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)
I shook my head.
“Balloons are silly,” Rocco said. “Instead, I make shapes out of intestines. That’s how I got the name.”
“Cool.” Max nodded. “Now back to Ufuoma. What is she to you?”
Rocco turned his view to Kaz.
The Lion stayed silent.
Rocco directed his attention back to Max. “Ufuoma and me. . . we’re friends.”
“Come on, man. You’ve seen operas and shit. You can paint me a better picture than that.”
“What is your name?”
“Maxwell.”
Rocco nodded. “I will remember that name.”
“Good. Maybe, I’ll write that shit down for you, so you’ll never forget.” Max pulled his hands out of his pocket.
I squinted.
Is there something in his hand?
Max crossed his arms over his chest, hiding that specific hand out of my view. “Back to this. . .friendship.”
“Kazimir, I have had quiet enough of this man—”
“You came through to save her.” Max whistled. “Must be a pretty strong friendship.”
“Very strong.”
“Friendship with fucking?”
“Maxwell, you must have a death wish. I could book you an appointment to handle that personally.” Rocco flared his nostrils. “Would you like me to do that for you?”
“Keep that appointment.”
“Are you sure?”
“You Italian motherfuckers supposed to be on that olive oil shit, but you mad baby oil to me.”
“I have no idea what you are saying.”
“Basically, you don’t want this smoke. Not with me, partner. Your lungs would go black. Deadened. It would be worse than cancer.
Sighing, Rocco looked our way. “Kazimir, get your puppy. I’m not impressed with his tricks.”
Max’s voice rose. “Did you fuck her or not?!”
Oh, God.
Rocco quirked his brows. “Why would that concern you?”
“Because she’s my wife, motherfucker!”
Rocco widened his eyes. “What?!”
“Okay, Max.” I raised my hands. “You had a long night. Maybe, you should go get some rest—”
“Fuck that, Em.” Max stepped closer.
That feral expression returned to Rocco’s face. “While Ufuoma has been promised to a man of Nigerian Royalty, she is not yet married. And you are not that man. So, who are you?”
“What man?”
Rocco squinted his eyes. “You are a mad man.”
Kaz cleared his throat, walked over, and stopped next to them. “Rocco, start giving real answers or I will make you sit in a room with this mad man for the rest of the night.”
“Yeah, man.” Max winked at him. “We can do this all motherfucking night.”
Rocco let out a long breath. “Ufuoma is promised to someone else—”
“Who?!” Max sneered.
Rocco turned to Kaz. “And I am also promised to someone else. However, that has not stopped Ufuoma and I from becoming. . .friends.”
“So, you’re on some undercover fucking shit with my queen.” Max rolled his eyes. “Kept her a secret. Wasn’t proud to have her on your arm?”
“There were complications put in place by our families—”
“Bet if she was white, you would have made that shit happen.”
“Do not say that.” Rocco snarled. “I care very much about Angel and give her the utmost respect—”
“You call her Angel?”
“I do.”
Trembling in rage, Max unfolded his arms. “Angel. Huh?”
“I just said it.”
I spotted the object in his hand.
Shit. That is a knife.
Rocco sighed. “That is my name for her.”
“Word?” Max popped the blade out.
Oh no.
Right as I rushed their way, Max raised his hand fast and slashed Rocco’s throat.
Holy shit!!
Chaos ensued, almost in slow motion. Rocco’s men rushed for Max. Our men shot at them. Their bodies fell to the ground, one by one.
Kaz opened his mouth in shock as blood sprayed on his face.
And Max slashed at Rocco again as the man began to fall to the ground.
Blood sprayed on Max too, splattering on his face and shirt.
Kaz roared, “Have you lost all sense?!”
Max stepped back and wiped blood off his face. “Motherfucker, do you know what I been through? I want my happy ending!”
“There will no happy ending if the Vizzini Family finds out what you did. They will shut down the airports and block the ports—”
“The big, mighty Lion is scared of Italians—”
“I am tired of Italy!” Kaz stomped his way and wiped the blood drops from his face.
I rushed between them. “Okay. Everyone calm down.”
“She’s mine!” Max yelled back. “I give two fucks about the Clown.”
“I do not want another war!” Kaz tried to step around me. “I want out of here!”
“Okay, baby.” I placed my hands against his chest. His heartbeats slammed under my palms. Red tinted his face.
Panting, he gripped his chest as if he were in pain.
Baby, what’s wrong?
“I finally found someone.” Max spit on Rocco’s corpse. “I’m done with you white boys cock blocking.”
“Alright. Alright.” I waved my hands. “Max just go outside for a fucking minute. Take a smoke break.”
Kaz looked like he had difficulty breathing. I could see the tightness in his face.
Shit.
“In fact, everybody leave!” I yelled, “Now!”
Quickly, Kaz’s men stepped over dead bodies and headed out of the room.
Max grumbled and left too.
Chapter 52
Dead Audience
Emily
Once everyone left the conference room and the door closed, Kaz slumped against me.