Dirty Passions An Interracial Russian Mafia Romance (The Lion and The Mouse #5) - Kenya Wright Page 0,73

was their hope. For that reason, Kapotnya was also the perfect cage—small enough to detect foreigners in the area, but large enough to give my mouse a sense of freedom.

If Jean-Pierre was smart, he’ll be too scared to go to Kapotnya. He knows nothing about the district. People there would spot his cousins and him a mile away. It would be too easy for him to get caught.

So then. . .you’ll have to go somewhere else. Where will you go, Jean-Pierre?

“Kaz?”

I looked at Emily. “Yes, mysh.”

“Why did you really give me Kapotnya?”

“Three reasons. One to keep you busy. There was no way I could trap you in the house. Two, all the residents and your men could safely guard you there. It may even be safer than this property right now. And, three. . .”

Smiling, she shook her head.

I prowled her way and brought her back into my arms. “Three, I want to show the brotherhood who I fell in love with. I have no doubt you’ll turn Kapotnya into the highest money making area in Russia. Already it’s been improved, and you just had some of the men. With full control, you’ll dominate.”

“I love that you have so much faith in me.”

“Always, mysh.” I leaned her way and kissed her. Usually, I would have spent more time enjoying those lips, but we didn’t have those minutes. More problems had come.

That symbol on the wall. I have to tell her, but I don’t want to scare her. Should I keep it from her? No. I can’t.

Chapter 18

The Knights of Babylon

Kazimir

I dragged myself away from that lovely mouth. “We have to talk about something else.”

“What?”

“The symbol above the bed. The one painted in blood.”

“The star with the eye in the center.”

“Had I not been around Uncle Igor, I may not have recognized it.”

“Fuck.” She edged back. “Is it some black magic shit?”

“Kind of. The brotherhood can be superstitious. Many religions don’t except our way of life. Therefore, many praise other things.”

“What does the symbol represent?”

“It represents a group. In fact, they’re sort of an occult. They call themselves the Knights of Babylon.” I yearned to touch her, but I didn’t dare. I didn’t even want to talk about this anymore as if these words could stain her skin.

“The Knights of Babylon?”

I swallowed. “They’re underground, although many powerful people have been involved with them.”

“So, they’re a secret society?”

“Yes. One that’s very ancient. They deal with gods and goddesses. Even more, they believe in human sacrifice as well as power overall.”

She held herself as if she was cold. “How do you know about them?”

“When I first became the head of the brotherhood, letters were left for me. On the envelope that same symbol was there, but in gold. An old wax seal was on the back with the same eye in the center of the star. When I opened it, an invitation was on old parchment paper, requesting that I meet them within the Kremlin building at midnight.”

“What did they want?”

“They were recruiting me. But I’m not a fan of sacrifices and cults. There’s only one God. I don’t need a secret group to introduce me to Him. I can talk to Him myself.”

“So, what did you do?”

“Uncle Igor told me to ignore the letters and not respond. Still, I didn’t like that they could get the letters into my limo, office, and even the bedroom of one of my lovers. I sent men down to the Kremlin at midnight to handle them.”

“What happened?”

“My men’s heads were left on my doorstep the next morning. I considered it war and tried to find them, but it’s difficult to hunt shadows. Pretty much impossible.”

“How long ago was this?”

“Five years.” I let out a long breath. “Uncle Igor heard of my little war against them and arrived in Moscow that afternoon. He spent the rest of the week begging me to forget about the Knights of Babylon. He warned that there were too many powerful people within the group. Men that scared even him.”

“He knew some of them?”

“He did, but he wouldn’t tell me who or anything else. Something had clearly happened between the Knights of Babylon and him that he didn’t want to discuss. That was the only thing on this earth that I’d witnessed ever terrifying Uncle Igor.”

“So, there’s no way he was a part of them?”

“None at all.”

Uncrossing her arms, she tapped her thigh over and over. “Knights of Babylon. At least, that’s a clue for us.”

Terror hit me. “No, mysh. That’s a