Dirty Passions An Interracial Russian Mafia Romance (The Lion and The Mouse #5) - Kenya Wright Page 0,156

of vodka. The icy liquid burned my tongue, but soothed my soul.

This is what I needed.

And then something magical happened.

Right before me, a dolphin leapt high into the air. I stood in awe, holding my breath. Her slick skin shined in the sunlight. Her body arced and tail flipped as she went back into the water with a splash. I had never seen anything like that before.

Come back. Jump up again.

My heart hammered in my chest. Excitement glittered in my eyes. Sometimes the biggest enjoyment rose from the smallest moments—a dolphin soaring above the water.

Where are you? Do it again.

The dolphin didn’t appear. I waited with my gaze fixed all over the rippling surface, hoping I could catch another sight. Too bad there was no one I could pay to make the dolphin return—no one to threaten to bring her back.

Sometimes treasures came and went, and it didn’t matter if one had money or power.

The best things in life, really are free.

Still, I remained at that railing, eager for one more jump from the dolphin. I didn’t know how long I stayed, but it was a few hours and all the vodka was gone.

Eventually, the sun set.

When’s the last time, I just watched something so beautiful? Tomorrow, I will bring Emily out here.

I drank in the amazing show of nature. It was lovely to behold. Amazing to witness. Magnificent swatches of lavender, turquoise, and burnt orange blended together within the sky.

Slowly, the blazing sun dipped down below the horizon.

I shifted my attention to the rippling water, loving the sky’s reflection. Crystal clear, the vast Adriatic Sea, shimmered with an intoxicating blue, providing a welcoming sense of security. Warming my heart. Comforting my soul. Magical waves of glass blue crept towards the yacht before running back away, only to repeat the process again. The sun shone off the rippling water, right before disappearing. And then the sky shifted and the water too. And I breathed all the magic in.

Yes. I needed this vacation.

The sky darkened above. The expanse of blue water stretched in every direction to the horizon. And our yacht moved along, continuing the smooth ride.

I inhaled and then exhaled.

Water was an enchanting example of the universe’s power. One drop seemed insignificant. But when millions of drops united and moved together in one body that was when the power showed.

Water is magic? Is it true or am I just drunk and happy?

Feminine laughter sounded from behind me.

Mysh?

I glanced over my shoulder.

It wasn’t my mouse or sister. Surprisingly, Blue had two women in her arms. One on each side. They all wore bikinis as they strolled by. When Blue whispered in one of their ears, the woman giggled.

Blue likes women? I had no idea.

In swim trunks, David walked up next and stepped to my side.

I smirked. “Are those your women that Blue is with?”

“One of them. The other was from Maxwell.”

“How did she steal them?”

“When I asked, she said, ‘Tongue Power.’”

“She likes women.”

“Apparently, she likes both women and men.” David ran his wet slicked hair back. “Either way, I’ve had no time for women. My men contacted me. There’s been sightings of Pavel in Calabria. They stayed behind, but they were sure it was him. The long hair is hard to not notice.”

“Lucky for us.”

“Yes. Do we change course? Will we head to Calabria first?”

“No. We stick to the plan. We’ll connect with the Sicilians.”

“Them, I know well.”

“Is that what kept you up? What other news do you have?”

“This morning Italian police seized over 115 kilograms of pure cocaine in the southern port of Gioia Tauro in Calabria.”

I crossed my arms in front of my chest. “The port in Calabria has been busy.”

“This is the third seizure of the month. It’s been a major operation against the ‘Ndrangheta crime syndicate. Supposedly ran by Italy's finance military police and customs agency.”

Laughing, I shook my head. “The police and customs agency in Italy would never go against the ‘Ndrangheta, unless it was another mafia group paying them. In Italy, everyone is corrupt. 115 kilograms of cocaine? That’s 23 million euros on the market.”

“You think the Sicilians put them up to it?”

“Yes. And the third bust of the month. Almost two tons have been seized. This is a war between the Sicilian and ‘Ndrangheta.” Tension thickened my shoulders. “How was Black Axe trafficking the cocaine?”

“They hid it aboard a cargo ship carrying paper reels from Nigeria.”

“If this keeps up, then the ‘Ndrangheta will start seeking new harbors with a relevant traffic volume.”

David nodded. “Like