Rhapsody (Butcher and Violinist 1)

Thanks for the history lesson, Louis.

I turned back to Celina. “Because you were so helpful for me today, I want to pay you back for all that you’ve done.”

“No need.” She waved my statement away. “I do these selfless acts because I am a child of God.”

“Good.” I frowned. “Because this is a time when you will need God.”

Rafael stirred at my side.

Louis checked over his shoulder as if making sure the FBI wasn’t heading to the airport.

I stepped close to Celina.

Two men aimed their loaded guns my way, but I didn’t give them my attention.

My gaze remained on her. “When you go home this evening, I want you to call up all your lovers.”

She raised her eyebrows.

“You have to call them and say the things that you’ve always wanted to say. The things that you think you have time to say.” I placed my hands in my pockets. “Whisper I love you. Talk about all of your precious memories. Because soon, very soon, I will kill each and every one of them. Do you love any of them?”

“Men come and go like seasons. They change. They leave. And relationships are just like seasons. Things fall. Things grow. Things get hot. Things get cold. Things get full. Things go empty.” She raised three fingers. “I don’t love men. I only love three things on this earth and Eden is one of them.”

All of the Russians behind her still aimed their guns at me.

“Do you see your men?” I continued to watch her. “They aim, but they don’t shoot, Aunt Celina.”

“Stop calling me your aunt and they’re aiming at you because it’s a warning to you to get back.”

“No. These men don’t know warnings. They only know orders, and at the moment, they’ve been ordered not to kill me.” I turned to Rafael. “Who do you think told them not to shoot me?”

Rafael shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe we should discuss this on the plane.”

I turned back to Celina. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll find out every name of every one of your lovers, and I will kill them.”

She gestured to her Russians. “Those are bold words to say to drawn guns.”

“I’m not scared of men who aim at me and don’t shoot.” I leaned closer to her, leaving only a few inches of space between us. Her Russians got antsy but didn’t make a move. I lowered my voice. “You wanted a war with me. Remember that, when the blood sky darkens to smoke, and the screams keep you up at night and the blood drowns your fucking doorstep.”

Louis cleared his throat. “Perhaps, this is a good time to end the conversation—”

“You think you can start a war with me?” Celina touched the center of her chest and laughed. “I suggest you get on the plane, before I press on my panel some more.”

I pointed to her imaginary panel and pushed at invisible buttons. “Every person that dies after this moment, their blood is on your hands.”

Rafael leaned my way and whispered, “What are you doing?”

I growled and lowered my hand. “Pushing her panel.”

She giggled. “Very cute. But if you proceed and cause a war with me for no reason—”

“Eden is a reason for war.”

“If you do this, then the blood will be on your hands too.”

I grinned. “But I like blood, Aunt Celina.”

Her expression cracked.

“Be careful.” I stepped back. “There are always casualties in wars, and I like you. Stay safe and get better men. Ones that shoot when they aim.”

I walked away.

Celina called out to me, “Go home and enjoy Paris, Jean-Pierre. Paris has nice weather at this time of year. And don’t return. This is as nice as America will be for you from now on.”

The band’s volume rose. The saxophone overplayed his notes, but it didn’t matter. She hadn’t rented them for their skill.

It took everything in me to head to the plane.

We climbed the stairs as Celina’s band continued to play J’ai Deux Amours.

Thank you, Celina. You did teach me a lesson.

The door closed.

“So, we’re heading back to Paris?” Rafael asked.

I turned to Rafael. “Tell the pilot to head to Moscow.”

His voice went up an octave. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I want to kill some Russians.”

“You know that Celina is right.”

“About what?”

“Paris does have nice weather at this time of year.”

“Fuck that. We’re going to Moscow.” I walked off and headed to the room that I usually used on Rafael’s plane far in the back where no one would bother me.

Rafael called back, “Do you really want to start a war over Eden?”

I slammed the door behind me, hoping that was message enough.

Chapter 27

Whispers of Russians

Eden

Jean-Pierre never brought up our conversation by the pool.

“I have no plans of letting you go, Eden.” He slipped his fingers through my hair. “Now, whether you decide to go is your decision.”