Sonata (Butcher and Violinist 2)

He stalked over to me.

My men raised their weapons and pointed at him.

The woman spoke for the first time. Her words shaky yet holding a warning. “Kazimir.”

Unfazed, he continued and stopped in front of me. “So, how does it feel, Jean-Pierre? You’re here. Finally, I’m naked and in the bedroom with you. Was it everything you thought it would be?”

“I’m done with games this evening. The clock is ticking. I want answers. Eden was kidnapped by the Bratva.”

Kazimir shook his head. “Is this all still about your flute player?”

“It’s the violin.”

He leaned in closer. “You start a war with me over a fucking musician?”

“The war hasn’t started yet, but it might happen.” I signaled to my men. “Take him on the balcony.”

“No.” The woman rose from the bed. She had another gun in her hand. “You can talk to him in here. Not on the balcony.”

Where the hell did, she get that gun? Rafael you didn’t check the other pillow.

No other words left her mouth.

I looked over Kazimir’s shoulder and told her, “Put the gun down.”

Kazimir’s forehead wrinkled as he glanced over his shoulder too.

And then, she shot at Rafael’s leg. She didn’t hit it but was damn close.

Fuck.

Kazimir charged me. The whole room went crazy. Everyone knew not to kill Kazimir. For now, we needed him alive to get Misha and answers. I slammed him in the head. He shoved me up against the wall. Men dragged him off.

Rafael yelled. “You almost fucking shot me?!”

The woman screamed.

And then Kazimir forgot about me, got loose of my men, and rushed her way.

Three men grabbed Kazimir and grappled him to the floor.

She’s more than important. He’s in love with her.

A new plan came. Kazimir was in no mood to help. He wouldn’t be swayed. And I didn’t have the time to play nice and beg for his help.

His Russians came into my house. His Russians were part of the deaths in Belladonna. They’d taken Eden and killed her goddamn cat.

“Enough!” I shot the gun at the ceiling.

Everyone paused.

The woman had Rafael in a headlock. I didn’t know if Rafael was flirting with her or if he really couldn’t get out that grip.

She let him go. Terror filled her eyes.

“I should fucking kill you.” Rafael rubbed his jaw and reached for her.

She ducked his grip and slid off the bed.

“You don’t lay one finger on her!” Kazimir went crazy on the floor. Another man had to help hold him back. Still with five of them on him, he moved them an inch forward, never giving up or calming down.

“She’s crazy. And he won’t say shit or doesn’t know shit.” Rafael straightened his jacket. “What now?”

I looked at the woman who’d now wrapped herself in the bed sheet. “Take her.”

Rafael widened his eyes. “You better be fucking playing with me.”

“That’s not what you want to do, Jean-Pierre!” Kazimir shoved against the men, trying to break free. The rage on his face was no way subtle. If they let him go, he would kill me first. There was no hesitation in his gaze. “You don’t want to take her. You’re smart, Jean-Pierre. Think this through.”

The Lion had shifted his message. For the first time since I’d met him, he was trying to be persuasive and present logic. He was doing his best to speak calmly.

“You heard me.” I gestured her way. “Let’s go.”

“Holy fucking shit.” Rafael grabbed her arm and pulled her out the door.

She didn’t even glance at Kazimir. And there was no fear in her gaze. Only death and rage. Her steps were careful, as if even the way she walked, and the direction was a strategy to escape.

She’s going to be a problem.

More men came in.

Louis’s voice came over in my ear. “Uh…Jean-Pierre. Did I hear that correctly? What are we doing again?”

“Plan B.”

“I don’t remember there being a plan B.”

“Now there is.” I turned back to Kazimir struggling with now six men on the floor. “Have Misha call me.”

“I told you.” Every inch of Kazimir’s face held rage. “Misha has been avoiding me.”

“So then, what could Celina have taken from your Uncle Igor, to make Misha avoid you?”

The muscle under Kazimir’s eyes twitched. He had some guesses, but it was clear that he probably didn’t know what Misha was doing at all.

Doesn’t matter, if you knew or not. You’re fucking Bratva were in my house and now they have Eden. Fix this.

“Okay, Jean-Pierre.” Kazimir let out a long breath. “Let’s calm down. I’ll call Misha now. Don’t take her from me.”

“You said yourself, Misha has been avoiding you. Get him to contact you. And when he does, he better be discussing Eden’s location and her safe return. I don’t give a fuck about what Celina took from you all. I don’t know what Misha’s tracking. I don’t care about anything else. You find the Devil. You find Eden. Or I’ll fucking play the most beautiful sonata on your lover’s spine. Her screams will be the sweetest melody.”