A blonde even blew a kiss his way.
I looked at him.
Kaz frowned. “I’m glad you don’t have your gun.”
“You should be.”
He let go of my hand, placed his on my back, slipped it lower, and cupped my ass. “Don’t worry, mysh. You’re all I think about.”
It might have been pathetic, but I beamed with pride. “Thank you.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for when it deals with the truth.”
Thankfully, each time the dancers called out or tried to signal him, he continued walking and ignored them. I wasn’t sure what I would have done with any other response.
God, I hate being jealous. Pull your shit together, Emily. It’s just. . .really naked and gorgeous women. Tons of them. Oh never mind. Stop thinking about it.
As we walked deeper into the gentlemen’s club, more men crowded the place. With several steps, I scanned the large area searching for Zahkar.
“Do you know where he will be?”
“Of course. The brotherhood has its own area. We don’t sit out here with the peasants.”
“Of course not.”
We pressed through the crowd. Our men flanked our sides, shoving people out the way.
Kaz led me past the main lounge and down a darker hallway bathed in red light. “Zahkar will be in the VIP section.”
“A place I’m sure you’ve barely ventured.”
“At times, I’ve gone to VIP. . .but only to read my Bible.”
“Definitely.” I smirked. “I can see that.”
Two huge men stood at the door. When they spotted Kaz, they stepped aside and opened it.
It’s like he owns the place.
After entering, we strolled past a velvet curtain that opened into a small room. Not too small, it was maybe thirty feet by thirty. It had an upholstered bench running around the whole perimeter. It wasn't private. There were about ten guys in there, each of them adorned with a naked woman on his lap.
I looked around but didn’t see Zahkar.
Kaz continued to guide me forward.
I leaned Kaz’s way. “This is VIP?”
“For the regular men. The brotherhood has their own special VIP.”
“How lucky?”
“We work hard. We should play harder.”
One of our men opened a gold door.
We stepped through a red hallway that opened into a black room—black carpet, black walls, and even black tables.
Different music soared through the air. Jazzier and with no lyrics. A beautiful melody of orchestral exuberance.
In the center of the black room, one red headed woman wearing a strap-on fucked an Asian woman with long hair. The live sex performance reminded me of when I first met Kaz in New York and he’d made me meet him on a brothel rooftop. There, a couple had engaged in live sex too.
Just like in that past moment, my body responded a little. The red head pumped the plastic cock into the other, rocking the same way Kaz did with me. The women moaned and groaned against each other.
Oh my.
A wicked smile spread across my face.
Kaz cupped my ass again and then squeezed. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“I am.”
“Regardless of what happens in this meeting, I’m going to fuck you after this.”
“And I will be a very happy mouse because of it.” I shoved myself away from the show to look around the room. “But, back to business. Do you see him?”
“Not yet.”
Several men surrounded the horny pair.
“There he is.” Within the crowd, I spotted Zahkar.
One of his guys nudged him. He turned our way and stood in shock. Even though he was in a gentlemen’s club, he still had that look of a professor. Same tortoise shell glasses and classic leather watch. No diamonds or gold.
Today, he wore a tweed coat. The single-breasted jacket had a two button closure, three patch pockets, and simple buttons on his cuffs.
It was odd how all the people that Kaz and I had questioned today had very distinct styles. Jean-Pierre dripped in designer-wear and diamonds. Rolan was a mad fashion scientist with the checkerboard jacket. And here Zahkar had this odd wish to appear super academic and smart within a group of psychos and killers.
“Let’s begin, mysh.” Kaz stopped cupping my ass and went back to holding my hand.
I let out a long breath.
We got close to the small stage.
Kaz grabbed the women’s attention with a snap of his fingers and then motioned for them to leave.
Annoyed, the red head looked up. And then her expression changed. She widened her eyes and pulled the strap-on out of the Asian woman. Seconds later, they both rose and scurried away. Next, Kaz’s men prowled around the room, motioning for any men not a part of the brotherhood to get out of VIP.
