Sonata (Butcher and Violinist 2)

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.

None of those moments had triggered the fear, that I now experienced. The stakes were too high. I would lose too much.

Kazimir turned to me. “Have you ever seen this film?”

I didn’t even glance at the screen. “No.”

“Interesting gang story. . .with metaphor.”

“Doesn’t matter.” I frowned. “You must not miss your mouse, like I miss my Eden.”

He curved his mouth into a smile, but rage blazed in his eyes. “Mouse?”

I glared back at him. “Mouse.”

Tension thickened in the air.

Kazimir directed his view back to the screen, but the rage still thundered in his gaze. “And is that my mouse behind you?”

“It is.”

“But it’s not.”

The Mouse got to Kazimir first.

My heart hammered.

“Go ahead and confirm.” I rose. “I’m ready for this to end.”

His men pointed their guns at me.

Kazimir remained seated. “We don’t exchange yet.”

My voice rose. “We exchange now.”

Eden looked close to running. Ready to jump out of that seat. I could tell that she’d planned to leave with me no matter what, even if she was shot.

Don’t jump up yet, my love. Let me get closer to him.