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)
“True or not, Kazimir, what will you do, but let me go?”
“Is that my only option?”
“You are close to winning this war with Black Axe,” Rocco moved his view from Kaz and stared ahead of him. “But, my family is an animal that you do not want to tango with, especially in this. . .as you say. . .godforsaken country. Our eyes are everywhere.”
“Back to your person of interest.” Kaz glared. “Explain.”
“Do you know where you are, Kazimir?” Rocco looked at him with a bored expression. “Should I show you a map? Should I talk about the history of this area? How my bloodline has run this region since men were riding horses and fighting with wooden swords?”
“The last man that stood in his so-called territory and told me how much he ran it, found a massive hole in his city days later.”
“We are not the French.”
“No. You are not.” Kaz shook his head. “While the French may dress like clowns, they would never hide behind clown masks. That is the option of cowards.”
Rocco bared his teeth. “I hid my identity for my family. No other reason.”
“Your family wanted you to stay out of this. Why get in it?”
Rocco kept that unhinged expression targeted on Kaz. “Be smart, Lion. Let us go. Pretend you did not see us.”
“But, I did. Now I want answers.”
“You won’t get any.”
“No?”
“And you won’t harm me either. While the Lion has a reputation for being a hot head, there is a brain in that skull.”
“You are correct. I will not harm you.” Kaz leaned his head to the side. “Should I bring in Ufuoma in here and harm her?”
Instantly, Rocco’s eyes radiated and blazed like a fire. So much so that I was nervous his very stare would burn Kaz.
Step back, baby.
Kaz remained there. “Would you like me to place Ufuoma in front of you, grab a knife, and show you what her insides look like?”
Rocco’s face contorted into something inhuman, like a hungry, feral animal on a hunt and ready to kill.
“Eh, Kazimir.” Max frowned. “You think I could talk to dude for a minute?”
Kaz quirked his brows.
“Just a little conversation, man.” Max touched his chest. “I also have questions.”
Kaz walked back to me. “Go ahead, Maxwell. I am getting nowhere.”
What the hell is going on?
Rocco’s expression shifted to confused. “Who is he?”
Max strolled over to Rocco. “You don’t know me, man.”
“Then, why do you think that you can talk to me?”
“So, check this out.” Max assessed Rocco, looking him up and down. “I’m not as eloquent as the Lion. I don’t know facts about circuses and shit.”
Rocco frowned.
“But, have you ever heard of this opera about clowns?”
Rocco put his attention on Kaz. “Get this guy away from me.”
“Come on, man. Humor me.” Max stepped close to Rocco. Honestly, too damned close. There was barely two inches between them.
Rocco didn’t back up. Instead, he frowned at Max. “It appears this guy wants a hug from me.”
“Naw, man. I just want to know if you ever heard of this clown opera.”
What the fuck are you talking about, Max?
Tension gathered in my shoulders.
“You don’t know it?” Max hit him with a wicked smile. “The main character has a wife that is trying to mess with another clown in his troupe. Dude kills them or something.”
Kaz sighed on my side. “Maxwell, perhaps we can get to the point.”
“Come on, guys.” Max smirked. “Someone got to know about this clown opera.”
In the back, one of Rocco’s men muttered, “Pagliacci.”
“Yeah.” Max bobbed his head. “That’s the name. You saw that shit, buddy?”
I gritted my teeth.
“I saw it.” Rocco frowned at him. “When I was kid?”
“You like it?”
“Nothing beats Italian opera.”
Max leaned in closer, almost like he was trying to kiss Rocco. But, his expression was lethal.
I stirred.
Max, calm down.
Not backing down, Rocco fisted his hands at his sides and glared back.
Max damn near growled. “What’s up with you and Ufuoma?”
Oh God. Are we back on this chick? Is that really why you’re tripping?
A vein in my neck throbbed as my body became rigid with annoyance.
I knew Max was now looking for the love of his life, but this Ufuoma couldn’t be the one. Whoever ended up with him would have to be worthy. I doubted that she deserved him.
Rocco’s voice held a murderous edge. “I don’t know who you are, but let me introduce you to me—”
“No need. You’re the Clown.”
“I’m much more than that, friend.”
Max stepped back and put his hands in his pockets. “Ever met the Comedian?”
Who?
Rocco nodded. “I know him.”
“Now that dude, Rafael. He’s funny, but you.” Max shook his head. “Not so much.”
“You should catch me on a better day.”
“But, I caught you right now.” Max smiled. “If I gave you a balloon, could you twist it into an animal?”
Kaz looked at me as if I could explain what was going on.