Dirty Minds: An Interracial Russian Mafia Romance

David shook his head. “I vote to take the woman with us. She can clean up at my grandmother’s house. We’re super close, and we should keep our eyes on her.”

I checked with Maxwell, not sure why, just wanting to do anything to get Emily back.

“Fine with me.” Maxwell nodded. “I don’t know why we’re going to anybody’s grandmother house, but at least we’re close to getting Em back.”

“Then, let’s go.” I headed out.

The rest followed.

My gut loosened a little, but no hope came. I had Jean-Pierre’s woman. I needed to let him know, so that he would keep his hands off my mouse. As soon as that was done we would need an exchange. I had no idea what would be the best place. I have never had to do an exchange for something so important, so precious.

If you’re not smart, Jean-Pierre, I will find an opportunity to kill you.

We got into David’s grandmother’s limo.

David and Pavel had jumped in the jeep to prepare for the exchange.

Jean-Pierre’s dirty woman had already been inside of the limo. Still frazzled, she sat far away and across from us. I was thankful, since it was clear that she’d urinated on herself a few times.

She raised her hands a little. Her fingers were swollen. One of her index fingers looked like it was bent the other way. Still, she petted the invisible thing on her lap.

Maxwell studied the woman. “We should clean her up too. Give her a dress and some shoes or something—”

“This isn’t a fucking makeover show.” I typed Jean-Pierre’s number, and brought the phone to my ear.

I’ve got your woman, idiot. Now give me back mine.

“You know what they say.” Maxwell shrugged. “Honey catches more bees, than lemonade.”

I frowned. “It’s vinegar.”

Maxwell shook his head. “You can’t catch bees with vinegar.”

“Not bees, but. . .” I gave up. “I may kill you before we get to Emily.”

“She’ll be really sad, if you do.”

Jean-Pierre’s phone went straight to the answering machine, as if he’d turned it off.

No. why would he have turned it off.

Maxwell smiled at the woman. “Don’t worry, Eden. We’ll get you a nice dress and some shoes. And a shower. Not that you smell bad. Well. . .fuck it. You do smell bad, but I understand why. You had to survive.”

Answer the damn phone, Jean-Pierre.

“Stop talking to her.” I hung up. “Jean-Pierre isn’t answering.”

“You know why?” Maxwell shook his head. “He’s not answering because you probably killed him and Emily, with all that damn mayhem you’ve caused around Paris—”

“It’s my tactic.”

“Horror and chaos?”

“I’ve found it works.”

The woman loudly cleared her throat, as if she wanted our attention.

We turned her way.

“You’re. . .” She cleared my throat again. “You’re giving me to Jean-Pierre?”

“Yes.” I nodded.

Tears left her eyes.

I gritted my teeth. “As soon as he decides to answer his phone.”

Maxwell kept his gaze on me. “Knowing my sis? Emily probably took the phone.”

I hope she did. I hope she is giving Jean-Pierre a hard time.

For a second, I smiled.

But then I realized that any too forceful of a move, could get Emily killed.

Be careful, mouse. I’m close. I’m coming to get you soon.

The smelly woman spoke up, “You’re the Lion?”

“So, Jean-Pierre talks about me to you?” I smiled. “I’m not surprised. Jean-Pierre has a problem with obsessions.”

She blinked and turned to Maxwell.

I didn’t know why, but Maxwell chose to explain things further to her. “Jean-Pierre decided to kidnap Emily—my sister and Kazimir’s… lady. Apparently, Jean-Pierre did that, because he thought we kidnapped you, which we kind of did, but not truly. So, we’re sorry, but then again, we’re not.”

I dialed Jean-Pierre’s line again. “Be quiet.”

Maxwell rolled his eyes. “I have a question for you, Eden?”

Her voice was low. “Yes.”

Maxwell directed his gaze to her hands. “What are you holding and petting right now? Is it an invisible puppy?”

Who cares?

She looked down at her lap and stroked the air. “It’s. . .a unicorn.”

“O-kay. You’re petting a unicorn.” Maxwell nodded. “Unicorns are cool.”

“I’m really drugged up,” she whispered. “And… it’s been a long fucking day.”

That I can agree with.

She caressed the empty air again. “Petting Uni calms me.”

Maxwell leaned back in his seat. “You go right ahead and pet him… or her. It’s just when you come down, let me know what you took. I want no parts of that shit.”

“Me either.” Her eyes watered as she stared out the window.

I dialed Jean-Pierre three more times. Every time, Jean-Pierre’s phone went the answering machine.

This isn’t the time to have your damn phone off, idiot.

That pain ballooned in my chest. I wanted to put my hand on the space and rub it, but I knew it wouldn’t soothe the hurt, and Maxwell would witness the weakness.

Nothing would feel better until my mouse was back with me.

Second Act

Chapter 4

Emily

Where are we going now?

Police cars accompanied us.