“It’s not that simple.”
“It is with Em.”
“You may be used to her getting kidnapped. I’m not.”
“Then, you better get used to it.” He blew out smoke. “I thought this shit would end once Daryll died, but it looks like you’re going to get her in trouble now.”
“This wasn’t my fault.”
Maxwell leaned back on the couch and blew out smoke. “It’s never anybody’s fault.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“I’m high, man.” He rubbed his eyes. “And tired.”
“Why isn’t he answering?”
“You should wait until she’s out the shower anyway.”
“I’m not waiting.” I paced and dialed Jean-Pierre.
Finally, the phone rang. I rushed to the window, as if that would help. I was losing my mind. But when Jean-Pierre answered, it got me nowhere. After barely five minutes of conversation, he hung up on me.
“That fucking moron!” I stared at the phone. “I told him I had her. What the hell is wrong with him?”
“I wouldn’t have believed you either.” Maxwell rose from the couch, blew out smoke, and walked over to the window. “We’ll call him, when she gets out of the shower. Everything will be fine.”
I paced in David’s living room some more. A path of my footsteps decorated the thick carpet.
Still smoking, Maxwell stood by the window, staring out. “Is that what you do, when you’re nervous?”
“What?”
“Constantly move like a shark?”
“Never mind that. Why did Misha go back to St. Petersburg?”
“Ava got into a situation.”
“So, Misha left for the ballerina?”
“It’s more complicated than that.”
“When I see Misha, he has a lot to explain.”
Maxwell grimaced. “In all fairness, he’s been having a rough time.”
I stopped near Maxwell and glared. “He’s been having a rough time? Emily has been kidnapped!”
“I know. I know.” Maxwell went back to the window. “I’m just saying that Misha is misunderstood. If you knew the whole story—”
“If something happens to Emily, then I’ll kill Ava.”
Maxwell raised his hands in the air. “Hey, I’m not in this.”
I returned to pacing.
David walked into the living room.
I paused, and was pissed that the flute player wasn’t with him. “Is she done showering yet?”
“No.”
Maxwell attempted a joke. “Maybe, she’s cleaning up the unicorn.”
I scowled at him.
Maxwell went back to the window. “Give her a few more minutes. With the way she smelled, we should let her take her time.”
I agreed, but Jean-Pierre needed confirmation that I had her. And I yearned to hear Emily’s voice.
David ran his fingers through his hair. “My grandmother’s setting up everything in the back.”
I didn’t know what that meant, and I didn’t care. At this point, if she needed my blood for a spell, I would give it to her, and anyone else’s .
“Uh.” Blue’s voice squeaked from the couch as she typed into her laptop. “A limo drove up to the house with three black vans and police.”
Finally. Something.
“That has to be Jean-Pierre. He’s the only one that will have police escorts during this mayhem.” I gestured to David. “Have our closest people head that way.”
I rushed over to Blue. “Damn it. Why did we leave?”
“It wasn’t a sure shot.” Maxwell also hurried over to Blue and got on her right.
I made it to Blue’s left and sat down. “That’s the idiot right there, talking to his cousins.”
Jean-Pierre and two other cousins got out of the limo. They appeared to be arguing about something. A black woman stepped out next. She wore an afro and a dress. I let out a long breath. “Where’s Emily? Where the hell is she!?”
“Calm down.” Maxwell leaned closer. “Maybe she’s inside of the limo. If I was them, I would keep her in there.”
One of Jean-Pierre’s cousins called over three men in suits, and then pointed at the limo. The three guys walked over, listened to more orders, headed to the limo, and got inside.
“You’re right.” My hands trembled. ‘They just put three men in the back. She’s there.”
David got off the phone. “Two vans are on their way.”
I jumped up. “How far?”
“They said ten minutes, but the cops have been blocking the roads, and there’s now a helicopter hovering over the area.”
“I should go.” I got ready to leave.
Maxwell waved his hands. “This French guy has cops and helicopters. They won’t let us get close to her.”
Rage and fear flooded my mind. Usually, I listened to no one. Today, I was off my game. Terrified. All I could do was trust in Maxwell.
“Emily has been kidnapped before,” Maxwell said. “This will work out. Only worry, when I start losing my mind.”
Blue and I turned back to the screen showing the limo with the three men and hopefully Emily too.
Maxwell continued, “Either way, it always works out. Even when the guy is a psycho. Em figures out a way to stay safe.”
My chest rose and fell, filling with tension. I could barely breath.
Blue pointed to the screen. “Should I go to the cameras inside the house?”