Sonata (Butcher and Violinist 2)

Kazimir’s expression cracked. There was no fierce lion. For the first time, he looked like a small man. Tiny and weak. Tired and full of dread.

A little guilt hit me, but not for long.

I would do anything for Eden’s return. I didn’t know who this woman was, but Kazimir cared about her. I would take her—this was his weak spot and I would use it to get my love back to me.

“I can get him.” Kazimir turned his attention to the door. Her absence affected him. I could see it in his eyes. His next words came out careful. No longer cocky or full of confidence. “You don’t have to take her. Anything you need—”

“I told you what I need.” I walked off.

He called back. “If you touch her, if you harm her in any way—!”

I shut the door before he could respond.

I had no plans to harm his love. Yesterday, I’d been hoping to do the same thing that he’d been doing, making love in bed this morning. Instead, his Russians came to my door at the order of his cousin Misha. Whether Kazimir or Misha knew I was involved didn’t matter.

All I wanted, was Eden safe, and back with me. And if it meant war, then let those motherfuckers come. And if it meant my death then bury me where Eden could visit and mourn.

Nothing mattered but her safe return.

Out in the hallway, Rafael handed Kazimir’s lover over to me. “Here you go, Mastermind. Your captive is all yours.”

I held her arm and guided her out the suite. “What else could we do?”

Rafael wring his fists in the air. “There were a lot of things we could have done in these past minutes. Not one of them we did.”

“Eh!” Louis spoke in my ear, “Jean-Pierre, get out of there! Kazimir just threw two guys off the balcony. He’s close to getting out of there.”

Damn it. Six men couldn’t hold him long enough for us to leave.

“Let’s go!” I increased the pace. We had the numbers, and the men, but if Kazimir came for us, we might have to kill him by accident. For now, Kazimir had to remain alive. He was the only one that could get Eden back, with one phone call. One command. He had the power to get this fixed, faster than anyone else.

“Come on!” I picked up the pace to a soft jog. Kazimir’s lover remained with me. She made no noise or struggle, but the whole time she watched us with a deadly gaze. It was almost as if she was assessing us. Deciding what were our weak and strong points. What she could use against us and what would get her killed.

Or maybe my head rang in paranoia.

“Good. Stay with me.” I pulled her along. “Everyone head out. Don’t kill the Lion.”

From those words, she turned her attention to me. The expression of rage lessoned. She even sped up the pace, as if she’d work with me, as long as I’d keep him safe.

She cares for him, as much as he does her. This is deeper than we thought. Maybe she killed the ballerina.

“You’re not moving fast enough.” Louis spoke in my ear, “Kazimir slung another guy over the balcony. He’s took another’s gun and shot two in the heads. Now he’s. . .okay. That guy’s dead.”

We left the suite and hit the hallway.

Men were already at the elevator, holding it open.

“My guys are running up the stairs, if you need them,” Louis said.

My heart boomed in my ears.

“I don’t need them anymore. Tell them to run the other way.” I rushed us to the elevator. Rafael and two others followed with their guns out, ready to shoot from behind. “Once we get on the elevator, Kazimir will have no choice but to take the stairs.”

We just have to get to the damn elevator.

Right before we made it to the elevator, the Lion’s lover tripped and fell to the ground. I didn’t know, if it was an accident or intentional. She rubbed her ankle, as if she’d actually hurt it.

“Get up.” I yanked her to me.

She rose a little, and headbutt my forehead. Goddamn it! Pain bit at my skull, but I’d been hit by harder things than her head before. She punched my stomach and tried to slip away.

I wrenched her to her feet. “You’ll have to do more than that to keep me down, sweetie.”

She slammed her knee into my crotch.

Fuck!

I doubled over and grabbed her. She used my weight, pulling me forward and banging my head into the wall. I twisted. She turned. I almost lost her. She bit me, when I grabbed her.

Rafael and the rest stood watching.

Right before I came close to flipping her over, she landed a punch to my jaw.

In my ear, Louis yelled. “Uh. Jean-Pierre. Kazimir is looking for something under his bed.”