by Kenya Wright
“Where are we meeting?”
Jean-Pierre walked off with me. “Forums de Halls. In the Cinema. Theater 7. I had the local police clear the place, as much as they could without alerting too many people. Apparently, the theater could not be emptied, due to a private businessman renting it for the day.”
“Kazimir.” I whistled. “It’s going to be fireworks at the mall today. I hope they got out as many people as possible.”
“I did my best to warn all the authorities. They’re emptying the area now and stopping the trains.”
“Why did he pick it?” I asked.
“Three levels, but the theater is close enough to the underground subway. Tons of places to sneak off and exit. Even if I know the area, there would still be a way out for him.”
The Forum des Halles was its own little underground city. It had 150 stores along with high end restaurants, a hip-hop center, swimming pool, library, and gymnasium. It would be a maze getting out of that place.
“And if the Mouse has already contacted the Lion?” I asked.
“Cellphone towers are down.” Jean-Pierre gripped the phone hard. “I had to put in a call to make it happen. That keeps things tricky for the next hour.”
“The Mouse can’t contact the Lion, but you can’t contact Eden either.”
“We need to end this today.” I climbed inside the limo.
“Before everyone dies.”
Silence fell upon the limo, as we headed to the mall. No one had gotten any sleep. Not even Gwen, who’d I’d woken up to make food for Giorgio yesterday.
Or was it two days ago?
I didn’t even know how many days had passed. A darkness had pooled around time as each tragedy struck—Eden’s kidnapping, Shalimar’s death, and even the destruction of the restaurant—the one symbol I’d had of my love for her. Now those crumbled bricks on the ground truly represented us.
I thought back to the moment on the balcony.
Gwen brought out my plate. “You should eat.”
“I’m not hungry, but thanks.”
She handed me the damn plate and put the fork in my hand. “Two bites and I’ll leave you alone.”
I frowned. “You’ll leave me alone regardless.”
She looked nervous, but defiance hit her voice. “I won’t. You should eat. A lot has happened.”
“You don’t know the half.”
“Then, tell me.”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
She shrugged. “I might understand, more than you think.”
What had that meant?
I’d been talking about Jean-Pierre and our way of life—guns and death, women and obsession. She’d gazed right back at me, as if there wasn’t much that would shock her.
Earlier, she’d been shaken, but she hadn’t flinched at the restaurant’s destruction. She’d run though, faster than all of us to the car. When we got to Shalimar’s Airbnb, she’d been silent as the men moved around, watching, but not watching. Staying quiet and out of the picture.
On the balcony, she had pointed at the food. “Two bites.”
“I’m not a child.” I lifted the food and ate, unable to limit myself to two bites. “But, thank you.”
“I’m sorry. I watch my nephew all the time. It’s hard to not be a bit motherly.”
I shoveled more food into my mouth, realizing I’d been starving.
“If you ever want to talk about anything, you can.” She walked off to the edge of the balcony and stared out at the city.
Smoke rose in some sections. Police sirens blared. Kazimir and Jean-Pierre had made a mess of Paris. Soon none of us would able to live here.
She shook her head. “I left New Orleans to get away from this. I thought Paris would be different.”
I didn’t know why I said it, but I did. “Give me a few weeks.”
She turned around. “What do you mean?”
“Give me a few weeks to show you Paris.”
Should I have even made the promise?
The only thing I really wanted to do now, was kill Russians. Anybody that was involved with Shalimar’s death would die, including Celina. Deep down Jean-Pierre probably knew that. It would cause a little friction, but we would survive. There was no way I would let Celina live now. She’d brought danger right to our door.
The limo moved through the streets of Paris.
I studied Gwen.
She’d been watching me too.
Killing Russians can wait for now. First, I’ll bury Shalimar. Next. . .I’ll show Gwen Paris.
Until then, I had to keep all of us safe. We were going into the Lion’s den now, even though it was still our city. Kazimir had found ways to navigate through our blocks and control sections. We had to stay on our toes.