Kaz continued to lead me forward.
Although he didn’t move, a worried look hit Zahkar’s face.
We stopped a foot in front of him. Kaz towered over Zahkar. I remained at his side.
The music ended after that.
The room went silent.
I studied Zahkar.
I could see why the brotherhood had nicknamed him the Colonel. Even with the tweed jacket on, Zahkar looked like he’d just taken off his uniform and was hanging out on the town. The military presence was in the way he stood and held his shoulders.
Low chatter began to ensue around us as many brothers probably wondered why we’d come to him. I checked all of Zahkar’s men that sat near him, wondering who would try to protect him if things went dark.
And then, I spotted a man sitting on a couch behind Zahkar. A blue cross covered his bald head.
I thought back to what the little kid had said outside of Yuri’s mother’s place. His name had been Red, and he’d witnessed several men break into the apartment.
“Three guys,” Red had said. “Big men. One had a bald head with a blue cross tattooed on it.”
Boris jumped in, “The blue cross was on his head?”
“Yes.” Red widened his eyes.
I lowered to his level. “What kind of clothes?”
“Suits.”
I leaned Kaz’s way. “A kid described the man who killed Yuri’s mother. He said it was a guy with a blue cross on his head.” I gestured to the bald guy. “I think that’s him.”
The man hadn’t heard what I said, but he rose, probably knowing we were talking about him.
Zahkar glanced at the baldheaded guy and then spoke to Kaz in Russian, “What is going on?”
Kaz held no humor on his face. “My mouse wants to talk to you.”
Chapter 29
The Colonel
Emily
Zahkar turned to me and shifted to English. “Hello, Emily. How can I help you?”
Nervous, I gathered my courage, stuck my hand in my pocket, and pulled out the picture. I tried to hand him the photo, but he wouldn’t take it. “Tell me about this, Zahkar.”
He glanced at it for a second and then looked back at me. “I don’t know what that is.”
“You didn’t look.”
Frowning, he turned his attention back to the photo for a few seconds and then returned his attention to me. “That’s a very old picture. That’s all I can say.”
Bullshit. You’ve definitely seen this before. Anybody else would have grabbed it and wanted to know what the fuck was going on. You’re cool and collected. Too smart for your own good.
“Interesting.” I curved my lips into a smile. “Have you seen this photo before.”
He stirred. “Perhaps, we should talk about this in a private area.”
“No. Let’s talk about it now.” I gestured to his men. “But you can get rid of them, unless you think they should die with you.”
“I do not plan on dying today, Emily.” Still, Zahkar motioned for all of them to leave. “But if it will make you feel better, they can go.”
When Mr. Blue Cross took a step,
I blocked him with my arm. “No. You stay. Nice tattoo by the way.”
He grinned at me. It was a cocky expression—one that appeared to say. . .if Kaz wasn’t here, he would beat the shit out of me.
I wish we could see, sweetie. I would show you what I’m made of. Be lucky that I’m pregnant.
I turned back to Zahkar. With no patience, I asked, “Why did you kill Yuri?”
He cleared his throat. “I didn’t kill anyone.”
“That’s your man.” I pointed to blue cross. “Is it?”
“He is.”
“He burst into Yuri’s mother’s apartment, killed her, and ransacked the place for this picture which he never found.”
“I doubt that.” Zahkar smirked. “Do you have any proof, or is all this lady’s intuition?”
One of his men snickered.
“I have a witness. I believe him. Answer my question.”
Zahkar’s expression shifted to neutral. “If he killed Yuri’s mother, I did not order him to.”
Mr. Blue Cross grimaced.
Oh, you thought that was your boy? Naw.
I leaned my head to the side. “So, he did kill my man’s mother on his own accord?”
“I don’t know what he did, but I didn’t tell him to do it.”
“Pussy.”
