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 watched Maxwell put on the fedora. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going in disguise.” The black brim of the fedora shaded his eyes. “Fela definitely knows me.” Maxwell checked his reflection in the mirror and then placed sunglasses on his face. “You should put a hat on too.”
“That will make us look suspicious.”
“I’m sure they know that one of Em’s people has blue hair.” Maxwell faced me. “Grab a hat from the back.”
I glanced behind me and reached for the fedora closest to me. It was thick and white with a black band around the edge.
Already wearing a tan fedora, Boris pulled out a gold gun.
What?
I picked up my hat and studied Boris’s gun.
The barrel and trigger guard was gold plated. The handle looked to be polished mahogany and had skulls and crossbones carved in them.
Boris checked the bullets, nodded, and then put the weapon in his holster. “I am ready.”
I frowned. “Where did you get that gun?”
Boris put on a black coat and buttoned it up. “Maxwell bought it for me.”
“Why?”
“Because I deserved it.” Boris winked, opened the door, and left.
I looked at Maxwell. “I want a new gun.”
“Blue, you already got three people after you.” Maxwell frowned. “Stop being greedy.”
Sighing, I put on the hat.
Maxwell remained on guard and looked around. “We’re in enemy territory, so keep your eyes open and your guns hidden, but close.”
I zipped up my light jacket to conceal the two guns in my holster.
“And hurry up. I need to piss.” Maxwell left the car and shut the door.
I piled out and followed Maxwell and Boris to the hotel.
As we headed there, a man in a tattered, long black coat shuffled past. He had pale skin, black hair, and a nice face. He must have been in his early thirties. He gave us a wide berth and avoided gazing our way.
Yet, there was something off about him.
Slowing up, I glanced over my shoulder.
A silver bat hung out the bottom of the man’s coat.
Who is that?
“Blue, pay attention.” Maxwell was already at the hotel restaurant’s door.
Boris stood next to him.
I hurried over. “The guy that walked past us has a bat.”
“Good for him.” Maxwell opened the door. “How about focus on the motherfuckers with the AK-47s.”
Good point.
We entered the hotel’s restaurant entrance.
With yachts across from it, I expected a better setting. However, the place had the feel of a neighborhood tavern with a few dedicated drinkers. It was dark and dingy—stained brown carpet, pea-green walls, twenty tables, and several black chairs faded by decades of bottoms sliding on their seats. A few lights dangled from the ceiling. Acoustic music played in the background. A stale beer scent rode the cigarette smoke swirling in the air.
We continued toward the bar. It was made of oak. The stools were hardwood with no cushions.
“Order us some drinks. I want a double whiskey on the rocks.” Maxwell headed off. “I’m going to the bathroom.”
Boris and I sat down.
The bartender wore a dingy white shirt with a greasy rag lying over his right shoulder. Of course, he spoke in Italian.
Boris fumbled around with some Italian words. Surely, he did better than I would have.
After a few minutes of back and forth, the bartender nodded and left.
I eyed Boris. “You ordered?”
“I think I did.”
“Since when do you know Italian?”
“While you were being romanced, I have been studying ways I can be more helpful for Emily.”
I frowned. “Do you really think I am sexually awkward?”
Boris curved his lips into a smile. “I do, but I like it.”
I shook my head and assessed the rest of the space.
There were only two other customers in the place. Two women with dark brown complexions. I guessed they were in their late twenties. Talking with each other, they sat at a table near a window, sipping wine and nibbling on bruschetta.
I checked them out, making sure they didn’t have any signs of being involved with Black Axe.
No guns or other weapons. Unless they have them in their purses.
Both women looked to be shorter than me. One had long, black hair past her shoulders. The other had tight, kinky curls that bounced around her ears, whenever she laughed.
Boris put his attention on them.
My phone buzzed.
I looked away, pulled it out, and answered, “Yes?”
David’s smooth voice sounded. “Did you all make it to the hotel restaurant across from the Marina?”
My heartbeats increased. “We did.”
“Any danger?”
“Not yet, but we spotted the yachts with the guards and AK-47s.”
“Alright. Two minutes ago, Misha captured a picture of Ufuoma with the twins and her mother. They were leaving a store a few blocks away. He will be sending the image to your phones.”
“Okay. Do you think they are heading this way?”
“I do. If you spot them, call me.”
“I will.”
“And Blue. . .”
“Yes?”
“Soon. . .we will talk about Giorgio.”
I swallowed. “I just. . .want to clarify that I was not naked with Giorgio.”