I looked at Louis. My cousin had been stealing glances at Gwen.
Really? Pick one of them. Or maybe I’m being a horny bastard and paranoid.
I didn’t think I was. Louis had been downstairs with the chef’s sister when Emily had escaped. She’d picked the perfect timing.
We can’t be thinking with our dicks in these next hours. We have to play it straight.
I returned my attention to Gwen.
“I left New Orleans to get away from this. I thought Paris would be different.”
What had she gone through back there? What had she seen?
My mind was intrigued. Anything was better, than thinking of the reality of Shalimar’s death. Anything to distract me.
When Giorgio and I had searched for a chef, it had been impossible. No one had showed up. No one was excited about me being their boss. They probably assumed violence and chaos would come their way.
And they were right.
But Gwen applied.
Had she heard the rumors?
Now Gwen sat with us, being pulled into one of Jean-Pierre’s crazy obsessions. Not that his feelings for Eden, could be put in any category of his past obsessions. His love for her had surpassed anything, that I’d ever seen among all of us.
I knew as we rode in this limo, that Jean-Pierre was prepared to die today if only to save Eden from any danger.
Damn it. I’ll have to watch him too.
We arrived. Forum des Halles stood before us. I remembered being out here over a week ago, sad about the state of Shalimar and me.
Now what?
Like a gigantic sheet heaving above Paris, the huge roof of steel and glass covered the Forum des Halles. It rose fourteen meters high and was made of fifteen glass canopies. They cut the sky like huge blades and reflected the sunlight.
A week ago, Shalimar was walking those long hallways filled with stores and riding up and down the escalator to this level and that. A week ago, she’d been alive. How I wished I could bring back a week ago.
We made it to one of the service entrances on the side. Men sat on motorcycles with guns strapped to their chest. Louis hadn’t half-assed this plan at all.
Giorgio had never got on the plane to everyone’s dismay. He now sat in the passenger side of a small black van while one of his main guards drove.
If things got sticky, Giorgio’s van, and armed bikers would swoop inside the mall through the service entrance, sped our way, and hopefully stop us from being bombarded by Russians.
Louis placed a small bud in his ear and pressed the center. “Can you hear me?”
The person must’ve spoke back.
“Good,” Louis said to the person. “We’re at the Northeast service entrance. Level two. Do you have cameras on the cinema?”
Jean-Pierre stared at Louis like a wild man, waiting for his response.
“Okay. Good. Do you see Eden? Okay. Good. We’re coming.” Louis turned to Jean-Pierre. “Eden is fine. They have camera’s inside of theater 7. She’s sitting in the front with Kazimir. There’s a movie playing. The Lion is talking and sitting next to her.”
Jean-Pierre didn’t look pleased, but what could he say. He did take the Lion’s mouse. Why wouldn’t the Lion flaunt Eden in front of him?
/> Fast, Jean-Pierre got to the other van.
Louis opened it.
I helped Gwen in.
Our men followed, jumping inside.
The van was a decent size. Benches were on both sides. Two large bags sat in the center, with guns and boxes of ammo. Gwen sat between Louis and me. Jean-Pierre was across from us next to his men.
The door closed.
The van moved.
My heart sped up at the possibilities before us. Now was the time. The moment that’d we’d been waiting for these past hours.
Scowling at Jean-Pierre, I murmured. “Fi-na-fucking-ly.”
Still wearing a scowl, he quirked his eyebrows. “What?”
“Fi-na-fucking-ly.”
Louis snorted, as the van bounced us a little. “That’s not a word.”
“It is,” I argued. “And I can use it in a sentence.”
Gwen gave me a nervous smile. “Go ahead.”
“I’m ready for Jean-Pierre to get Eden, so we can fi-na-fucking-ly end this.”
Jean-Pierre nodded. “I agree.”
Louis shrugged. “Fi-na-fucking-ly is right.”
“This shit will come to an end one way or the other.”
