Kaz better not have called her anything. What am I talking about? She’s dead, and I’m kidnapped. It doesn’t matter.
“This name isn’t just him being infatuated.” Jean-Pierre wouldn’t let it go. “The streets call you mouse now. Neighborhoods. Cities. Everyone has been talking about the Lion and Mouse, even though they have no face, or details of what you look like. Whether you’re male or female.”
I looked at Jean-Pierre. “I can help you.”
“Can you now?”
“I’m good at solving problems.”
Rafael shook his head. “And yet, the Lion is still a psychotic maniac. Maybe you can fix that problem first.”
I see what Kazimir means. He’s definitely not funny.
I glared at him. “I’ve found from my short time in the European crime world, that being a psychotic maniac goes with the job title.”
Jean-Pierre touched his chest. “Are you calling me crazy too?”
Gangsters and their egos.
“No. I understand your actions.” I nodded. “I get why you took me. Not smart, but effective. You’ll get Eden back faster than you would have, if you hadn’t.”
“Why?” Louis asked.
I looked at all of them. “Because Kazimir had no idea any of this had been going on. Someone did something, and they were hiding it from him.”
“Who?” Jean-Pierre asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe, Misha.”
“Misha is definitely involved in this. And Celina.”
“I don’t know who that is.”
“But you know Misha?”
“Yes.”
Jean-Pierre considered what I’d said for a few seconds and then nodded. “I’ll take your help.”
Shock hit me. “You will?”
“Yes. How will you help?”
Shit. I don’t know. I’ll do anything to get back to Kazimir.
“Keep me by your side. Let me see what you see.” I extended my hands. “Anything I can add. Any information I can find, I’ll do it. We’ll get Eden back. Safe. That’s the most important part.”
“You’re smarter than Kazimir,” Jean-Pierre said. “You provide a softness that he definitely doesn’t possess.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
And then the limo turned into a neighborhood.
Several vans pulled up around us as we parked. Even more police cars came.
“It’s quiet and empty around here.” Louis scanned the space. “Where are our men?”
Rafael took out his gun. “Here we fucking go, again. The streets are clean, like the Bratva have been here.”
Has Kazimir been here?
Louis opened the limo door, held his hand up, and climbed out. “Everyone stay here. I’ll go in with my people.”
“No.” Rafael jumped out of the limo. “I’m going in with you. I don’t like the smell of this. I want to make sure Shalimar is okay.”
Yes. All of you leave me in the limo. That’s a great idea.
Louis ducked down and gazed into the limo. Jean-Pierre and him exchanged looks.
Come on. Let Rafael go in there and check on. . .Shalimar, or whoever.
Jean-Pierre left the limo.
I scooted to the doorway, hoping to overhear conversation.
Jean-Pierre shook his head at Rafael. “Stay here.”
“Fuck you. I’m a big boy.” Rafael marched forward. “I’m going.”
Good for you, Rafael. Go!
“Have your men watch Emily,” Jean-Pierre said to Louis. “Put the chef in the passenger seat with the driver. She’s already freaked out.”
I glanced at Gwen. She still sat in the car. They definitely didn’t think we could hear them, but she’d heard as much as me.
Louis spoke, “I told Gwen a story, explaining something about Emily being a criminal, and us helping the authorities with the terrorist.”
Gwen’s face remained calm. Not one tremble or shiver in her hands.
What’s her story? It’s the quiet ones that you always have to watch out for.
“So, Gwen thinks we’re on some official investigation for the government?” Jean-Pierre asked.
“Or, she’s too scared to call bullshit, and she’s just nodding and smiling until we take her home.”
Gwen rolled her eyes.
I grinned.
They’re idiots. I know girl.
“Make sure you smooth things over with Gwen. Money. Whatever. Give her a nice story. We don’t want to freak her out. She’s the best thing that happened to Shalimar’s.”
Gwen raised her eyebrows at that comment.
Jean-Pierre rushed off.
Louis ducked his head into the limo and gestured for Gwen to come. She did and gave me a sad look. I shook my head to let her know I would be fine.
“What was that?” Louis glared at me.
I opened my mouth. “What?”
He pointed at me. “I don’t want any trouble from you.”
I kept my mouth closed .
Three of men climbed into the limo. Little guys in suits. They must’ve sent their best men with Jean-Pierre and his cousins. Apparently, something had scared them.
All three guys sat down across from me.
One assessed me and took out his phone. That device captured his attention. I spotted a gun in a shoulder holster. Another held humor in his eyes and then gazed past me. I checked his body and found his gun on an ankle holster. I couldn’t figure out where the third one had his gun. No bumpy appearance in the usual places.
Maybe, it’s on the outside of the waist. In the back.