“Thank you.” I nodded.
She gestured for us to come forward as she disappeared.
Large windows served as the walls. Paris sparkled and glittered all around us. The space gave us the best view in the city. Only one table sat in the small room. Gold silk covered it.
In the back of the room, two servers set out dishes and uncovered trays of simmering food. A savory aroma drifted from them. Men brought in large vases stuffed with long-stemmed roses and lined the room. On the right, a man sat down at the piano and tuned the keys.
It had all been a special package—an expensive one that had only been used twice in the past decade. I wondered who’d used the other one.
Definitely worth the money.
I stepped off with him. “Why do you think the zodiac has it wrong?”
“Cancers are crabs.”
“And?”
“I’m a lion.”
“Oh God.”
“I must be a Leo.”
“You can’t be a Leo, Kaz. You were born two weeks before that sign begins.”
“But I’m a lion.”
I shook my head. “You’re definitely a Cancer. A little bit delusional at times.”
As if owning the place and knowing all the details of my date, he escorted me to the table at the center and poured me some champagne. Several servers hurried around us, setting the table with food.
“Do you know many Cancers?” he asked.
“My best friend Kennedy was.”
“The friend we found dead in your art gallery?”
“Yes.” A sad ache filled me. “Kennedy was big into astrology. She had so many books about it. All I know is from her.”
He poured his own glass of champagne. “What’s your sign?”
“Virgo. We’re compatible according to astrology.”
“Good for astrology or I would’ve killed it.”
“Because that’s possible of course.”
“Of course.”
I sipped my champagne and smiled. “After Kennedy, I thought Cancers were humble and moody creatures but sweet, nonetheless. And then I met you.”
“After me, what’s your view on Cancer Leos?”
“Cancer Leos are not a thing. And now, I no longer have any idea. I think you are an oddity among Cancerians, but who knows? Maybe they’re all crazy as you.”
“You’re calling me crazy?”
“I am.” I winked at him.
He glanced around at the large windows surrounding the room. There were two telescopes at the only open window. He leaned back in his chair and sipped more of his champagne. “Never a boring day with you, mysh.”
“You like my surprise?”
“Yes. You’re the only one who has ever surprised me. It’s record-breaking that you’ve done so twice. Who helped?”
“Pavel.”
“I’m shocked he put down his brush to do it.”
“Leave Pavel and his hair alone.”
He gave me an intense stare. “I’m finding that I love your surprises.”
“...You’re the only one that has ever surprised me...”
I didn’t want to venture into any of his exes. All I knew was about the famous Russian ballerina who had died in Prague. Maxwell told me Valentina had killed her, but never gave me the reason and swore I had nothing to worry about from her.
Still, I was a little nosy when it came to the lovers from his past. “None of your ex-girlfriends surprised you?”
“They weren’t girlfriends and no, none of them surprised me. Not that I allowed for those things.”
“What did you allow then?”
“I liked for them to stay where I put them.”
I almost choked on the champagne. “What do you mean?”
“I would meet someone and decide she could be my lover for the time. I got her a place and an account. After that, there was no need for her to go anywhere.”
“But they still lived their lives?”
“As long as they were available when I wanted them.”
“Well, that was nice of you.”
A wicked grin hit his face as he sipped more champagne.
I tapped my finger against the glass. “I hope you don’t miss that sort of compliance.”
“I don’t miss it.” He set his glass down. “And you comply.”
“Do I?”
He licked his lips. “When it counts.”
“And when I don’t comply?”
“Then, I learn.” He rose from the table, walked over to me, and took my hand. “Had I bound you with restrictions, I would’ve never hunted along the French countryside, catching boars and watching my lady wrestle down a beast.” His eyes brightened with pride. “With you, I live more. I laugh.”
I rose with him. “I’m glad you had fun.”
“Always with you.” He led me to the window where the telescopes stood. The top was slid open. Being afraid of heights, I didn’t look down. Instead, I gazed at the sky and stood in front of him as he held me from behind, wrapping those huge arms around me.
That deep voice filled the night air. “We may not need the telescopes. We’re so close.”
“We are.”
“And then how can I look at the moon or the stars when you shine brighter than both?”
My body melted against him.
Damn, I love this man.
His voice held excitement. “Tonight, we’ll see the lunar eclipse from the best spot in Paris. Tonight, the sun, earth, and moon will perfectly line up, and I’ll be holding you above Paris. This is the best surprise anyone has given me. I couldn’t think of a better night.”
His words left me breathless as I beamed under the moon’s glow.
I’d been disappointed with not getting the Paris Observatory, but everything happened for a reason. It all worked out in the end.
I leaned my head back on Kazimir, loving the strength of him. “It’s even bigger than a lunar eclipse. They’re calling this full moon a super blood moon.”
Kazimir’s body tensed behind me. “A super blood moon?”
“Yes.”
“Hmmm.” His body never relaxed.
