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 looked back at Maxwell. He must have been finished drawing the smiley face because he stood with his arms crossed over his chest. Then, he pointed at someone. “Eh, you two. Carry him to the couch.”
Two of my men appeared and did as he said.
Maxwell watched them and nodded. “Yeah. Make sure dude is next to his wife.”
They placed the man there.
“Come on. Fix his shirt and pants.”
One of the men looked my way.
I nodded.
They straightened the man’s bloodied outfit and then left the room.
Maxwell stepped out into the hallway. “All of you, leave, but guard the exits. And when the Butcher or Boris arrive, let them through.”
Maxwell shut the door and began pacing in the center of the room. Every few steps, he nervously glanced at Lunita and then looked away. “Fuck. This is going to be a long, bleak never-ending night.”
With Lunita’s hold on me, I gained the ability to speak. “Why. . .would you call Jean-Pierre down here?”
“Because the monster is evolving.”
Lunita sucked in her breath.
I gritted my teeth. Anger sank into my muscles, pulling me out of the despair. “I told you before not to call her that.”
“Oh, yeah.” Maxwell continued to pace. “I forgot. I’m supposed to have proper respect for someone who just murdered two innocent people for no fucking reason but that they volunteered to take an orphaned child.”
Lunita turned her view to the floor as if trying to hide in shame.
Maxwell stopped in front of me and tilted his head to the side. “How are you going to fix this?”
I let out a long breath. “I plan to keep Paolo with us.”
“You think?!”
“Lower your voice when you talk to me.”
“Man, I’m about to lower your ass to the ground and stomp your head out.”
Someone knocked on the door.
I let go of Lunita’s hand and rose.
“You might as well sit the fuck down, little soldier.” Maxwell stomped off. “It’s probably the Butcher.”
“That is why I stood. He needs to understand—”
“You need to shut the fuck up!” Maxwell stopped in front of the door and scowled at me. “I had this sexy maid in my room, admiring my lemon tree and probably close to sucking my dick and here we go for some more fucked up shit. So, I don’t want to hear it.”
I remained standing and fisted my hands to the side.
Maxwell opened the door.
The Butcher stepped in with his signature violin case. Instead of his usual suit, he wore all black—pants, long sleeve shirt, and boots.
For some reason that made me frown. “Let us get something clear, Butcher.”
Jean-Pierre strolled toward the couple and studied them. “What must be clear, Lion?”
“I do not know what you are here for, but—”
“He’s here because I asked him to be here.” Maxwell stepped in front of me, like he was itching for a fight. Perhaps, we both were. Surely, slamming my fist into his face would relieve some of the tension.
I stared back at him and saw that he was possibly thinking the same thing.
Jean-Pierre cleared his throat and walked over to us. “Kazimir, while you are typically in control of matters, I do believe Maxwell is the best person to help us maneuver this situation.”
“Us?”
Jean-Pierre touched his chest. “I am Emily’s friend.”
“I know what you are doing—”
“And what is that, Kazimir?”
“Looking for weaknesses to exploit and—”
“Do you think Emily is a weakness?”
“Do not twist my words.”
“It was not a twist. It was simply a question.” Jean-Pierre strolled over to Lunita and stopped two feet in front of her. “Personally, I see Emily’s. . .condition as a strength—one that I am happy to be a part of.”
I pointed his way. “You are not a part of—”
“He is.” Maxwell got back in front of my view. “And you’re going to shut the fuck up, before I shove your ass out of here.”
I curved my lips into a maddening smile. “Oh, please. Shove me.”
At his side, Maxwell flicked open his pocket knife.
I winked at him. “You will need more than that.”
“Two people dead. Lunita back for the second time. You still haven’t learned anything. Huh?”
I tensed. “Maxwell, I do not mind you taking control, but—”
“I don’t give a fuck if you mind or not.”
“Gentlemen.” Jean-Pierre returned to us. “We are wasting valuable time.”
I quirked my brows. “What?”
Maxwell gestured to Jean-Pierre. “Go on, man. Do your thing.”
The Butcher went off to the dining area and grabbed a chair.
He must go.
“Maxwell, I give you control on this. You were right about everything. Fine. However,” I spoke through clenched teeth, “What is he supposed to be doing?”
Jean-Pierre brought the chair over and placed it two feet in front of Lunita.
She tossed him a wide, odd smile, showing both rows of her teeth and even the pink of her gums.
Maxwell edged a few inches away.
Jean-Pierre bowed in front of her. “Nice to meet you.”