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)
Angelo nodded. “Many of your people have been checked-in to their rooms.”
That had to be the members of Harlem Crew that didn’t go with Maxwell.
My heart ached for the ones that Kaz had killed.
I can’t believe you would do that, baby. It wasn’t their fault that my darkness scared them.
I swallowed down my anger.
We entered the lobby.
Luxury lathered every inch of the space. The walls glistened with polish. The rich scent of vanilla soaked the cool air. The marble of the lobby reflected a blinding light. Crystal chandeliers hung everywhere, dazzling and sparkling.
Soft classical music played on the right. I glanced in that direction. A woman in a red ball gown sat on an oversized, regal bench with a highly polished black finish. A piano stood in front of her. She delicately moved her fingers over the ivory keys playing the piano.
We continued forward.
Valentina snapped her fingers and raised her empty glasses. “More of this.”
Baba burped. “I must agree with Valentina.”
To my surprise, the woman with the silver platter had been following us. She rushed to them, took their empty glasses, and replaced them with new ones.
We made it to the elevator.
The silver doors opened.
The inside walls were white and smooth, shiny enough to see my reflection in. Plush gold carpet covered the floor. Meanwhile, a small crystal chandelier actually hung from the elevator’s ceiling.
Well damn. This might be next level luxury for me.
Before I could enter, my phone rang. Everyone else stepped on, except Blue. She stayed at my side. I checked the screen. The number was unknown.
I answered. “Hello?”
Fela’s voice rode the line. “That was an interesting picture you sent me.”
My heart pounded. “But did you understand the message?”
“I assumed you would have some affection for Paolo. He is a kind boy. However, I also believed the Lion would hurt him. My intentions were pure. I only wanted to keep the young boy safe.”
“I don’t believe you.”
A dark chuckle left him. “Because you are smart.”
“Don’t ever come for Paolo again.”
“I learned that lesson. Many of my people are gone because of it.”
“Then, we have nothing else to discuss. Unless you are ready to head back to Nigeria?”
“Are you ready to return to Moscow?”
“No.” I hung up.
Angelo kept his foot in front of the elevator door, making sure it didn’t close. “Should we go up without you, miss?”
“Stay with her.” A voice boomed from the chandeliers.
What the hell? Where did that come from?
Everyone looked up to the elevator’s ceiling, except Valentina. She continued to drink her third glass of champagne.
Blue took out her gun. “Who was that?”
Valentina rolled her eyes. “Apparently, that is the panther.”
The voice sounded again. “I prefer the Mosquito.”
“Misha?” I stepped inside of the elevator and peered up at the ceiling. “Is that you?”
“Yes.”
Valentina frowned. “How is my darling baby. I did not receive pictures of her this morning.”
“I sent them. You were busy at the time and now your phone has exploded.” Misha’s voice rose in the elevator. “I have someone bringing a new phone to your suite with several pictures of her.”
“Your ballerina better not be around her.” Valentina smiled and sipped her champagne.
O-kay.
“Emily,” Misha said. “If Fela calls you again, remain on the phone longer. I want to track him.”
“Oh. I hung up because I thought he was tracking me.”
“He was. However, once he sees the location, it will make his stomach drop. Since the war, Black Axe is no longer allowed in Sicilian territory.”
“And are we allowed here?”
Valentina laughed.
Misha’s voice held a hint of humor. “Emily, if you know of a place on this planet where Kazimir cannot go, then I would keep it quiet because that place will soon be visited by several bombs.”
My phone rang again.
Stunned, Angelo still looked up at the ceiling. “Do I. . .let the doors close or. . ?”
Misha’s voice filled the air. “Keep your foot where it is. I can watch you all better and monitor the phone conversation, if you remain in one place.”
Sighing, Valentina mumbled, “You are so weird.”
“I heard that, Valentina.”
My phone rang again.
I picked it up. “Yes?”
Fela spoke, “I only want to talk.”
I frowned. “With words or bullets?”
“Words are more powerful than bullets.”
My phone beeped. I checked the screen. Kazimir was calling, but I couldn’t just tell Fela to hold on.
Fela spoke, “Can you answer a question for me, Emily?”
“Go ahead.”
“What are your plans for Paolo?”
“Does it matter?”
“Pavel believed that his son would not be safe with the Brotherhood, if they discovered Pavel was a traitor. Yet, his son is safe.”
“We don’t harm little boys.”
Fela’s laugh scratched at my ears. “What Brotherhood are we talking about?”
“Is that your only question?”
“My people tell me that Pavel begged you to keep him.”
“You mean, your prostitutes that you had in my hotel to spy on me.”
“Yes. The ones you still sent home with money. You could have killed them.”