“It’s going to turn red.” I gestured to the telescopes. “We should see a good show. During the lunar eclipse, Earth will completely block out direct sunlight from reaching the Moon. The only light reflected from the lunar surface will be refracted by Earth's atmosphere. So the moon will turn red. It’s the same effect that causes the red color in sunsets.”
“Interesting.” But his tone had changed and the hardness in his body had not disappeared.
I turned around, lifted my arms to his shoulder, and held him. “What’s wrong?”
“A lunar eclipse and a super blood moon. I’m not sure me or the earth is ready for that. Enough has happened this year.”
I laughed.
“You’re laughing at me?”
“I’m not. I’m just seeing more of the Cancer come out of you.”
He ran his fingers through my hair.
I turned back around and let him hold me from behind. “It doesn’t matter what’s happening in the sky, Kaz. We’ll survive.”
His body relaxed. “You’re right. Nothing can come against or between us. Nothing has and it never will.”
“What scared you so much about lunar eclipses?”
“They cause huge transformations. Many see eclipses as the universe’s comic hand, helping things rush along.”
Grinning, I envisioned a black, massive hand diving from the sky and covered in stars, soaring down to push stuff around. “So, eclipses can be a good thing?”
“Kind of. It forces you to see things you don’t want to see.”
“Which is good?”
“And aggravating when there are other things going on.”
“But if it’s coming from the universe, as you say, then you can trust the direction the hand is guiding you in.”
“This is true.” His voice brightened. “Endings are necessary to make way
for new beginnings.”
“But what about the blood moon? How is that bad?”
“Uncle Igor loved blood moons. He did rituals in his castle there. He prepared weeks and months before time. He...”
I glanced over my shoulder at him. “What?”
His face remained neutral. “He liked to get all of his enemies, keep them under his castle, and bring them out for a blood moon. There, he shed their blood under the moonlight. Many sacrifices.”
“Whoa. Uncle Igor was really about that life.”
“He was. I never attended.”
“I wouldn’t have either.” I turned back to gaze at the starlit sky.
“But, for that reason, I always thought of the blood moon as a time to kill. A time for war.”
“And tonight, you sip champagne from the Eiffel Tower with the dopest woman on the planet.”
He chuckled behind me. “Yes, mysh. Tonight, my concept of the blood moon is changing.”
“Maybe it’s the power of the eclipse changing your old ideas and transforming them to new ones.”
“Perhaps.” His chest hardened. “I will still call your men to Paris. Things are getting tense.”
“What?” I left his arms and turned his way. “I mean I’m glad, but...do you think there’s a threat? Did the French bother you again?”
Yesterday, he’d told me about the French gang coming into his steam treatment and annoying him.
“No. The pansies have been quiet besides more of their men following us.” He shook his head and walked over to the table. “But with this eclipse and super blood moon...one must pay attention to what’s happening in the universe. To ignore it would be to lose.”
I widened my eyes. While I was enjoying my alone time with Kazimir—he was everything and more to me—I did feel a bit naked without my men. A lot of the time, I had to depend on Kazimir’s men to help me out. I would’ve rather they be protecting him instead of doing my errands.
I walked over to him as he handed me my glass. “Don’t worry, Kaz. We’ll be fine.”
“We will, but having your men here will keep things safe. I’ll have Zahkar arrange everything now. I was being jealous and overprotective. Your men could be a good thing.”
I opened my mouth in shock as he pulled out his phone. “You’re serious?”
“Yes. They’re your men. I’ve been being childish about it.” He shrugged. “Perhaps, this is the lesson from the eclipse. I need to give you space. Let you do your thing as you’re always saying.”
I grinned. “Thank you, Kazimir.”
“That giant better not punch you again.”
“It was training.”
“Only I train you from now on.”
Well, at least we have a little growth from him, but not too much. He’s still the lion after all.
“This phone call will be quick, mysh. And then I’ll return to the blood moon and you.”
He put his phone to his ear, went to the window, and barked out orders as he gazed into the darkening sky. “Yes. You heard me. Have them all flown out here.”
I called out, “Blue and Lemon should come.”
Kazimir rolled his eyes. “Apparently, there’s a Blue one and a Lemon one that should take top priority.”
Really, you’re judging our nicknames, Mr. Lion? I mean really?
Kazimir turned to me. “Zahkar wants to know if she’s the one with the blue hair?”
“Yes. That’s Blue. See? I keep it simple.”
Kazimir spoke into the phone. “Yeah, that’s the one. The one you find annoying. Send her and the orange.”
“Lemon,” I corrected.
“Sorry. Lemon. And any of the other ones. But keep it down to ten. I don’t want another visit from the perfumed pansies until it’s time to kill them.” He shut off the phone and put it away. “Why’s the other one named Lemon?”
“Her name is Lemonotsky.”
“Where is she from?”
“Siberia.”
“Then that’s not her real name.”
“It was the name she gave me.”
“Pavel will need to look into all of them.”
I left my seat and got to his side. “I expected no less from you.”
