Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 67263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Some of his men remained by my side. My suspicions returned.
These dudes are getting too close. They're monitoring me at his request.
The driver held the back door open for us.
Jean-Pierre's two main bodyguards went into the Bentley.
I climbed in next.
My phone rang.
I checked the screen. An unknown number showed on the screen. I looked behind me.
Boris headed with Jean-Pierre’s security team to the SUVs behind us.
They're intentionally separating us.
I reached for my gun just to feel the comfort of its weight.
Jean-Pierre climbed in and sat next to me. Apparently, it would only be him and I riding in the Bentley.
Hold up. Where is my gun?
The phone rang again.
But, how did my gun leave me? Was it when I was fucking the stewardess? That shit must be in the bathroom.
I grabbed the door handle. "I left my guns in the plane."
"We have got them." Jean-Pierre signaled for the driver to go. "You will get them later."
My phone rang again.
Tension built in my shoulders. "What the fuck do you mean I'll get them later?"
"We have a schedule to maintain."
The Bentley sped off. The engine purred like a lion as it maneuvered along the airport's tarmac. The tires gripped the pavement and the wind rushed through the open windows. The driver's eyes were focused on the road ahead.
"I don't trust your people or you." I eyed him. "I better get my guns back or I'll take yours."
My phone continued to ring.
Jean-Pierre smirked. "Do you really think you could master such a feat?"
"I could master that and more, motherfucker." I picked up the phone. “Who’s this?”
Misha’s voice came on the line. “Why are you in the States?”
Ease came. “You’re watching me?”
“Always." Concern laced his voice. "You are my friend.”
Misha is crazy, but I love him.
I grinned. “I missed you, man. What’s up?”
Silence hit the line.
I glanced out the window. A plane, sleek and silver, took off several feet from us. The sun glinted off its wings. The plane climbed higher and higher, until it was nothing but a speck in the sky, disappearing into the clouds.
I tapped the side of the phone. “Eh, man, are you still there?”
“You missed me?” Misha asked.
“Yeah, man." I quirked my brows. "We’re homies.”
“Interesting,” Misha said. “Well. . .I missed you too.”
I smiled. “Good.”
“I missed you a lot in fact.”
I nodded. “Alright.”
Misha continued, “It’s been an exorbitant amount of time that you have been gone, Maxwell. And this distance between us has not been enjoyable. I must say I like when you are by my side. Sometimes I think about that goodbye hug and hope that is not the last time I will see you. In fact, I miss you to the point where—”
“Hey, man.” I chuckled. “Let’s just keep it at we miss each other. I don’t know if I need a poem or anything like that.”
“Sorry.” Misha’s voice cleared. “I am not accustomed to having an exchange of feelings with men so. . .”
“That’s cool. I’m in the same position. We’re both figuring it out.” I continued to look out the window.
The driver took us away from the airport and toward the highway.
The deep blue sky was sunny and clear with only a few patches of white clouds. Palm trees outlined the sides of the highway like enormous exclamation points, signaling the beauty of the West Coast.
Damn. I’ve never fucked a California girl, but it is on my bucket list.
Misha’s voice disrupted my thoughts. “Maxwell, I will need your assistance soon.”
“How soon?”
“I’m holding back the Japanese for a while. The Dragon knows what’s going on in Italy. He’s been quiet which means Reo and the rest of the Xecutioners are silent too.”
“Yeah, but when do you think the Dragon will roar?”
“Once Fela is dealt with, I will have a few weeks after that. I want you by my side, Maxwell.”
“As long as Em is safe, I’ll be there.”
“I hoped you would say that.”
“What would you need though?”
“Have you ever been to Tokyo?”
“Hell no, but I’m down.” I whistled. “This year is becoming quite a travel period for me. I went from never leaving New York to hopping all over the world.”
“Which brings us back to my earlier question.”
“Which was?”
Worry returned to Misha's voice. “Why are you in California?”
“I’m with the Butcher.” I glanced to my side. Jean-Pierre had been watching me and was probably trying to understand as much of the conversation as he could.
“Hmm.” Concern hit Misha’s voice. “Be careful, Maxwell. I don’t trust him.”
“Me either.”
“I will make sure my eyes remain on your movement out there.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“Any sign of danger and I will send someone your way.”
“And that’s why we’re homies.”
“Talk to you soon, Maxwell.”
“Have a good day, man.” I hung up and put the phone in my pocket.
The Bentley cruised along with precision. The convoy of SUVs full of French trailed behind us.