“Shit.” Louis pressed his hand against the bud in his ear. The guy must’ve said something on the other line. “Okay. Got it. I’ll tell him. Jean-Pierre, the cellphone towers are back on.”
Jean-Pierre quirked his eyes. “Kazimir probably didn’t appreciate the lack of communication?”
Now we had less time than before. Only God knew where the Mouse scurried off too. If she could kill Jean-Pierre’s men in minutes, then she could get to a phone and call Kazimir.
Jean-Pierre gestured to the guy next to him. “Tell the driver to speed up.”
He pulled out his phone and called. The van’s movement increased, causing us to bounce more. I’d seen a ramp going down by the entrance and wasn’t sure when we’d entered the mall.
“We’re inside.” Louis pulled a map out and showed it to all of us. “We’re five minutes from the theater. We already entered right here.”
Louis slipped his hand down to a green box. “That’s the theater.”
On the outside, the van honked several times. Our driver must’ve been telling shoppers to get out of the way. The van swerved. Gwen fell into me.
“Sorry,” she whispered.
“That’s okay. Stay close to me.” With one hand, I held the bench. I placed my free arm around her waist to keep her close to me as the van swerved again.
Louis pointed at one of the entrances in the green box. “We get in and out right here.”
“How are we doing that again?” I asked.
“Follow the plan and it will be fine,” Jean-Pierre claimed. “I go in before you and ask to talk to Eden. I get to her. I tell her to run. I cover you all as you grab her.”
Suicidal.
I tried to save the situation. “What if we tell Kazimir that we lost his mouse—”
“He wouldn’t believe that she escaped.” Louis shook his head. “And even if we did, how could we prove it? And even if we could, how can we be sure that Kazimir won’t kill Eden, because he’s pissed at Jean-Pierre.”
“I still don’t know how Jean-Pierre is going to—”
“Your job is to grab Eden, Rafael. I’ll get out.” Jean-Pierre scowled. “Focus on her.”
Jean-Pierre glanced at Gwen and Louis. “Everyone remember their positions?”
The van swerved. We bumped to the left. Gwen remained close to my side. Her perfume scent filled my nose. That fragrance had been soothing me on the balcony. Now I wished I had a bottle of it for later. Something bad could happen in these next moments.
If anything, we could save Eden, but what about Jean-Pierre?
I shouldn’t have, but I pulled Gwen in closer, inhaling her some more. Wanting to escape in her flesh and forget the world.
The van stopped.
Damn it. I’d almost left this moment for a second.
Jean-Pierre’s men opened the door. Gwen put on sunglasses. She’d taken a wig from Natalie’s room that looked close to Emily’s hairstyle. It was the best we could do under the circumstances.
Fucking suicidal. Goddamn it.
It was odd leaving the van. Nature to a building. The bright lights shined in my eyes, after being in that dark van.
Fast, seven of my guys appeared at the van. They must’ve already been here. Half of them followed me. Others walked off with Jean-Pierre. Louis and Gwen came out next. Louis’ men surrounded them.
Here we go.
Russians flanked the outside of the theater and glared at us. No guns out, but I knew they had weapons. As long as they thought we had the Mouse, we would not be harmed.
Too bad we don’t have her.
All our men surrounded our van, not giving the Russians a clear view of Jean-Pierre or Gwen.
I’m really doing this with his crazy ass.
We walked forward.
Our men gathered in a circle around us.
We just have to get inside. If any of the men realize that it’s not the Mouse and contact Kazimir before we get into the theater, then we’re fucked.
We entered. Thirty men deep into a theater full of Russians. The smell of popcorn filled the air. My stomach growled. Gwen held my hand.
Louis whispered to her on his side, “Let his hand go, Gwen. You’re Emily now.”
“That’s right.” Gwen dropped it.
I gritted my teeth. At least with Gwen’s hand in mine, I could keep her safe. I switched spots with Louis. Now she stood behind Louis and Jean-Pierre. Five men walked in front. Three on each side. And close to twenty behind us.
I barely took anything in as we made it to theater 7.