“Good.” He gathered me in his arms. “Then, let’s enjoy the eclipse.”
As we gazed at the sky without telescopes, Kazimir continued to ask me questions about my crew.
“The blue-haired one.” Kazimir stepped to his telescope and toyed with it. “Was she the one that had the thick envelope delivered to you last night?”
“Yes.”
“What was in it?”
I adjusted the lenses on the telescope and decided to mess around with mine too. “She’s my computer whiz. It was all information on the Butcher and his cousins.”
He rose from the telescope and glared at me. “Why are you looking into them again?”
“Because they were following us on our date, and then of course later, they went into your steam room—”
“But I’m sure you didn’t know that prior to you asking for the information.”
“I didn’t, but I was still curious.” I looked through the telescope.
“And your thoughts?”
“Blue found some images of the men Jean-Pierre has killed. I get why they call him the Butcher.”
“Tell me more.”
“From first glance at the victims, one would think he was hacking away at the bodies.” I rose from the telescope and slowly sliced the air. “But there’s a sort of sing-song way he cuts them.”
“One can tell a lot from a person’s kill. What did you get from his victims?”
“Looking at the way he kills, I would say Jean-Pierre is probably meticulous, inventive, and definitely a perfectionist.”
Kazimir held humor on his face. “Fascinating. More, mysh.”
“I didn’t know why, until I looked further into his past. Jean-Pierre used to be a popular violinist.”
Kazimir laughed.
“What’s so funny about that?”
“Nothing.” He laughed again. “Tell me more about the Butcher and his musical talent.”
“Well, he can’t play anymore. His hands were damaged. I went through the medical records.”
“Your Blue is good.”
“A great electric thief. Good on getting data fast.”
“She should meet Misha, if he ever decides to show his face.” Kazimir frowned. “What else did you learn?”
I pretended to play the violin. “This is how Jean-Pierre kills. Some of his weapons are tricked out bows. They have blades on them.”
“Hmmm. This makes me like him a little more. He’s not just perfume and frilly clothes. There’s some edge.”
“You’re so wrong.” I chuckled.
“And what about the cousins?”
“Oh yes.” I turned the knob, sure I had the best view now for the moon. “His cousins are Rafael, Giorgio, and Louis.”
“You remember their names?”
“What else did I have to remember on our vacation? I read their file by the pool this morning. It was as fascinating as reading a good book.”
“I still can’t remember their names.”
“Because you have a lot of enemies.”
“And they die so fast. I’ve stopped trying to remember them.”
Pride hit me with those words. There was something awesome about being with such a powerful and dangerous man.
“Which one do they call the funny one?” Kazimir asked.
“Oh yeah. So I think that must be Rafael. He seems the funniest out of them all. And you said one of them took their clothes off in the steam room. That seems like a very Rafael thing to do.”
“Rafael.” Kazimir repeated it back to himself. “Next time I see him, he better be wearing pants. Which one is the Butler?”
“The Butler is Giorgio, and my understanding is that no one really calls him that to his face.”
“Good. It’ll be the first thing I say
to him.”
I laughed. “And the last cousin is Louis. Blue couldn’t find out much about him because he had firewalls or whatever the technical thing it is that blocked Blue from getting his data.”
Kazimir nodded. “Yes. One of them is supposed to be good at security on all levels.”
“That’s all I have for now. It’s a thick file. I’m just looking at old police reports in this city called Belladonna.”
“Jean-Pierre mentioned the city in the steam room. He said people were dying there.”
“Should I have Blue look into it?”
“We don’t work for Jean-Pierre. Whatever it is, doesn’t concern me.”
“These four could be a good group to—”
“To what, mysh, align with?” Kazimir shook his head. “The brotherhood doesn’t need any friends.”
“Fair point.”
Who was I to tell Kazimir how to run the Bratva when I’d just been happily invited for the ride?
However, I wouldn’t disregard the Corsican. The four men may have been impeccably dressed and, according to Kazimir, sweet-smelling, but they were definitely killers. Photos of their victims packed my file. The deaths were nothing pretty.
The four moved like a professional crew. Like Kazimir, they grew up in this world and had become very good at what they did.
I planned to keep a close eye on them.
He came over to my telescope and checked the view. “Good.”
I winked. “I’m not bad at this astronomy thing.”
“You’re not.” He hit me with an intense gaze. “I think I like this Blue. She’ll be a good resource for you.”
“I hope so.”
“And I think I’m lucky to have met you, Emily.”
“I feel the same way.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“Then, you ready?”
I swallowed. “For?”
“More.”
“There’s more that can happen with us?”
“Lots more.”
I thought he would bring up marriage or even the possibility of my being pregnant—something my mind was not ready to consider this trip.
Holding the doctor’s appointment off for Moscow was the only way my brain could wrap around it.
Me, a mother? I’m still having dreams about slicing off the dicks from screaming men tied up in hotel rooms.
I blinked.
Dirty Hearts: The Lion and The Mouse (Book Three) Page 20