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 know.”
“You do?”
“I watched the footage.”
I shrieked. “There is a camera in my room?”
“The Lion wanted cameras in all rooms.”
So. . .you know we kissed. . .
David continued, “Baba used to tell me that, when love is not madness, it is not love. I never understood what she meant. Even when I thought I was in love years ago.”
I tensed.
“Now I truly understand what she was saying.”
“David—”
“We will talk about it more later.” David hung up.
I widened my eyes, not excited about that conversation. I did my best to calm myself.
Shit. I will just manage. . .him. . .somehow. . .
I thought back to all the things Maxwell told me. He explained that if David or Giorgio didn’t proceed like I wanted them to, then I was to point to the road. Unfortunately, I didn’t want to point to any road. I desperately yearned for it to somehow all work out. Maybe, I was crazy to think it could. Perhaps, I was in fact being greedy.
David will have to understand. Right?
Still, my stomach twisted with nervousness.
Boris nudged my arm. “Look behind you.”
I checked over my shoulder. Maxwell was back from the bathroom and now sitting at the table with the two women. Already, his arm was over the chair of the woman with the kinky curls.
Loudly chuckling, he gestured for us to come over.
What is Maxwell doing?
Boris and I left our stools and headed to the table.
When we approached, Maxwell grinned. “Yo. Grab a chair. These two beautiful ladies are from the U.S.”
Boris got two chairs and brought them over to the table. Grinning, he sat right next to the woman with long, black hair and held out his hand. “My name is Boris. What is yours?”
She shook his. “Suzanne. I’m from Los Angeles. Have you ever been Boris?”
“I have been to California, but not Los Angeles.”
I twisted my face in confusion.
When did you go to California?
I lowered into my chair. At least, my chair faced the window. This gave me a great view of the yachts.
Maxwell hit his woman with his signature panty wetting smile. “My bad, beautiful. I didn’t get your name.”
She chuckled. “Eve.”
“Eve? That makes so much sense.” Maxwell took off his sunglasses. “You damn sure look like the first woman created by God.”
She laughed.
Maxwell licked his lips. “Do you have a man, Eve?”
“I’m newly divorced.”
Suzanne chimed in, “She finally got rid of that idiot controlling husband.”
Eve shook her head at her friend. “Hey. I married when I was super young.”
Maxwell raised his eyebrows. “Did you two have kids?”
“Yes.” Eve nodded.
“Oh shit.” Maxwell bobbed his head. “I love kids. Who’s watching those babies now?”
“No one.” Eve laughed. “They are grown and in college.”
“What?” Maxwell held out his hands. “Woman, how old are you?”
“Forty-two.”
Maxwell waved her away. “Baby, I don’t believe that.”
I put my view back on the window. More men were on both yachts. Their weapons were no longer at their sides, but in their hands. Their faces darted around as if searching for someone.
Do they know we’re here?
Boris’s voice disturbed me. “Suzanne, how old are you?”
“Thirty-five.”
Maxwell whistled. “When I say Black don’t crack. . .Jesus.”
I returned my attention to the window.
That odd man from earlier with the bat, suddenly walked by. His long black coat swung around him. Some black and white item was tucked in his side pocket and half peeking out. Continuing to walk by, he gave a quick glance at us through the window and then hurried his steps.
Who is that? And is he an enemy?
I leaned forward and watched him head away. That bat still dangled under his coat. I caught the tip of it swaying back and forth.
A minute later, he was out of my view.
Eve tapped Maxwell’s shoulder. “And how old are you?”
Maxwell licked his lips again. “Old enough, baby. Old enough.”
“Yes.” Boris nodded. “We are very old.”
“I don’t know about that.” Suzanne chuckled. “I may need to see some identification.”
“Come on, baby.” Maxwell winked. “Black don’t crack for men either.”
Boris nodded. “We are older than the both of you.”
Maxwell frowned. “Chill, man. Let me talk.”
Grinning, I checked the other people walking by our window. Besides the one guy in the long, black coat, everyone else appeared normal and unarmed. There was a man holding his little girl. A couple strolling hand-in-hand. And an older man walking a tiny black dog.
“So,” Maxwell leaned closer to Eve. “I have this breathtaking suite some miles from here. Got the sweetest smelling pink lemon tree in there, just waiting for your attention.”
I shook my head.
“I could helicopter you over.” Maxwell gestured to Suzanne. “And you too, sweetie. We can do a little double date situation. Boris and me. You and Eve.”
Suzanne smirked. “I still need to see identification.”
Eve smiled at me. “And what is your name?”
Yeah, guys. Remember me? Blue?
I looked away from the window. “My name is Blue—”