The general rose from his chair and spoke in Russian.
“English.” Kazimir walked over with a steady stride. My heartbeat hammered in my chest. He looked like he was heading over to slap him.
Don’t do it. I’m enjoying Paris.
A couple of my uniformed men exchanged glances. I had no idea what I would do if Kazimir acted on his anger.
Breathe and focus. I’m in the middle of a possible shootout between the Bratva and Russian military. So…basically, it’s just Tuesday with Kazimir.
The general gave him an odd look. “English? Why?”
Kazimir stood in front of the general and towered over him. “You come here to my suite, ruin my vacation with guns, and you ask questions?”
The general turned to his men and gestured for them to put the guns away. They did.
Kazimir still didn’t look pleased.
The general sighed and signaled for the door. Most of the soldiers left except for two that stood near the door and held several badges on their jacket.
That dark Russian accent lay heavy in Kazimir’s tone. “What does Smirnov want?”
The general held a smile on his face as he raised his hands, but there was no humor. “Smirnov would like a conversation, and as you well know, he will not stop until he has the discussion.”
My lion leaned his head to the side. “And do we know what Kazimir will not stop, if he doesn’t get his peace?”
The general backed up. “These protests must be handled.”
“And the brotherhood will handle them?”
The general didn’t respond.
“My people will go out into the streets and beat old men and women? Children? For who? For what? Why would I involve them?”
“This is the second day of protests now. Yesterday was just a tiny amount compared to today.”
Kazimir clenched his jaw. “I am in Paris, General. Not Moscow.”
“The protests have spread well beyond Moscow. Over ninety cities across the country have been ravaged by some sort of protest. People have come out in the hundreds in Vladivostok, in the Far East, Siberian Tomsk, Krasnodar, and Kaliningrad.”
“I have a television for the news.”
“Smirnov believes it is time for you all to step in.”
“Step in? Why, to wrangle protestors unhappy with their money being stolen?” Kazimir shook his head. “And these protestors are our friends. They are people we know well. Fathers and mothers. Brothers and sisters. Co-workers. Church members.”
The general’s smile grew darker. “You go to church?”
“I have.” Kazimir gestured at his men. A guard headed over to the kitchen, went to a drawer, rummaged through it, and pulled out a knife.
“This is a discussion.” The general looked taken aback. His men at the door reached for their guns.
Kaz’s men pointed. My heart raced.
Well…at least he hasn’t slapped him.
Kazimir’s men stepped to the soldiers and disarmed them. Both looked to the general for some order.
Meanwhile, another guard brought a butcher knife to Kazimir.
The general backed up. “This is not my debate, Kazimir. I am only the messenger.”
“Perhaps I should make you the message.”
The general backed up again. “The only message my death would send to Smirnov is that you no longer enjoy our peaceful arrangement.”
One of the soldiers sputtered Russian at the door. Some guy knocked him the fuck out with the back of a gun. They caught him before he fell to the floor, avoiding alerting the soldiers outside the door.
Alrighty. Perhaps, I should’ve brought a gun in here.
All I could do was watch and stay out of the way. Kazimir wanted to teach me about his life and, in this moment, I was seeing a major lesson.
Never, ever fuck with Kazimir. No matter who you are.
Kazimir grabbed the butcher knife from his guard. “The church in the town I’m from served chicken soup after service. On the first Sunday, there was always one cookie each kid got if they showed they paid attention. Therefore, I made sure to remember every verse.”
The general looked around as if wondering if someone would talk sense to Kazimir. “I’ve given you the message.”
“You have.” Kazimir twisted the butcher knife in his hand and stepped closer to the general.
“Kazimir, this is not the option you want to take—”
“The bible talks a lot about lions. Did you know that?”
“I did, but Kazimir, Smirnov expects the Bratva and your allegiance—”
“I have many favorite bible verses about lions.” Kazimir slammed the general against the wall.
The general shoved his arms away and charged for him. Kazimir rammed one arm at his neck and shoved his entire body back up the wall.
The general choked under the pressure of Kazimir’s arm. “Proverbs says, ‘the lion is the mightiest among beasts and does not turn its back before any.’”
Okay. Maybe you should just slap him.
Choking, the general struggled against him.
“In Nahum 2:12, ‘the lion tore enough for his cubs and strangled prey for his lionesses.’” Kazimir reached his hand holding the butcher knife back and then slammed the weapon into the general’s chest.