Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 140940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
“Let us hope it is soon. It will make this war shorter.”
Tisha’s face shifted back to serious. “Do you have worries about the war?”
“I do.”
“Is it the addition of the sicarios?”
“It is more.”
Tisha blinked. “This is new for the Lion.”
“How?”
“As a boy, you always ran toward the fight. As a man, you typically slapped the man first, and as the Lion. . .” He chuckled. “You typically bomb first.”
“With this war, I am not worried about myself.”
“You are worried about your kids?”
“Yes, and Emily.” I gazed back at her sleeping form. “I am not sure if she can handle another war? Italy was a lot. She came here to heal, and now. . .I wonder if this will break her.”
“No, cousin.” Tisha came closer. “Emily is just as strong as you, if not stronger.”
I studied him.
“Kazimir, I have been a first person witness to her ruthlessness, her ability to stand up and fight when it is needed. She has survived things that would break many of our men.”
“You are correct.”
Our fight in that bathroom flashed in my mind.
My mouse and I had been fierce together.
Unstoppable.
“Your mouse brought a new life into this world amidst chaos. Emilio is strong and healthy with no signs of the war in Italy.” Tisha shrugged. “If that does not symbolize strength, I do not know what does.”
His words seeped into my pores. “My mouse is strong.”
“She is.”
Relief came. “Thank you, Tisha.”
“I only reminded you of what you already knew.” Tisha gazed back at my mouse. “You and Emily. You both are a team. Unbreakable.”
His words, simple yet profound, anchored me back to reality, to the present moment where fear had no stronghold.
I took my hands out of my pockets. “We are unstoppable.”
“Yes.”
Sighing, I curled my lips into a smile. “She thinks that we should have the wedding here.”
“Amidst the war?”
“Will there ever be a time when the Lion is not in war?”
“That is a question I cannot answer.”
I thought about her dressed in white—breathtaking and sparkling in diamonds. “A wedding would be nice in the midst of this war and her healing.”
“Then, I will fly in the best tailors.”
Excitement filled me. “The best for you and me.”
“Me?”
“I expect you to be a part of the wedding party.”
Tisha’s face brightened.
“Of course. . .the best man will be Valentina.”
A low chuckle left him. “Of course. I am sure she will love that.”
“King David, you, Misha.” I rubbed my chin. “This is a good group to be in my wedding. Perhaps, I will think of one or two more, if my mouse has a lot of women.”
“I assume Maxwell will be her maid of honor?”
I nodded. “It will be a unique line up indeed.”
“Excellent.” Tisha pointed at me. “Now please go to sleep, cousin.”
I scowled.
“You must.”
“I will.” I put my gaze on Boris standing in our bedroom. “But first, I must have a conversation with them.”
“A conversation?”
“Yes.” I frowned at Boris. “A conversation.”
Chapter thirty-eight
The Mahogany Casket
Kazimir
I headed into the bedroom.
Everyone in there turned to me, waiting for my orders.
Meanwhile, I put my gaze on Emily. The cadenced melody of her steady breaths filled the air. The sound gave me a sense of calm amidst the chaos of tonight.
She was an island of peace in a sea of turmoil. Yet somehow, her presence, even in sleep, was my anchor.
Still asleep, and no appearance of Lunita. Will we be lucky this evening?
My eyes then shifted from Emily’s tranquil form to Wassily and Boris.
They stood near the bed, dressed for conflict–black sneakers, black tactical pants, and form-fitting shirts.
Items chosen for utility and stealth.
But it wasn’t just their attire that caught my attention; it was the resolve etched on their faces. Their expressions were set in stone too. Determination burned in their eyes. They were more than just dressed for war; they embodied it.
Hmmm.
I found myself pondering their motivations.
Was this display of readiness a reaction to the night’s events, an unspoken understanding of my fury and their eagerness to act upon it?
Or was it a deeper display of loyalty? Some testament to their commitment to me and the Brotherhood?
Interesting.
The events of tonight had shaken the foundations of our world in New Orleans. The attack, the looming threat of the sicarios.
In such times, the true nature of individuals came to the front.
War, with its chaos and demand for action, provided the perfect opportunity for ambition.
I remembered how David had risen through the ranks, how the Butcher’s kidnapping of my mouse and all the chaos in Paris had been David’s proving ground.
His loyalty and skill had earned him his position.
I sized up Wassily and Boris.
Will this be their Paris? Their moment to rise.
Tisha nodded at me and then left the bedroom.
Or will this be my cousin’s Paris? His time to redeem himself to my mouse.
I put my view back on Boris and Wassily.
Their stance remained solid, even under my silent scrutiny.