Horrified, Jean-Pierre got to the limo, opened the door, and froze.
It’s hard to keep a mouse? Isn’t it?
I looked at David and held my hand out in the air.
Do we have the satellites on them?
David whispered, “Soon. Misha just put in the location.”
I glanced back at Jean-Pierre on the screen. He looked close to shitting himself. A second later, he ducked back into the limo. “I’m sorry.”
I growled back at him. “What are you sorry about?”
Run and hide, Emily. I’ll be there soon. Our men are coming for you. Just hide.
Jean-Pierre hurried out of the limo and scanned the area like a mad man.
I grinned, but feigned anger. “Put her on the phone.”
“Give me a minute.”
“A minute. I’ll fucking slice—”
“She ran off!” Jean-Pierre confessed.
I was pissed Blue couldn’t get the camera to focus closer on him.
What are you thinking? I have Eden. And if I get my mouse back, then, today will end on a very positive note.
I smiled. “She ran off?”
Jean-Pierre rushed around the limo and scanned the block. “Yes. She escaped. I swear on everything.”
A dark, chuckle left me. “Then the next few hours should be interesting.”
Game over, Jean-Pierre.
“There’s new footage coming across my screen.” Blue typed and blew it up.
“That’s Misha.” I sat down in anticipation. “Maybe I won’t kill his ballerina after all.”
“I like when family can work it out.” Maxwell put out his joint.
An aerial view of the neighborhood came up.
Here we go.
But, what I saw had me close to shitting my own pants.
Off in the distance, Emily ran for her life down the street. And behind my mouse, over twenty French guys charged for her. A few cars drove by, swerving and screeching their tires.
“Goddamn it!” I almost flipped the table over. “Where are our men?! Where are they?!”
I grabbed my gun, not knowing who to shoot.
Never had I felt so powerless. My love raced away, fighting for survival and all I could do was look. Even my helicopter was at the airport. Time. I needed time to get to her. Time to figure it all out.
“Fuck!” Maxwell couldn’t even look. He got up from the couch and paced. “Tell me when it’s over.”
Every few steps, Emily slowed the pace, turned around, and shot at a man. While she got a few, most of them ducked and headed forward.
Mysh!
I glared at Jean-Pierre’s lover, Eden. “If something happens to my mouse, I’m going to skin you alive. Use your flesh for a suit, and send it to Jean-Pierre in a nice box with a ribbon.”
Maxwell got between us. “Maybe, we should relax first. He’s not going to kill Em. He knows you have his woman. It’s going to be okay.”
Blue called out, “They’ve got her!”
I grabbed the space above my heart as the pain bloomed even more.
The French were gentle, when they picked my mouse up. Five of them had to keep her calm. She gave them no struggle or fight. She just simply let them carry her back to the limo.
When they brought her to Jean-Pierre, they set her down.
She whispered something.
He screamed and pulled his phone out.
My phone rang.
I looked at Maxwell. “Make sure we track that fucking limo. Put Misha on it.”
I answered the phone.
Jean-Pierre sounded out of breath. “Kazimir. . .I’ve got her.”
I took my gun and headed out of the house. “Are you sure?”
He panted. “Where’s the exchange?”
My voice went deadly. “Put her on the phone, Jean-Pierre.”
Emily’s voice came on next. “Kazimir?”
“Mouse, stop running away.” My eyes burned with tears, but I wouldn’t let them fall. “That was dangerous.”
“Yes. I know, but…”
“They could’ve killed you. What would I do without you? You’re my—”
“No. I’m fine. No one—”
Jean-Pierre interrupted her and jumped back on the line. “Finish the conversation in person. It’s always better that way. Don’t you agree?”
“I do.” I got in the jeep, ready to handle him in person. “Have you considered how you will give her back to me?”
“Let’s meet at the airport,” Jean-Pierre offered. “Once we exchange, you can get on your plane and go home.”
You’ve got more men around that airport than I do. No. We need to keep it fair.
“That does sound lovely,” I said. “but I don’t trust you. I would like to ask a favor and get the chance to decide the location. While this is your city, I’ve spent a lot of time here today. I have some places in mind.”
And I have my satellites on your fucking limo.
Maxwell hopped into the jeep with gun in hand.
“Where?” Jean-Pierre asked.
We’ve got your location now. How about I surprise you and show up.
Instead, I said, “I’ll call you with the location soon.”
“There’s no need to prolong this.”
“The stakes are high, Jean-Pierre, one can’t half-ass this.” I hung up and yelled at everyone, “Hurry! Let’s get him.”
David called out from the house. “What about the girl?”