All I could hear was my heart. All I could think about, was death and getting everyone out alive.
We waited as half of our men entered. There were close to fifteen of our heavy shooters from all over the world. One of them could knock out five guys in a minute on a sunny day. As they entered, I wondered how they would do it in this theater.
We followed next.
The rest of our men stood outside.
Inside, Kazimir and his Russians had seen us all enter. They knew we were coming, and how many were there.
This will work, if we can get out of the theater.
Plainclothes local police surrounded the mall, along with military.
None of that matters, if we can’t get out of the mall.
Everyone had to do this careful. Even Kazimir. Surely he had a plan to get out.
If not, he’ll die today.
I walked in before Jean-Pierre, Gwen, and Louis.
Okay. There they go.
Far off in the front row, Kazimir remained in his seat next to Eden. I knew they heard us. Eden had glanced over her shoulder and hadn’t turned around yet.
We’re coming, beautiful.
A bandage covered one side of her face.
I gazed back at Jean-Pierre’s reaction. Rage and joy battled in his expression.
Keep calm. Don’t kill anyone, Jean-Pierre. Stick to the plan.
Ten Russians stood like soldiers in front of the screen. One man blocked each fire exit.
An old gangster movie played on the movie screen up front.
Jean-Pierre sped up, passing me.
Okay. So, we’re no longer following the plan. Why am I not surprised?
Increasing our speed, we hurried with Jean-Pierre.
Fuck. He’s already acting out of order.
Two men stopped us midway. We must’ve been ten feet from the front row. One of the Russians spoke to our men in front, “Move out of our way, Jean-Pierre. We’re supposed to confirm that it’s Emily.”
Our guys remained there.
Jean-Pierre walked in front of them.
I followed.
Louis remained with Gwen.
The Russian growled, “You’re supposed to stay here, until we confirm that it’s Emily.”
/>
“That’s your mouse.” Jean-Pierre gestured behind us. “She’s right there. But is that Eden?”
“It’s her.” The Russian gritted his teeth. “Move.”
Jean-Pierre tilted his head to the side. “When I confirm that it’s Eden, then you can confirm.”
The Russian turned around, as if to yell his dilemma to the Lion.
But before he could speak, Kazimir interrupted, “Tell the Butcher to come here.”
Jean-Pierre didn’t wait for the command.
He walked past the two men.
I followed.
Our guys blocked them from getting close to Louis or Gwen.
Okay. Here we go.
My heart pounded with each step.
And even worse, I noticed something, that I didn’t think anyone else did. Kazimir had been on the phone when we had walked in.
Now a devilish expression decorated his face. “I see things are getting interesting, Jean-Pierre.”
Was that the Mouse on the phone?
Chapter 24
Anything for Her
Jean-Pierre
Rafael and I stepped forward. Guns under our jackets. Both ready to snap the Lion’s neck. The front row came closer and closer, but not fast enough. By the time I rounded the corner, Eden turned to me. She looked like she was about to jump out of the chair. A large bandage covered the side of her face.
Who did that to you, reine?
Kazimir looked at me. “Come sit next to me, Jean-Pierre. Tell the funny one to stay there.”
Good. Rafael should stay over there anyway.
Still, something was wrong. Kazimir hadn’t moved from his chair upon us arriving. He gripped his phone in his hand and appeared to have an inside joke.
He had to know that I’d lost his mouse.
How will this go?
I walked over.
It was hard to pass Eden, without stopping to touch her.
She watched me, holding the sides of her seat.
I got to Kazimir’s right, sat down, and looked at Rafael.
Be ready, cousin. We won’t have that much time. Get her out of here safely.
Rafael nodded, as if he heard me.
Eden’s chest rose and fell, but she remained quiet. Thank God. Had she spoken; I might’ve lost my ability to think. It had been so long, since I’d heard her voice.
So close. So fucking close, and she would be in my arms. All I had to do was get us out of this theater. I’d been in many tough situations. People had blocked me. Russians. Yakuza. Celina. Igor.