Dirty Passions An Interracial Russian Mafia Romance (The Lion and The Mouse #5) - Kenya Wright Page 0,54

straw mannequins had actually been humans being thrown into the river.

Now Czechs celebrated this custom with bonfires and dancing. Misha took those two parts from the Drowning of Death.

Massive bonfires roared and circled the outer castle. Blue smoke rose in heaps and the scent of burnt wood filled the air. A full jazz orchestra played on the castle’s steps for all of Uncle Igor’s followers. They partied in the front of the grounds.

Meanwhile the brotherhood and close family participated in the Carnival of Death within the castle’s courtyard.

Emily and I stepped onto the terrace and headed to the celebration. Lanterns of colored glass hung from the surrounding trees. A tall man in a dark floor-length coat played a fiddle. Several men with silver hair beat drums. The waitresses were either masked, tattooed, or wearing elaborate face paint.

Emily and I strolled further through the courtyard.

Five women in sleeveless black gowns played flutes.

“This is crazy.” Emily looked around in amazement. “They’re all playing the same song and at the right pace.”

“I’m impressed. I had no idea Misha could put together a great party. I’m sure Ava and her grandmother helped with this too.”

“I like them.”

I shrugged. “They’re growing on me.”

We continued to move through the Carnival of Death, sampling treats. I sipped champagne and Emily had juice.

“Hmmm.” I led Emily toward a massive set of hedges. “No. Misha did it.”

“What?”

“He begged his father to put a maze on the huge property.” I pointed forward. “While we were at the funeral, he had one erected.”

“Let’s check it out.”

We explored the lush maze of thick bushes.

Music and laughter threaded from beyond the hedges. The maze ended at a small pond glimmering under the moonlight where a DJ spun records under a tree near the pond. He wore a white rabbit mask over his head, complete with thick fur. Many people danced around the shimmering water. I spotted Misha swaying to the rhythm with Ava in his arms.

The crazy bastard is in love. It’s about time he stopped stalking and finally talked to her.

Emily grabbed my attention. “Let’s dance.”

And we did. We partied all night and I drank for the both of us. Misha and Ava came over to our side and danced with us. Misha attempted to show off, but he could not compete with my moves. Soon Maxwell dragged Valentina over. They twirled around us for a few songs and then disappeared into the maze.

The celebration didn’t end until the beginning of dawn.

Somehow I made it on the plane the next morning. Thank God Emily woke me up. I’d been pretty hung over with a sore throat from singing all night.

Valentina announced that she would be coming to Moscow. The only good part was that my niece Natalya would be near. Unfortunately, Valentina would be involved in everybody’s business and possibly shadow Emily every chance she got due to her being pregnant.

We slept the whole flight.

Once we landed, Valentina parked her plane right next to mine. The large group of us headed out in three limos.

In the limo, I took Emily’s hand.

Harlem slept soundly in her lap.

“Are you ready for this week?” I asked.

She quirked her brows. “What’s going on this week?”

“I’m closing windows and shutting doors.” I told her.

“So, you’re ready to hand out territories?”

“I am.”

“What about Misha?”

I considered the question. The day before the funeral, I had met Misha and Rolan in the castle’s bathhouse. While a few threats and blows had passed, I understood his situation and forgave him for his fuckups in the past weeks.

I squeezed her hand. “Misha won’t be my number one, but more like my own personal satellite, hovering in the sky and monitoring everything. He’s committed to me forever, but Ava has her career in Saint Petersburg. I need a number one in Moscow.”

She grinned. “After meeting Ava and talking to her yesterday, I didn’t think Misha would be leaving her in Saint Petersburg and moving to Moscow.”

“He loves his ballerina. Now that he has her, he won’t let her go. Misha can be extremely possessive.”

“Like cousin, like cousin.”

“Are you saying I’m possessive?”

“A smidgen.” She leaned her head against my chest. “Are you going to start holding meetings with your men this week?”

“Yes. It starts tomorrow morning.” I kissed her forehead. “And I want you there.”

“You do?”

“Yes. If I’ve learned one thing in these past weeks, it’s that you’re the best person at my side. You’re the most loyal person in my life and you’ll always protect me.”

“You want me to be your number one?”

“No.