Dirty Obsessions - The Lion and The Mouse

Say what?

I shook my head no.

“It was Japanese inspired. Geometric lines, oriental patterns, and floral silhouettes.” He backed up, giving us two feet of space. “But what made the collection really stunning was the innovative use of black python.”

“I. . .didn’t see that.”

“It’s a shame that he killed himself in 2010. He would have loved it.”

“Perhaps he was there to see it.”

Hiro leaned his head to the side. “Are you a believer in angels?”

“I believe that there is a higher power and things happening beyond our human knowledge and that most of the time. . .anything is possible.”

“That is truer than you can ever imagine.” He placed the towel around his neck. “Why are you here, Ms. Jones?”

“Misha needs your help. Leonid Turgenev kidnapped his daughter and the mother of his child. Her name is Valentina—”

“I am aware of who she is and that the little girl is his child. Leonid gave us the information and requested that we use those two as a way to make Misha vulnerable. We don’t use those types of methods.”

“Leonid did it anyway.”

“Because he knows we have not fulfilled our contract.”

I nodded, not wanting to say too much. I didn’t have all the intricate details of what happened between Misha and them.

“But why are you really here, Ms. Jones?”

“Because Misha wants—”

“Misha didn’t send you.” He scanned all my men. “Do you know how I know?”

I swallowed.

“Because he values you too much. A smart man would keep a woman so valuable far away from killers like us. And from what I’ve learned, Misha is a very smart man.”

“That being said. . .Misha still needs your help.”

Hiro smiled at me. “You should go back to wherever he hid you. This isn’t a conversation for someone of your quality.”

“Please help—”

“There’s a McQueen store in Tokyo. 4,200-square-foot of space right in the Aoyama neighborhood. The two stories include Alexander McQueen’s men’s and women’s collections.”

“That’s fine, but—”

“The floor is this cracked white marble. The furnishings are all pale gray leather. There’s a white marble staircase that takes you to the top level. And walking into the store is like entering a dream.” He grinned. “But the walls are the most interesting sight to behold.”

I gave up. “Why?”

“They feature wings, glittering shells, crystal sea horses, gold skulls, and silver gargoyles.”

“That sounds great. However—”

“And the chandelier.” Hiro crossed his arms over his chest. “The piece was inspired by a Japanese ink paint called the Hyonenzu. Have you ever seen that painting?”

“No.”

“If you looked at the chandelier you would see the painting. It’s all gourd vessels, catfish, skulls, and shell fragments.”

“Hiro.” I frowned.

His wicked grin deepened. “Yes, Ms. Jones?”

“I brought you lollipops. They’re in these boxes.”

The devilish expression left. His face turned serious as he changed his focus to the sweets.

I yanked up all the courage I could. “I brought them with the hopes that we could work together. I’m coming as a friend asking for help.”

“What type of lollipops are these?”

“Will you help Misha?”

“Misha didn’t come, Ms. Jones. You did. That means an entirely different situation.” He shifted his view back to me. “If you choose to embark on that journey, I will not stop you, although I’ve tried.”

“What journey?”

“You came to me for help. Therefore, you are the one that will owe me. Not Misha.”

I tensed. “How much would it cost to save them?”

“We don’t get paid with money. Our contracts are sealed through action.”

“What would you want me to do?”

He gazed at the boxes. “What I want from you would be more than lollipops.”

Yefim stepped forward. “She’s not sleeping with anyone.”

Hiro didn’t look at him. “Your guard has a dirty mind.”

I shook my head. “You still haven’t answered my question. What would you want me to do?”

“If we continue this conversation, there is no turning back.”

“This is about a baby. Misha’s daughter. I don’t want anything to happen to her.”

“Give me the lollipops.” Hiro smiled. “Please.”

Frowning, I handed both boxes to him.

Other Xecutioners stopped what they were doing and gathered around. I glanced at Yefim. He didn’t look pleased with all of them so close.

The blond guy appeared out of nowhere and came to my side. He held a magazine in his hand.

Hiro scowled and spoke in what I assumed was Japanese. The blond waved him away and showed me the magazine along with a pen. It was the Paris Vogue cover. In it, I wore my costume from La Bayadère.

“Oh.” I gazed at it. “I didn’t even realize the magazine was out.”

The blonde spoke with a deep voice. “Please sign.”

I took the pen and did my best to write my name in a pretty way on the cover. “There you go.”

The blond bowed. “Thank you.”

I returned my attention to Hiro. He’d already handed the blue-haired guy one of the boxes. Hiro opened the first box and whistled.

“Very nice, Ms. Jones.” He lifted the rose gold lollipops. “Beautiful.”