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)
“Of Lunita? Yes, mysh. I will be extra when it comes to possibly doing things to bring her back.”
I pointed to the phone. “I’m killing Fela. Take if off mute.”
He glared at me.
“Kaz, we’re done talking about this. I aim the gun at his head. I pull the trigger.”
“And if you break down?”
“Would it be wrong to say that I trust you to help me?” I gulped in fear. “Would it be. . .too selfish to lean on you some more?”
“I would do anything for you. Never question that.” He pursed his lips.
“Then. . .it is settled. I want to go back to Moscow. If it means shooting Fela, then so be it.”
I could tell that Kaz wanted to say a whole lot more. Instead, he unmuted the phone.
“Fela,” I lowered my voice. “I’ll do it.”
“Thank you, Emily. I have another demand.”
Kaz growled, “You have demanded enough!”
I whispered, “Kaz.”
Fela spoke, “I want to die on the beach. At sunset. When the sun dips into the ocean.”
My heart ached.
Kaz rolled his eyes.
Fela continued, “I pick the beach—”
“I do not trust you to pick it.” Kaz shook his head.
“Kazimir, I am a man planning my death, not an attack. I beg you to give me this wish.”
Kaz looked at me.
I nodded.
Kaz sighed. “Fine. You pick the beach, but give us the location five hours before we meet.”
“That is fair,” Fela said. “Then, it is settled. Tomorrow, Emily and I will sit alone on the beach and talk. Your men must be at least thirty feet away. When it is confirmed by video that my wife and daughter are free, and the missile’s target has changed, then Emily can kill me.”
“I do not trust you.” Kaz shook his head. “Why this way? What would make you think that we would not just kill you as soon as you step onto the beach?”
“Emily. That is what makes me think it.” Fela said. “My spies said that she battled you to honor Pavel’s last wishes. I believe she will do the right thing when it comes to my death.”
Then, the phone clicked.
Instantly, Kaz barked out orders at Wassily. “A few of you grab Baba, Paolo, and the dog, I want them off the beach and in the hotel. The rest of you remain surrounding Emily until we get inside.”
Several ran off with Wassily.
The others drew in closer and formed a tight circle around us.
Kaz placed his hand in the center of my back. It was a tender gesture sending shivers down my spine. His fingertips nudged me forward. “Mysh, I still disagree with your killing him.”
I walked at his pace and stayed by his side. “I know, but I’m down to end this in any way possible.”
“You will have on a bullet proof vest and two guns.”
“Okay.”
“And there will be twenty gunners aiming at his head. If he moves in any way that I do like, he is gone.”
“Be careful with that, Kaz. I’m sure he has an emergency plan in place if we don’t honor his wishes.”
“If I was him, I would.”
“We go into this safe and with our eyes open.”
“I will be with the men around you.”
“I’m fine with that.”
“Mysh.” Kaz stopped us and turned to me. “Nothing can happen to you.”
I gave him a weak smile. “Nothing will. Tomorrow, Fela will die, and then we will go home.”
We continued towards the hotel.
When we arrived, another man approached us and stopped by Kaz. “The helicopters with King David and the rest have arrived. They are landing right now.”
“Good.” Kaz nodded. “Have everyone meet us in the conference room.”
I hope everyone is okay.
Chapter 49
Missing
Kazimir
Emily went to check on Paolo and Harlem.
I headed to the conference room.
Less than an hour later, men began piling into the space. Battered and bruised, some stumbled in with swollen eyes and cheeks. Others sported bandages and had to be helped to chairs. It looked like they had been to war and barely survived.
By the time all had arrived, the conference room was packed to the brim. A few stood just outside the doorway. There was no way for anyone else to enter.
The mood was somber.
Shocked. Devastated. Defeated.
Meanwhile, many of the higher players were absent. There was no Maxwell, French, and barely any Harlem Crew.
Even more important, where is King David?
I knew he was okay because Wassily mentioned that King David announced their return. That very fact kept my nerves steady.
I wasn’t ready to lose another close person to me.
However, for this entire job David had never reported back.
This is odd.
I checked the TV screen. It was still blank.
Misha had not come on either.
What the hell happened out there?
I rose from my seat.
The room went silent. All focused on me.
I tensed. “Where is King David?”
No one responded.
Just as I was about to roar, Maxwell appeared with Boris.
Their clothes were ripped and wet.