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 quirked my brows. “Are you talking about Einstein?”
“I am. Einstein determined that time is relative—in other words, the rate at which time passes depends on your frame of reference.” Fela sighed. “It doesn’t matter how much our lives are governed by the same seconds, minutes, hours, days, and weeks, regardless of where we live on the globe, time will never be absolute.”
“And your time?”
“It is ending, but perhaps. . .it is also beginning.”
“How?”
“I’ve walked this planet with two clear missions—freedom to Nigeria and power to my people.”
For some reason, sadness hit me.
“I believe that. . .my death will finally complete those missions and time will continue on for my people in its proper manner.”
“In what way?”
“I want my daughter safe and solidified as Black Axe’s leader. I also want Black Axe fully in charge of Calabria region with the Lion’s blessing. She will carry on my two missions of freedom to Nigeria and power to my people.”
I checked Kaz’s reaction.
He kept a stern expression.
It was impossible to read him. All I could understand was that if he truly disagreed, he would have interrupted.
He’d said he trusted me, and now he was showing it.
Think. What would my lion feel good about?
I continued to watch my baby. “Some of the Brotherhood would need to be in place in this region and closely working with Black Axe to regain trust.”
Kaz smiled.
I got it right? Okay. Good.
“I would only feel comfortable with your people or the French working with Ufuoma,” Fela said. “No Brotherhood. Do you think that is a possibility?”
Kaz rolled his eyes. “You are not in a position to demand anything, Fela.”
“Correct, yet I am not truly out of all options either.”
Kaz scowled. “There is a missile pointed at your beloved country—”
“And no matter how many men surround your mouse on that beach, there is a gun pointed at her head.”
I shivered.
Kaz sneered. “If something happens to my mouse, then your daughter and wife die in the most brutal ways, your country becomes only dust and flames, and I spend the rest of my life hunting you down, and when I find you, there will only be blood and cruelty.”
My heart boomed in my ears. “Fela, we were close to a solution and ending this. Stop the threats.”
“You are correct, Emily. Men are ruled by their egos. This is why women truly rule the world.” Fela’s voice shifted to calm. “I see that you brought Pavel’s son out on your beach day too.”
I gritted my teeth.
“This tells me that you are a woman of honor,” Fela said. “It speaks volumes to your character.”
My nerves didn’t steady.
You better keep Paolo out of your fucking view.
I took the phone from Kaz. “What else do you want to end this, Fela?”
“First, my daughter remains in place with Black Axe running the area—”
A low rumble left Kaz. “Only if she keeps Black Axe’s focus on making money and not seeking revenge for her father’s death.”
“Ufuoma is smarter than me. She keeps emotion out of her decision.”
Kaz spoke through clenched teeth, “She better or she will die too.”
“Also, as I said before, only the French or Emily’s people will work with Black Axe. I do not want the Russians around her or my people. Will you make sure of that, Emily?”
I shrugged. “Keep talking.”
Fela added, “I also want no harm coming to Nigeria.”
I nodded. “The missile’s coordinates change after your death.”
“I want them changed before my death.”
Kaz crossed his arms over his chest. “Then, you will need to give yourself up with no trouble on Black Axe’s side.”
“I agree,” Fela said. “I come to you. Then, you show me that the missile has changed and my daughter and wife are free. Next. . . you kill me.”
I widened my eyes.
A skeptical expression covered Kaz’s face.
“But understand this,” Fela said. “I do not want Kazimir killing me. I want Emily to pull the trigger. No one else.”
Kaz snatched the phone from me and muted it. “No, mysh.”
“Why not, Kaz? This ends if I kill him—”
“When you look at Fela, what do you see?” Kaz leaned his head to the side. “Be truthful.”
“I don’t get the question.”
“Tell me what you see.”
“I see a man.”
“Exactly. And that is the last thing you should see. He is a monster, nothing more or less.”
I let out a long breath.
“Do you even want to kill him, mysh?”
My throat went dry.
“Be honest.”
Dread hit me. “Days ago, I would have loved it if we could have found another option, but now. . .”
“Now?”
“I’m so done with Italy. I could pull the trigger myself and end this.”
He studied me. “His death may be too much for your mind right now—”
“We are not doing that—”
“Doing what?”
“Treating me like a fragile little woman. I already got you to stop being so protective because I was pregnant. Don’t start being extra because—”