I focused on my breaths.
Kaz turned to me with concern in his eyes.
I cleared my throat. “How’s Eden?”
That knocked Jean-Pierre off guard. “S-she’s fine.”
I swallowed. “Is she pregnant?”
All the earlier confidence left Jean-Pierre’s face. “What?”
I tried to choose my next words carefully, adding sweetness to my tone. “We’re friends, J.P. You can tell me.”
“J.P.?”
“That’s my nickname for you. It takes too long to say your name.”
“I don’t like the nickname.”
“Is she pregnant?”
He crossed his arms and considered my question for several silent seconds. Finally, he nodded.
Kaz turned my way. He didn’t ask, but I knew he wondered where I was going with this.
She’s pregnant. That has to mean something. How would Baba have known that?
Excited, I asked? “Do you know what you are going to have? Girl or boy?”
“We don’t know yet.” His frown deepened. “I apologize for your loss. Never had I—”
“Don’t worry. I ended up, being pregnant too.”
Kaz glared at me and then turned back to the French. He looked close to flipping the table over and killing Jean-Pierre. The last thing he would want was the French to know how much more helpful I could be to them.
Stunned, Jean-Pierre muttered, “So, you didn’t miscarry?”
“It’s a long story.”
The fact that he didn’t know showed me that the French didn’t monitor much of Kaz and our private conversations. If they had, they would’ve known.
My heart beat fast as I thought of the other things Baba had said.
“Two of Spades.”
“Is that good?” I’d asked.
“No. Low numbers speak of danger. Dark cards represent death. Especially with the point of this spade.” She picked up a stick that had some sort of odd jewel on the end and tapped the jewel against the card. “Lots of blood and danger. People will not want you to have your baby or even be with Kazimir. Some lurk around you. Many are in this house. Others are throughout Moscow. But I am certain that all of your enemies remain in this city.”
I stared at that spade. “How do I find out who these people are?”
“These next four cards will give you assistance.” One by one, she flipped them over all three. “The Joker, the King of Diamonds, the King of Hearts, and Ace of Hearts.”
“O-kay.”
Baba hit me with an intense stare. “These four will help you. Keep them safe.”
If I was crazy enough to believe Baba, then Jean-Pierre represented the King of Diamonds. It could be true. He damn sure wore enough sparkling gems. His girlfriend was now pregnant. We didn’t have time to find out, if the baby was a girl.
Additionally, Jean-Pierre had made many efforts to keep me safe. Granted, it was to keep the Corsican and him protected too, but it still served me.
“Okay. Max is the Joker. Boris is the Ace. I assume Kaz is the King of Hearts. He’s not letting any other king around me.”
“Yet, there is another king around you.” With the jeweled stick, she had tapped that card. “Who else is near? Does he wear diamonds?”
Kaz disrupted my thoughts, placed his hand on my lap, and leaned my way. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” I looked back at who I was sure was the King of Diamonds. “Jean-Pierre, when Eden has her baby, I would like to be the god mother.”
Jean-Pierre raised his brows in utter confusion.
A grin spread across Giorgio’s face as if he was tickled by the whole matter.
“We’re friends.” I placed my hands on the table. “It only makes sense.”
“I apologize, but. . .” Jean-Pierre frowned. “What are we talking about?”
“A real friendship. One not based on trickery and lies. We should also stop the kidnappings, J.P.”
He kept his arms crossed. “Have I explained that I don’t appreciate this nickname?”
I ignored him. “Tell me more about what you learned from the security men.”
Pavel aimed his gun at Jean-Pierre. “This is getting us nowhere.”
I scowled his way. “Put the gun down.”
Kaz nodded. “You heard her.”
Jean-Pierre never moved his attention from me. “What do you want to know about the security men?”
“What names did they give you, after you peeled off their faces and cut them deep to the bone?”
“I won’t give them to you.”
I gripped the edge of the table. “Why not?”
“Because when I do, what will guarantee my safety back home?”
“The fact that we’re friends. Why would I kill my god daughter’s father?”
“God daughter? I never agreed to that.”
“Just tell me who is involved, J.P.”
“Again. . .that nickname.” Jean-Pierre shook his head.
I could feel the rage radiating off of Kaz. If Jean-Pierre didn’t start saying names,