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)
My heart pounded as I felt the weight of her words. “What else, Baba? I need more.”
She walked over to me. “This evening, Kazimir and you will be safe and out of Italy.”
“And do I kill Fela?”
Baba shook her head. Her voice trembled with emotion. “You do not.”
Kaz widened his eyes in surprise. “Then, who?”
Ignoring him, she reached for my hand, grabbed it, and softly squeezed. Tears glistened in the corner of her eyes. “I wish I could walk the rest of this journey for you, but I cannot.”
I plead with her, “I need more, Baba.”
Tears left her eye. “I cannot see any more after Fela dies.”
“Why not, Baba?” David walked over to her. “Will you be safe? Will something happen to you?”
“David, do not worry. Everything will be fine.” Baba wiped the tears away. “Your job must be to stay with the Lion.”
I shivered. “You're scaring me.”
Baba pulled me into a hug. Her strong arms were a vice around my body, holding me fiercely against her as if she never wanted to let me go.
I was paralyzed in shock, all I could do was remain in her loving embrace.
“You are strong and you are loved.” She hugged me tighter. “Please, do not ever forget that, Emily.”
I trembled. “Baba?”
“Promise, Emily. Never forget that you are loved.”
“I won't.”
“I wish I could squeeze out all of your pain and suffering.” She pulled back. More tears had streamed down her face. “But, I cannot do that either. You must do it for yourself.”
Bone-chilling fear rushed through my veins. My voice wavered. “W-what do you mean?”
“Never forget the Lion.” Baba's bottom lip quivered. “Never forget him. Promise me.”
Terror constricted my heart.
“I won't.” I turned Kaz's way.
He watched us. His eyes were wide with dread.
My heart raced as if it was going to burst out of my chest. “Then. . .do I still meet with Fela today?”
“You must.” Baba let me go and wiped tears with both hands. “Finish this.”
“But. . .why are you crying?”
“Because I love you so much, and I know that you have a rough journey ahead of you.”
I hugged myself. “I don't like the sound of that.”
“You must go through it all.” Baba let out a long breath. “Your future depends on it. As well as Kazimir's future and your child's and even little Paolo. All three depend on you as well as so many others.”
I widened my eyes. “W-what is going to happen, Baba?”
“Remember. You are loved, and if you are not with us. . .then so many perish.”
Kaz came over to us. “I will not let her go to Fela, if—”
“Fela's death is set, and you have no control of Emily's journey, Kazimir.” Baba raised her hand and placed it on his shoulder. “In this situation, there is nothing to shoot at, nothing to bomb.”
Kaz bared his teeth. “I am sure I can find someone to kill—”
“With this, your weapons must be love and patience as well as the understanding that Emily must do this on her own.” Baba took her hand away from Kaz's shoulder.
My voice cracked with hopelessness. “And what if I don't want to do whatever journey this is?”
“Just remember that you are loved and needed by us all.” Sniffling, Baba walked around me and left the balcony.
Horror filled my soul as I watched her leave.
What is going to happen?
My mind raced in sheer terror as I tried to figure out what fate lay ahead.
Chapter 64
Questions and Answers
Blue
Hours earlier
First sound filled my ears.
Next, the soft murmur of voices came.
What is going on?
I blinked my eyes open. A shocking sight greeted me. Several men and women carried silver platters throughout my room. Others held crystal pitchers of various juices.
What the hell?
A mouth-watering, spicy scent saturated the air and made my stomach growl.
Who ordered me food?
Another man placed folded cloth napkins on a table covered in a white cloth.
Rubbing my eyes, I slowly sat up. “What is going on?”
Giorgio’s smooth voice came from behind me. It was the sound of honey being poured over crushed rose petals. “Are you hungry?”
Shocked, I turned around in the bed.
Giorgio stood beside a round table covered with a lavish blue cloth. “I wanted to surprise you with something special after yesterday’s events.”
“Oh, Giorgio that is so sweet.” My heart swelled with warmth. “You did not have to—”
“I did.” He walked over to the bed, giving me a better view of his sexy form. His crisp white suit fit his body as if it were made just for him. A navy blue tie pulled it all together. The blue gloves on his hands matched the tie. “I also brought you a new pair of panties for the day.”
I shook my head. “You really need to give me all my panties back.”
“Why?” He smirked. “I prefer this arrangement.”
More men and women swarmed around the room, decorating the space in blue roses.