Dirty Passions An Interracial Russian Mafia Romance (The Lion and The Mouse #5) - Kenya Wright Page 0,68

and say their goodbyes.”

I swallowed.

Life was crazy. Yesterday, our moments had been sweet, playing out in technicolor. I had spent the best time with Kaz. My baby grew healthy within me. And he had showed me a memorial of our lost child.

Unicorn glitter had damn near flowed through my veins.

The next day, a dead pregnant gorilla lay in our bed, full of bloody mice. Our loving reality shattered into shards of glass and erratic puzzle pieces that I didn’t think I could sort.

There were tons of things that I could fix in the brotherhood, but not racism. What could one do to erase the blackness of hate? No matter what I did for these particular men in the brotherhood, they would loathe me. And it was just due to the color of my skin. Nothing else. Nothing I could change. I would always be a monkey to them. Not human. Probably less than an animal.

And I thought black women had problems in America. Why the hell would I think things would be different in Russia?

Black women were like the abandoned houses of the world. Stripped by many and trashed for no reason. Forgotten and misused. And regardless of the empty bottles thrown at our floors and spray paint decorating our walls, we continued to be the foundation for humanity. We stood strong, without flinching. Raising up nations and loving all those who embraced us. Even to our own destruction.

Of all things. Why this? Why now?

I followed Kaz back into the house. Several of his men met us at the door. Without an order, they followed us to the servant’s area. Max and Boris stood at the bottom of the stairs, when they spotted us they rushed our way.

I thought back to Kaz’s words.

“Many will die this afternoon. Anyone who has nothing to say will be the first that I kill.”

Kaz slowed his pace to mine and grabbed my hand. “How are you?”

“I’m fine.”

“And the baby?”

“I don’t feel any pain.”

“Good.” Kaz squeezed my hand. “If I go too far, let me know.”

Had he forgotten who he fell in love with?

I didn’t have a problem with blood at all.

We made it to the servant’s quarters behind the kitchen area.

On my first week in Moscow, Kaz had introduced everyone to me. He had a staff of forty people on call for twenty-four hours. Most worked in shifts. At the top of the hierarchy were the housekeeper and butler. From my understanding, they lead their divisions. Two leaders. Each with different duties. Kaz also had two Russian chefs. The rest of the staff consisted of maids, stewards, groundskeepers, and a valet.

At this hour, around ten maids worked in the huge kitchen along with two stewards near the door. When they saw us, all paused from what they were doing.

Friedrich, the butler sat at the head of the table, festive in his plum-colored smoking-jacket. A forkful of food, halfway to his open mouth. When we entered, he stopped the forks motion in mid-air. Unnoticed, the food slid off the fork and fell with a soft, distinct plop onto the edge of the table.

The housekeeper had been in the act of drinking a glass of water. With the glass, frozen against her mouth, water trickled down her chin and onto her shirt.

Pavel entered the back of the kitchen with five groundskeepers.

David stood on Kaz’s right. “What do you need?”

Kaz watched the staff. “Get me several sharp knives.”

Any of the staff that sat, now stood.

All knew this was business.

David rushed over to the counter, scrutinized the knives block, and yanked out several sharpened weapons. He returned and handed a butcher knife to Kaz and kept two knives for himself.

In his hand, Kaz swung the butcher knife back and forth.

Friedrich put the fork down and rose from his seat. “Sir, can I be of service in anyway?”

“Yes.” Kaz walked over to him. “We have a problem with dead animals being brought into the house. I’m wondering if anyone has something to say.”

Max stepped to my side. “What do you want me to do?”

I leaned his way. “Look for the guilty ones.”

“Got you.” He gave me his gun. “Take this, just in case.”

“Thanks.”

The butler caught that movement between us. His face reddened.

When it came to finding a culprit, it usually took the sight of blood to draw most out. That meant someone had to die within a minute to get everyone talking.

As if Kazimir read my mind, he called over a tall steward. “You. Get over here.”

Not moving, the