Dirty Passions An Interracial Russian Mafia Romance (The Lion and The Mouse #5) - Kenya Wright Page 0,88

“This isn’t his father.”

“Yeah. I saw his father in the other picture.”

I turned over the photo. That symbol from yesterday was written on the back—a star with an eye in the center.

A cold chill rushed up my spine. “This is what the person wanted.”

Boris looked at me. “Where do you think Yuri got it from?”

“We have to figure out all the last places he went before he died. He found it and then the person figured it out—”

“And killed him.”

“But Yuri didn’t have the picture on him. He hid it.” I turned the image back over and studied the six men’s faces. “Anybody look familiar?”

“No.”

I stuck the photograph in my pocket. “Kaz will know at least one of them. They’re definitely Bratva.”

Blue hurried into the bedroom. “Emily, a kid saw something. His name is Red. He’s in the hallway.”

“Good job, Blue.” I headed that way.

Boris followed.

I spotted the little boy. He was skin and bones with strawberry red hair and freckles on his cheek. He spoke in Russian to Blue.

“Yes, she’s the mouse.” Blue placed her hands on her hips. “Speak English.”

The boy pointed on the other side of the hallway. “I was sitting under the stairwell.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Why?”

The boy opened his mouth but said nothing.

Boris frowned. “He was waiting to rob someone.”

“Okay. I understand.” I nodded. “What did you see, Red?”

“Three guys. Big men. One had a bald head with a blue cross tattooed on it.”

Boris jumped in, “The blue cross was on his head?”

“Yes.” Red widened his eyes.

I lowered to his level. “What kind of clothes?”

“Suits.”

“Makes sense. Tell me this, Red. Did they slam the door in with a big metal bar?”

“Yes.” Red stretched out his hands. “It was this big.”

“What happened after that?”

“The woman screamed, and I shut my eyes.” Red shivered in front of me. “And then she didn’t scream anymore. I was afraid to leave. I thought maybe there were more men outside. I stayed right here for a long time.”

“You were probably right. That was smart.”

“I pissed my pants too.” Red pointed to the dirty jeans. A stain covered the front. It was clear he had no home or no one looking after him, since he still wore the same clothes from yesterday. “I didn’t leave until I heard them go. When they left, I didn’t look at their faces. I shut my eyes.”

“I understand.” I took out my wallet, opened it, and pulled out several bills. “Here. Get some new jeans and something to eat. No more robbing old ladies.”

“Where’s your mother?” Boris asked.

Red took the money. “I don’t have a mother.”

Blue scowled. “Everybody had a mother, kid.”

“Not me.” The little boy stuffed his pocket with the money.

“Go to the shelter in this district and ask for Fatuma.” Boris grimaced. “That’s my mother. Tell her I sent you. She’ll get you some food and help you out, so you won’t have to spend the money. You can just keep it close to you.”

Red began to run off.

Boris grabbed him by the shirt. “Hide the money in your underwear and go straight there. Fatuma will help you with getting clothes too.”

Red rushed away.

My head rang, assaulted from all the surprises of this week.

I let out a long breath. “Blue stay here with Lemon. I need our people directing the police. I don’t want Kaz’s men close to this until I trust them.”

“Okay.” Blue left. “I’ll grab Lemon.”

Boris turned to me. “Now what?”

“Let’s get out of here, before the cops and Kaz’s men come.” I headed away. “Let’s see if we can fit in the brothel or the drug house.”

“It won’t be the brothel. I think the drug house is a quick fix. Less armed men and mainly addicts.”

I wanted to burn down that brothel now. But with my pregnancy and in this new world, I couldn’t just act on emotion. I had to be careful. “I still want to check out the brothel.”

“We can do that.”

“After today, it’s going to be a bitch to get out of the penthouse again. I can already feel the lion’s chains wrapping around my ankle. If I want to get shit settled in this district, it needs to be done today. As much as possible without getting hurt.”

Chapter 21

Monkey see, Monkey do

Kazimir

Enraged, I shut off the phone and looked at Pavel. “Send half of our people with us to Kapotnya. I want them watching Emily and then immediately taking her back to the Penthouse.”

Pavel frowned. “But, we need you safe—”

“Do it!”

Pavel tossed his hair over his