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)
“She’s our younger sister.” Maxwell lowered his voice. “Blue’s a little special so we are super protective of her.”
Special?
“You know what I’m saying?” Maxwell winked at them. “She’s always with us because we love her so much. We keep her close.”
The bartender brought over our drinks. Chocolate milkshakes filled three glasses. Each had a straw. Whipped cream and sprinkles topped them.
The bartender nodded and then left.
Maxwell pointed to the glasses. “Man, what the hell is this?”
Boris frowned. “I thought I ordered whiskey.”
“Come on. These ladies already think we’re young.”
The women laughed.
Smirking, I took my milkshake.
“I am still working on my Italian.” Boris picked up his milkshake and began to drink it.
Maxwell waved his hand. “Naw, man. Don’t drink that. Go get us some respectable alcohol.”
Cursing under his breath in Russian, Boris rose and left.
I sipped on my shake. Cold chocolate danced over my tongue.
Delicious.
Maxwell glanced at Suzanne and then Eve. “So, why are you two in Italy?”
Eve spoke, “I’m a doctor. After my divorce, I wanted to check off items on my bucket list. One of them was travel. Another was volunteering for Doctors Without Borders.”
“What’s Doctors Without Borders?” Maxwell asked.
“It’s an international humanitarian medical organization. Non-governmental. Most of its projects are in conflict zones,” Eve said. “I’m in this area to provide medical care to the migrants and refugees that have landed in the Italian port of Reggio Calabria.”
“Damn, you’re an angel type?” Maxwell whistled again. “You don’t know this, but I’m a sucker for a woman who protects and takes care of others.”
I looked at her. “How long have you been volunteering here?”
“A month. I plan to extend my time. So many need help.”
“Interesting.” I placed my glass down and checked the window view.
No one walked by.
However, several huge trucks parked near the yachts. Men and women in black utility jumpsuits began unloading the trucks and carrying huge wooden boxes to the yacht. It took at least four people to lift each box.
What is going on now?
Eve continued, “Thousands of men, women, and children arrive here, fleeing conflict, persecution, or other serious human rights violations.”
Boris returned with two glasses of whiskey and sat down.
“There we go. Good job, man.” Maxwell clapped. “By the way, ladies, we are handling your tab. Order anything.”
I turned to Suzanne. “You’re a doctor too?”
She shook her head. “No. I’m a specialized security executive. I just came to visit my bestie.”
My phone buzzed.
Boris asked Suzanne something, but I didn’t catch it as I pulled my phone out.
This time it wasn’t a phone call.
An unknown number sent a text.
This must be from Misha.
I pressed on it.
An image greeted my eyes.
In the picture, four people walked out of a store.
I spotted the twins instantly. I remembered them from when Emily met with Fela on the beach.
The male twin had on a long, money green leather trench coat that concealed most of his jeans. The coat bulged on the side, telling me he had a big weapon under it.
The female twin wore a green pants suit. She had her holsters on display. A green Ak-47 was attached to her right hip and a gold and green handgun was on the left.
Nice guns. I’m taking those from you.
An older woman strolled on her right. She had beautiful gray dreadlocks that swept into an updo. Very stylish, she wore a yellow dress.
This must be Fara.
And next to her, I knew the woman had to be Ufuoma. She donned tailored black pants, a strapless yellow top, and black heels. A gun holster was on her hip, but I couldn’t figure out what type of gun from this angle.
I tapped Maxwell’s arm, taking him away from his conversation with Eve. “We have a picture of Ufuoma and Fara.”
“Good,” he whispered. “You caught the trucks being unloaded by the yachts?”
I nodded, more surprised that he saw them. I figured that he had been too busy talking to the women.
“Got to be weapons. Fela is planning something.” Maxwell leaned in closer. “Keep the conversation with these women. We’re blending in pretty nicely.”
“Here’s the picture.” I handed him the phone.
Maxwell grabbed it, looked down, opened his mouth, and froze.
I blinked. “What? Do you recognize them.”
Boris laughed with the women.
Maxwell shook his head. “No fucking way.”
“What?”
Maxwell leaned back my way and pointed at Ufuoma. “What do you think is hanging from her ears?”
Huh?
I checked the image and stared at her earrings. “Silver stars. I guess.”
“Exactly. Stars.” He gave me back the phone. “That’s my wife.”
“What?” I was about to laugh, but movement caught me on the right.
A group of people began walking by our window.
I tensed, recognizing all of them.
The twins, Fara, and Ufuoma. An additional ten men in yellow and black followed them.
Fuck. Fuck.
Maxwell whispered, “Keep it chill, Blue.”
I swallowed, wishing I had on sunglasses.
They continued forward, engaged in conversation. Then, Ufuoma as if sensing us turned our way and stopped right in front of our window. Meanwhile, Fara continued walking with some of the men.