Russians kept their guns pointed at me.
Kazimir shook his head. “You’re lucky I’m letting you stay alive.”
“Am I?” I inched closer, a little bit in front of him.
“Do you know why I haven’t shot you yet?” Kazimir looked up at me. “My mouse said you were nice.”
My body stiffened. “She was a good guest.”
He grinned with pride. “But you couldn’t hold onto her?”
I moved closer.
“Take another step, Jean-Pierre.” Kazimir glared. “Take it. If you do, then I’ll snap your flute player’s neck, and whistle a tune for you.”
“She plays the violin.”
“She’ll play my men’s cocks, if I want her to.” Kazimir returned to watching the screen. “Be grateful that she’s been a good guest. But for you…your very limited life will forever change. There are things that must be done to deal with this. Several people must die.”
His men lowered their guns.
Kazimir gestured to Rafael. “Maybe we can kill the funny one. I don’t like him anyway.”
“Let’s discuss who dies later. We both need a night with our women. What are we waiting for?”
“We’re waiting on my mouse. She said she escaped. The only question is…did you tell her to say that?”
“I didn’t.”
“How do I know she’s not trapped somewhere now? She says, she’ll be here soon.” He placed his hands in his lap. “You better hope she arrives with not one fucking scratch on her hand.”
“Can’t guarantee that. She’s not easy to hold on to.”
He looked at me. “My mouse gave you a hard time?”
Eden leaned forward.
Not yet, but soon.
She’d understood without my saying anything. Even after all this time, our bodies had returned back into sync.
Dear God, please let us get out of here alive. It wouldn’t be fair, if we didn’t.
I crossed my arms in front of my chest and got directly in front of Kazimir.
He frowned. “When they say the French are rude, I never understood until this trip.”
“Not your best visit to Paris, Kazimir? Maybe next time the weather will be better.” I looked at Eden. “How are you?”
Her bottom lip quivered. She slightly gestured with her head at the men. I shook my head, hoping she understood that now that I was here, no more harm would come her way.
She whispered, “I’m fine.”
“Are you ready to come home?”
Kazimir watched me talk to her, as if analyzing the situation.
“I am,” she whispered and stared back at the men.
I clenched my jaw. “And who did that to your face, reine?”
She swallowed. “The Devil.”
I kept my hands to my side, but I wanted to rip someone’s throat out. “Where’s the Devil now, Kazimir?”
“I’m holding him.”
“Why?”
“Bargaining chip.”
Bargaining for what? I don’t have time to think about it now. Get Eden out.
I looked at Eden. “Since you’ve been away, I’ve heard Strauss’s sonata in my ears. The first movement so romantic, yet the—”
“Enough with the conversation,” Kazimir said.
Shaking my head, I watched Eden. “The second movement seemed louder without you. Fast. Erratic. All over the place. Almost like feet to the ground. Running. Running really fast. Do you remember the notes?”
She raised her eyebrows.
Yes, my love. Run.
I gave a subtle nod, hoping she understood. She had to. I looked at Rafael and then back to her to show her the direction. “Notes running. Running fast—”
She was out of the chair and running, before I could say another word.
Two men charged for her.
Rafael shot them.
More shots rang out.
Some back from Louis side.
“Ah!” Eden screamed as she raced for Rafael.
I pulled out my gun.
Kazimir barreled into my side. I had no idea when he’d risen but knew he would. Like the beast he was named for, the Lion latched onto my neck with those big hands.
How long had he waited for that moment?
I struggled to get my gun free.
We fell to the floor.
More shots rang.
I swore, I heard my name.
Don’t worry, Eden. Get out of here.
I pulled the gun out and shot not sure if I got the Lion or not.
Kazimir fell away from me.
I jumped to my feet and ran.
Goddamn it. This might work!
Now wasn’t the time to stand and survey if the Lion was dead or not. In moments like this one acted in seconds.
Six Russians were down in front.
Four raced after Rafael and Eden. He had a tight grip on her hand and his gun out. I knew she’d be safe for now. They ran past my men.
Louis and Gwen were at the door. Louis had his gun out covering them, shooting. Every one of his shots hit. Not one missed.
Fucking warrior! Thank God for Louis.
Eden looked over her shoulder, but still kept moving forward. “Jean-Pierre!”
“I’ll be fine!” I jumped over a dead body. “Go without me!”
Still, she screamed, “Jean-Pierre, the Lion’s right behind you.”
Fuck!
I ducked to the left.
Kazimir leapt in front of me, barely missing. I slammed into his side, punched him.
Not today.
His jaw cracked one of my fingers. I slammed into him again. He grunted.