future.”
“This is great. Kazimir needs that.” Valentina nodded. “And I’m glad that it is another good woman around him. Too many penises cause corruption and war.”
We waited a few more minutes.
What is Kaz doing?
After a while, Harlem fell asleep on my lap.
Max stared at the puppy. “That furball has traveled more than me at his age.”
“Dog years are different.”
“He’s a spoiled little creature.”
“Leave him alone.” I directed my view to my fur baby. Max did have a point. The airplane probably felt like home to Harlem. Although just a puppy, he had flown often. Already, Harlem had curled in a ball on my lap and slept as if dozing in the penthouse. The engine roared under my feet as the plane moved toward the runway. Harlem’s sleep remained undisturbed as he rested in his sky-born cradle.
Kaz entered.
We all stopped our chatter and turned his way.
Although Kaz offered everyone a sad smile, he looked even more exhausted. I hated to see him so out of it.
Regardless of what we have to do, I’m going to make sure he relaxes. Enough is enough.
Unbuttoning his suit jacket, Kaz sat down and leaned back in his seat. And then, he gave me an intense stare, one filled with heat. “I’m sorry. I kept you all waiting.”
I smiled, knowing those words were mainly for me. “That’s fine. Is everything okay?”
“It is.” He rubbed his eyes. “I just had to get this trip approved by Baba. She was a wealth of information. Everyone on this plane is supposed to be here. It appears you are my most loyal.”
“I’m glad you talked to Baba.” David grinned. “That’s the only way I do things.”
“That’s how I will be doing big moves from now on.” Kaz placed his hands on the table. “However, let’s get to the topic of this meeting. For those that don’t know, we are going to Italy.”
Max exchanged glances with Boris. Shocked, Blue sat up in her seat. And poor King David who had been on a non-stop ride since Paris, blinked several times as if unable to comprehend that more adventure was too come.
Yeah. Being next to Kaz is not boring at all.
I checked the window. The plane had positioned itself to prepare to take off. I turned back to the meeting.
Kaz looked at David. “Is the brothel still running?”
“No. I did as you requested with not too many bruises.” David showed his arm. “The disgusting place is closed for business. Frankly, it’s not even a building anymore. More broken brick. Shattered glass. And by morning, it will be just ash..”
Kaz appeared pleased. “And the clientele?”
“All that were there today are no longer alive. It was about thirty men. We cut off their heads, took their wallets, found the home addresses, and placed their heads on doorsteps.” David cleared his throat. “I went a little further. After I killed the brothel’s accountant who lived on the property, I grabbed the business’s books. They had the addresses of other clients.”
The plane took off, rising high and leaving the ground.
They’re dead.
I stared out the window, wishing I could see Kapotnya from here, especially the destroyed brothel.
Maybe, Kaz will let me kill some of the clientele. It sure would be fun.
Moscow appeared small below us like a train city track, but I couldn’t spot Kapotnya.
When we get back, I’ll go to the ruined brothel and dance on all those pedophiles’ graves.
Excited, I returned to Kaz.
“We’ll handle the rest of the brothel’s clientele, when we return.” Kaz scanned all of our faces. “It’s been a long road of bombings and shootings. Traitors and kidnappings. From New York to Prague. Moscow to Paris and back. Somehow we united into this weird band of friends who don’t mind a little death in our day.”
An odd sensation hit me. I had forgotten how much had occurred since meeting my lion.
Kaz continued, “At this moment, I believe that all of you are loyal. Baba confirmed it. But she added that all of you are here to protect each other as well as my interests. Is that true?”
Everyone all nodded.
He deepened his smile. “Then, a vacation is in order.”
Blue widened her eyes.
“We’re going on a trip. In four hours, we will arrive in Venice.”
I swallowed.
“From there we’ll get on a yacht and wander down Italy’s east coast. It will be a beautiful affair. The yacht is a castle on the sea with a staff that is there to spoil us. Elegant food. Expensive wine. And lots of sun and water for you to