“I’m sorry, Emily. But what did you say?”
“Get on your knees.”
Zahkar remained standing and turned to Kaz. “What is this, Kazimir? What is going on? Pictures and accusations? Has the brotherhood become a motherhood now? Does she talk for you too?”
Saying nothing, Kaz simply glared back.
Zahkar returned his attention to me. “Emily—”
“Get on your knees or I’ll put you down myself.”
Zahkar chuckled. “I think you should relax, before you stress the baby out.”
Damn. I want to fuck him up really bad.
I assessed the situation, wondering how I could execute my threat without the baby being uninjured.
Zahkar was barrel-chested. A good seven inches taller than me and much heavier. His feet didn’t have a good stance which meant he didn’t practice balance. That was the way of men who always used guns. No preparation for hand-to-hand combat.
It would have been easier to have Kaz or my men put him down for me. But him and his guys had no respect. They hadn’t seen my work. And the other brothers hadn’t either. With this bunch, people needed to see me crack a head or two. With the brotherhood, I had to earn their respect.
Here we go.
Fast, I slapped Zahkar with the back of my hand.
He stumbled and rubbed his jaw. “Damn it. Kazimir, I will not—”
“I’m the one talking to you.”
Zahkar yelled, “Kazimir, you must—”
“Kaz won’t be stepping in.”
“Oh, he’ll step in, if I touch you.”
I shook my head. “He won’t.”
“Actually,” Kaz spoke, “I will.”
Kaz. . .I can handle myself.
I cleared my throat. “He won’t.”
“I will not allow you to touch me again.” Zahkar raised his hands in front of him. “Do not—”
“Get on the ground,” I growled.
“Why must I—”
“Because you’re a piece of shit liar.” From my pocket, I wrenched out my knife. Fast, I put the blade next to his jaw. “And I want to cut you until you tell me the truth.”
He bared his teeth. “Get that knife away from me, Emily.”
He tried to push it away. His mistake. I used his movement against him, yanking his arm up and slicing under it. Zahkar screamed in pain.
I grabbed his tie, quickly wrapped it around his neck, choking and yanking him to the ground myself. “What the fuck did I say? Get on the ground!”
He struggled, groaning and wagging his arms.
I put the blade against his cheek. “Tell me about the picture!”
Choking, he strained against the tie.
I loosened it.
“Kazimir! Get her. What the—”
“I’m talking to you.” I dug the knife into his cheek.
“Ah!”
Blood spilled out from the tip and streamed down his face.
I moved the knife away, but kept it a half an inch from the corner of his. “Relax or I’ll cut your eyeball out.”
He went still.
Part of me wanted to look over my shoulder and check Kaz’s reaction. I was sure he was losing his mind, but I hoped he wouldn’t step in. Even more, Mr. Blue Cross probably had something to say about the matter too. But I had to focus.
I kept a tight hold of the tie around Zahkar’s neck and made sure the knife’s tip stayed close to the corner of his eye. “The picture. Tell me about it. Or should I just cut out the eye now to make sure you answer me this time.”
“N-no.”
“It might speed things up.”
“The picture.” He trembled. “I. . .I didn’t see it until a few weeks ago. Right after those monkey heads were put in your bedroom. The picture just showed up in the back seat of my limo. I picked up and then slung it outside the car. That night, it was in my house, right on the desk of my office. I put it in the trash. The next day, it was on my pillow. I couldn’t get rid of the damn thing.”
I let go of the tie, moved the knife away, and stepped back. “Someone just kept on putting it there?”
Pissed, he stayed on the floor, but touched his neck. “Yes. No matter how many times I got rid of it. The photo returned. I assumed it was copies. Once I burned it. The next day, it was in my jacket pocket.”
“Who do you think put it there?”
“Due to the symbol on the back of the photo, I would say some very powerful people.”
“The Knights of Babylon?”
“You said it. I didn’t.”
