words entered my head.
“Before your baby left, you were with a man that had diamonds. She must’ve been captivated by him because that is who she is with now.”
I cleared my throat and stepped inside. “You wanted to talk to me?”
Jean-Pierre buttoned his suit jacket and brushed down the sides. “We had a deal.”
“We did. Then, you snuck inside my house. You also killed and tortured men. And we can’t forget your attempted kidnaping Kazimir.”
“I didn’t kidnap him.” Jean-Pierre held up one finger. “I asked him to come along—”
“With several guns pointed his way.”
“Still.” Jean-Pierre lowered his hand. “We had a deal. Is it still on the table?”
“Do you have the Devil?”
“I haven’t talked to my men, but I’m sure they do. That no longer matters. The Devil is mine now.”
Your men? You wouldn’t have left the Devil with just a couple of Lackeys. There’s another cousin in Moscow.
I squinted my eyes at Jean-Pierre, hoping to understand him better with a more focused look. “Who has the Devil now?”
“Does it matter?”
“It does.”
“Louis took him.”
I leaned my head to the side. “Is Rafael in Paris also?”
“No.” Jean-Pierre picked lint of his sleeve. “He’s not.”
“Where is he?”
“New Orleans.” Jean-Pierre looked my way and smiled. “You see how open and honest I am with you right now?”
“Of course you are. We’re friends.”
“We are.”
Although both smiling, we both glared at each other.
No one else moved.
Kaz remained sitting at the table.
Pavel and Boris stayed to the side with their guns out, but not pointed at anyone. Giorgio continued to stand by the bed, but it was clear that he would jump off and attack me first. I hadn’t met this cousin, but I’d read enough about him from Blue’s file. Out of all of the cousins, Giorgio was a neat freak that enjoyed tidying up before and after his kills.
Kaz watched Jean-Pierre and I the whole time.
I wondered what was on his mind.
Jean-Pierre gestured to the table. “Perhaps, we should all sit down and talk.”
I walked over to the table and sat next to Kaz. Giorgio came over too. Jean-Pierre and him positioned themselves on the other side.
Okay. Let’s see, if we can all talk without trying to kill each other.
Kaz studied him. “Why did you want my mouse here?”
Jean-Pierre put his view on Kaz. “Because with her present, there’s a good chance I won’t die after I tell you everything you want to know.”
“A good chance.” Kaz leaned in his chair. “Not a guaranteed one, but a good chance.”
Jean-Pierre’s face shifted to cold violence. “A good chance is better than a bad one.”
Kaz placed his hands on the table and leaned forward. “Do you know many jokes, Butcher?”
“I can’t think of any jokes right now.”
Kaz gave him a wicked smile. “What does pussy and the Russian mafia have in common?”
“Is this a trick question?”
“It is not.”
“Then, I don’t know what pussy and the Russian mafia have in common.”
“One slip of the tongue and you're in deep shit.”
Giorgio grinned.
“I’ll take that as a warning.” Jean-Pierre turned my way. “And do you know any jokes, mouse?”
“I’m not in that type of mood right now. But I do have questions.” I crossed my legs and leaned back in my chair. “Who put the dead gorilla in my bedroom?”
“The ones who directly did the deed are dead. I left their dead bodies in your house. The butler let them in through the back door. However, it appeared they were threatening to kill his granddaughter. I also killed two maids. They helped with the lifting. Both had been more than happy to assist. Neither liked you. I believe at least one of them had a crush on your lion.”
I gritted my teeth. “And the men you tortured? Especially the one whose face you peeled off?”
“He helped with lifting too. He also blocked any feed going to Misha’s men. Louis discovered that there were two feeds produced in your house. One for security in Moscow, and another that was sent to him.”
Tension thickened my shoulders. “Who told them to do it?”
“I already have the Devil.”
I sighed. “You do.”
“Then, I’ll need something new for our deal.”
Kaz roared, “You’re in no position to ask for anything!”
Jean-Pierre kept his view on me. That damn diamond clip grabbed my attention. I stared at the shape and realized it was a large crown.
“Let’s look at her future.” Baba flipped the other card over. “Of course. The Queen of Diamonds.”
“My lost daughter will be the Queen of Diamonds one day?”
“She will.”
The rest of my questions disappeared.