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)
“Yet, you are a great strategist. I hope I can believe that you will simply surrender. Tomorrow will be easier that way.”
“How can I convince you, Kazimir?”
“I am not sure.”
“Then answer this, Lion. If you put a price on your soul, what would be the price?”
“Me?” I formed a sad smile. “I have no soul.”
“None?”
“Not one bit of a soul.” I turned away from the stars. “Which brings us to the present problem.”
I headed away from the balcony railing. “You harm my mouse tomorrow and your daughter, wife, Black Axe, and all of Nigeria will drown in blood.”
“Is that threat necessary?”
“See this call as a friendly reminder of who I am, Fela.” I gripped the phone harder. “I am a monster with sharp teeth. Carnivorous. A cannibal, thriving on flesh. Dark. Lethal. And my mouse is the only thing that keeps the carnage from spilling onto your fucking doorstep.”
“On that I agree.”
“Good.” I walked back into Maxwell’s room and stood next to Ufuoma. “Then, see this gesture as my willingness to work toward a peaceful future.”
“What gesture?”
I handed the phone to Ufuoma. “You have fifteen minutes to talk to your father. Use them wisely.”
“What?” Her bottom lip quivered. She quickly took the phone and placed it against her ear. “Papa?”
I stepped back, leaned against the wall, and observed her tense whispered conversation with Fela. Tears streamed down her face. Desperation lay in her voice as she begged him to save his life, but I could tell that he was not listening.
Maxwell and David got to my sides.
“Please, Papa.” She wiped her eyes. “Don’t do this for me.”
Maxwell leaned my way. “Are you really going to let Em kill him?”
I nodded.
David sighed. “We will have armed men from all angles as well as snipers. The focus will be to keep Emily safe.”
“I don’t want Em to do it.” Maxwell shook his head. “You should let me.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You think Ufuoma will still be your wife, if you kill her father?”
“I just don’t want Em to have more pain on top of the shit that her mind is struggling to handle.” Maxwell looked at me. “Ufuoma wouldn’t have to know that I did it.”
I shook my head. “My mouse will not let you. We both know that.”
Maxwell let out a long breath. “I don’t trust, Fela.”
“Me either, but Emily does. That must count for something.” I placed my hands in my pockets. “However, are you ready to deal with Black Axe once Fela is done?”
“How’s that?”
“Harlem Crew will be monitoring them. That means lots of trips to this area and Nigeria. You should know all levels of operations. Just in case we have to get rid of them.”
Maxwell put his view back on Ufuoma. “Harlem Crew got it, but I want the French with us.”
“Why?”
“More men and guns, and I dig their style. Plus, they know Italy and have fucked with Black Axe.”
“Then, we will tell Jean-Pierre. He is already eager to have the French touching those shipments.” A thought sparked in my head. “Perhaps, you can fix another problem for me.”
Maxwell eyed me. “What?”
“Make sure Jean-Pierre understands that Giorgio should be involved with this too. Keep him in Italy or Nigeria, I do not care.”
David scowled. “Kazimir. . .”
“I know why you’re trying to keep Giorgio busy.” Maxwell grinned. “Man, I’m not getting involved with that shit.”
I glared. “You will get involved—”
“I won’t.” Maxwell leaned forward and gestured at David. “And you know there’s more competition than Giorgio. Right?”
David’s scowl deepened. “What are you talking about?”
“Valentina is trying to holler at Blue too.” Maxwell shook his head. “Fuck Giorgio. I would be watching Valentina’s ass. Chicks be knowing what to do to each other. Be careful. She’s a Pussy Bandit.”
I widened my eyes. “My sister? No.”
“Your sister.”
Ufuoma’s voice rose. “Please, Papa! Don’t do this!”
Time’s up.
I left the wall, got to her, and held my hand out. “The conversation is over.”
She closed her eyes. “I love you, Papa.”
I took the phone from her and placed it to my ear, catching Fela’s last words.
Sadness coated his voice. “I am so sorry for everything, Ufuoma, but you have to let me go. I cannot live knowing that I was the cause of your or your mother’s death.”
He is serious about surrendering.
I waited for a few seconds and then spoke, “We will see each other later, Fela.”
“We will.”
“Be ready to die.” I hung up and placed the phone in my pocket, and faced Ufuoma. “Your father wanted a fair price and more control of the area. Black Axe will now have it. You set the price for all shipments coming into Europe.”
Ufuoma wiped the tears away.
I raised one finger. “But be careful of what number you bring to any in the Brotherhood. For my people, I expect an exceedingly generous discount for not fully taking over the area myself.”