“I sure did say it.” I raised my voice just in case some of those bitch asses were in there. “I’m not afraid of men who hide in the darkness under cloaks.”
Zahkar touched his cheek, dabbing at the wound I’d created. “You cut me?”
“I’ll cut you again.” I pointed the knife at his other eye. “What happened next?”
“I gave up on getting rid of the photo and put it in my drawer of my other bedroom.”
“At Kaz’s house?”
“Yes. This was during the investigation and I didn’t want my wife to see that photo.”
“What happened next?”
“One day, Yuri snuck around and decided to go through everyone’s bedrooms, looking for something that could possibly give a clue to the monkey heads.” Zahkar looked at the blood on his fingers. “My men caught Yuri leaving my bedroom. He lied and said he was looking for me. They let him go. Later, when I went into my room, I checked my drawer and noticed the picture was gone.”
“And then you killed Yuri?”
Zahkar remained silent.
Fast, I jabbed the knife into his shoulder and yanked out.
He screamed in agony.
“Hello! Answer me. And then you killed Yuri?”
Blood spurt from his shoulder.
“Should I do it again?”
“No. Please—”
“And then you killed him over a fucking photo?”
“Yes!” He held his shoulder. Blood continued to spill from his fingers. “I did. He wouldn’t give me the picture back. He wanted you to see it first. I knew that Kazimir would realize that it was my father and think that I had something to do with the monkey heads!”
“Did you have something to do with it?”
“No.” His body shook. He placed his bloody hands into a praying position. “I killed Yuri, but I had nothing to do with that.”
I studied him. “But that’s not it?”
“What?”
“You sent your men over to Yuri’s mother to get the picture.”
He nodded. “She didn’t know anything about it, but I wasn’t sure so. . .”
“She had to die.”
“I. . .I just wanted to make sure that I didn’t lose Kazimir’s trust—”
“So, your man killed her and ransacked the apartment?”
“Y-yes.”
I swung my knife at my side. “Back to the Knights of Babylon.”
Zahkar shook his head over and over. “I-I don’t know a-anything about them. I think they delivered the picture. The mark was on the back.”
“Why do you think they delivered it?”
“To…blackmail me. T-to get me to do things for them.”
“Did anyone ever contact you?”
He looked away. “No.”
I stabbed his other shoulder.
He cursed over and over in Russian. More blood stained his tweed jacket. Some reddened the white collar of his shirt, making it pink.
“What did they ask?”
“I. . .I can’t. . .they said they would kill my wife.”
“Don’t you understand, Zahkar?” I lowered and glared at him. “If you don’t say anything, I’m going to kill your wife, and that shit won’t be pretty.”
He spat at me. Warm saliva hit my cheek.
Shocked and enraged, I dug the knife into his throat. Blood sprayed at my face.
Fuck. I wasn’t done. Damn it. I should have controlled myself.
I’d been so mad. I acted, instead of thinking it through. I rose and backed away, wiping away the spit and blood.
Meanwhile, Zahkar crashed to the floor. His body shifted into spasms. Men gazed at him in shock. The rest were straight faced, probably scared to die today also.
I glanced over my shoulder at Kaz.
He glared down at Zahkar. Fury covered his face. His fisted hands lay at his sides. And I could swear that his rage was not directed at me.
Okay. I didn’t do too bad.
Swallowing, I turned to Mr. Blue Cross.
He backed up several feet.
I walked over to him.
“Listen, I only followed orders.” He edged away. “I didn’t even know the lady.”
“I understand.”
“It was quick. I smashed her head fast.”
“Okay. Relax.” I continued to head towards him. “I won’t kill you.”
He stopped. “No? Thank you—”
“Boris will kill you. You’ll come back to the penthouse with us, and Boris will take his time with you. As long as he wants. I don’t know what he’ll use on you, but you can think about what it could be on your ride there.”
Dirty Passions Page 33