salome holding the platter. “Who will be the lucky woman to help you with your rituals?”
“One would think that I had a list of women to suck me off, as bad as I need it.” His voice grew huskier. “But, new developments have arose. Ones that make me want to change my ways.”
I looked at him. “What new developments?”
He hit me with an intense gaze so piercing it set my skin on fire. My body flushed with heat. I was like a moth drawn to the light, unable to turn away from the lure of the flame.
But somehow I did and caught my breath.
David spoke, “With this new development, I must be careful. It’s a delicate situation. We work together and I respect her entirely too much to quickly hit on her. She must be properly romanced.”
The heat continued to spread and vibrate through to my core.
“Do you have any thoughts on my predicament, Blue?”
My heart skipped at him saying my name.
My view remained on the painting, yet a smile curved my lips. “I think you’re correct. If you properly romance her, then I’m sure she will return your interests.”
His voice lowered to a dark groan. “Very Interesting. I would enjoy that a lot.”
I tried to hide the inferno that flared within me. “Of course. . .if I were you, I would wait until we returned to Moscow.”
“Of course. The peace in Moscow will provide a great opportunity for lots of romance.”
“It should.”
“In the meantime, I will forgo my ritual and take cold showers.”
“I’ll join you.” Those words escaped my mouth before my mind could stop them. “I mean. . .I will—”
“Join me.”
I turned his way.
Usually when he stood next to the Lion, David radiated violence and death. A stern expression always covered his face.
But in this moment, lust dotted his expression and those seducing blue eyes glazed with passion. “Last time we talked, I told you not to love. I was wrong.”
I bit my bottom lip.
“A lot has happened since that conversation.” He sighed and turned away.
I thought about his long lost ex-fiancé, Francesca. I’d watched him shoot her. We cut her body up and hid it later. Not one ounce of remorse covered his face. However, I knew it must have hurt him.
“What I’ve learned is that. . .love is not bad.” David continued, “It’s who we love that could be the problem.”