Rafael nodded with his gun still pointed. “I vote for the cannon. They’re always fun.”
We all stared at each other. Everyone had their guns pointed, but me. My additional men came down and assumed the same position as everyone else, unsure of what was going on.
Still, Mr. Tall Guy didn’t move.
I sighed. “I understand the predicament you’re in. Kazimir will probably kill you, if you just let me in. So I’m going to do you a favor. We’ll give you a story.”
The guard scowled. “And what’s that?”
I turned to Louis. “Help him.”
Louis shot him in the leg. The rest of the guys rushed, but it wasn’t necessary, leaping into action around me. Shuffling. The foreboding click and spin of thumbs on weapons. Bullets sliding into chambers. None of it mattered. I had too many guns. Their biggest guy slumped against the wall, not screaming, but pain covered his face.
And Kazimir’s door had opened anyway. A large man towered at the center of the doorway. “Come in. Kazimir will see you.”
“Thanks.” I got ready to walk, but Giorgio stopped me. “What?”
Giorgio grimaced. “We should talk to him in the hall.”
“Why?”
“It’s hot in there.” Giorgio gestured to his suit. “I don’t want to sweat all over the Brioni.”
I grumbled and walked into the room. Steam rose around us. Already I was uncomfortable. I undid my jacket and took it off. Giorgio grabbed it. Rafael rolled his eyes. Louis crossed his arms over his chest, hiding partly in the steam
The door closed behind us.
With the instant blast of heat and steam, it took a minute for my eyes to adjust.
Where are you?
When my vision returned, I scanned the place. Four men stood by the walls. They wore towels and held no guns, but they looked top notch. The type that didn’t need guns to kill anyway. It would make sense for Kazimir to have the best men as close to him as possible. Regardless of how many guns we had outside of this room, if we tried to kill Kazimir now, we would never make it out alive.
I looked beyond the men and to the back of the room.
There you go.
The Lion sat there with a towel over the back of his head. The sides outlined his face. Parts of it was covered, but I could see the scowl and death in his eyes.
I always forget how big this motherfucker is, until I’m right in front of him.
I walked closer and the monster became bigger. At least 6’4. Shoulders a mile wide. And a sleek jaw that looked like it had taken a lot of punches.
Maybe I’ll get to crack it open one day.
Paris women bragged about Kazimir’s looks. They romanticized the beast. He had the whole structured face thing. The kind that actors and models pulled off. Dark hair. Blue eyes. All things I would tear, break, and destroy, if he was a threat to Eden.
No one said anything in the space. Kazimir still hadn’t looked up.
Right as I was about to speak, Rafael began to undress. It was such an odd transition. I was completely put off guard.
What are you doing?
First, Rafael started with his jacket and slung it on the ground. Giorgio picked it up in annoyance. Then, Rafael unbuttoned his shirt.
I kept my voice low. “Excuse me?”
“It’s hot in here.” Rafael handed his shirt to Giorgio and then went to his pants.
“Keep them on.”
“Fuck that.” The pants dropped to the floor, and then his boxer briefs. Naked, Rafael stepped out of them, walked over to a wooden bench across from Kazimir, and sat down.
Why the hell did Giorgio call Rafael? This is what I mean.
I returned my attention to Kazimir. The towel was still on his head, but he’d raised his view. I didn’t know when, but he’d begun watching the whole scene with a deadly silence. Meanwhile, we looked like a bunch of clowns.
I went over to the bench where Rafael sat, but didn’t get too close to the naked fool or sit down. I rather enjoyed standing over the Lion for a few minutes.
Kazimir spoke first. It showed how annoyed he must’ve been. His English came off thicker, as if he was actually speaking a garbled Russian dialect that somehow made sense. “Is he going to be naked the whole time?”
Rafael spoke for himself. “Of course. I figured that you don’t get to see a big dick much. So here it is. Take your time and breathe it all in.”
I sat down.
Thank you, Rafael. You’re doing a good job with making us look fierce.
Giorgio sat down on my side but passed a towel by me and gave it to Rafael.
Rafael shook his head. “No, I’m good.”
Giorgio frowned and held on to it.
Focus, guys!
“The Corsican.” Kazimir pointed at us as he talked to his men. “My father used to call them Perfumed Pansies. I didn’t believe it until now.” Kazimir raised his head more and did a show of inhaling. “Yes. Jean-Pierre certainly smells sweet and inviting today. Like a bouquet of flowers. Is that rose or lavender?”