“I will, baby. I’m coming to you.”
“You fucking better,” Grumbling, I handed the phone back to Maxwell and scowled at him. I should’ve been the one to go and get her. At least Emily was the only one thinking. If Jean-Pierre saw me missing, he would send his people around. There would probably be a gun battle, before I could get to her. Even more significant, it would be harder to get out.
I had to admit one thing.
For the moment, Jean-Pierre had more people and resources than me.
Only for today, butcher. Enjoy it.
Maxwell jumped up and ran out of the back exit.
Get her back to me, Maxwell. Keep her safe.
Pavel called out, “The van has entered the mall. Jean-Pierre is heading to the theater.”
Come on, you piece of shit.
I won’t kill him until I see Emily safe. Anything could happen while Max got my mouse, and brought her back to me.
For now, Jean-Pierre and his men would be focused on me. No longer would they be searching to recapture her. Their goal would be to save Eden.
I remained next to the flute player.
She turned my way and gave me a nervous smile.
I nodded at her.
I don’t like killing women, but if there’s one scratch on my mouse. . .you will scream in front of Jean-Pierre’s eyes.
Pavel returned to me with the phone to his ear. “He’s parked the van outside the theater’s entrance. His men and the black woman are climbing out the van.” Pavel used his other hand to take out his gun. “It’s seven men along with Louis, Rafael, and the black woman. She’s wearing sunglasses. They said it doesn’t look like the mouse.”
Idiot. You think you’ll do a quick trick? Give me the wrong woman and grab yours. What are you thinking?
Pavel raised his hand. “I’m sorry. More men have circled them.”
Adrenaline pumped in my veins. “How many?”
“They counted thirty circling and heading in with them.
I turned to Eden. She had a tiny neck. It would take one movement to break it. What Jean-Pierre didn’t understand, was that no amount of men mattered. I had Eden next to me. As long as that fact remained, I had him at my mercy.
But you’re smart. I’ll give you that.
Jean-Pierre had the men and the guns, even with the chaos I had created. Even with the lions in his warehouse. This was his city. He had been more than prepared to fight me. He wanted his woman. He would put every bullet to the cause.
Pavel let out a long breath and hung up the phone. “Five men are in front. Jean-Pierre and the woman are in the middle. Louis and Rafael are flanking them. Three more men are on each side. And more than twenty are following behind him.”
Anxiety rose in my chest, but I pushed it down. “Maxwell and Emily?”
“Nothing from Maxwell yet. He said he would call as soon as he gets her.”
I kept my voice down. “Perhaps, I should have Maxwell take Emily straight to the plane.”
Pavel shook his head. “I don’t know your mouse that well, but I don’t think he, or anyone else could keep her from coming to you.”
“Then, we drag this out until Emily gets here.” I rubbed my face with both of my hands. Still on edge. Emily sounded fine, but she wasn’t safe yet. Jean-Pierre had everyone around the mall. “The van that Jean-Pierre arrived in.”
“Yes?’ Pavel raised his eyebrows.
“As soon as he enters this theater, have our men fill the van with bullet holes. Fuck up the tires. Mess up the engine. I don’t want him to have a safe way out. Let’s keep all of them on their feet.”
“Anything else.”
Just bring her back to me.
“That’s it.”
Pavel left me and went down to the end of the aisle.
I gazed at Eden for a few seconds and then turned back to the screen. “You’re scared?”
She shivered next to me. “I am.”
It was best to lie to her. I didn’t need her acting hysterical. “I won’t hurt you, even if Jean-Pierre has given me every reason.”
“He won’t hurt your lover either.”
“She’s more than my lover.” I turned back to Eden. “She’s more than me.”
She nodded.
“Because of my mouse, I understand Jean-Pierre’s moves, more than I ever did before. He’s lucky he did this, at this specific time.” I threaded my fingers and directed my attention back to the screen. “I’m calmer now. I know what’s at stake. I know that this next moment, could either end the world, or continue it.”
Baba’s last words sounded in my head.
“You are darkness, and these future days will bring even more death. You must let it go.”
“Let what go?” I’d asked.
“You’ll know better than me.” She pulled those cards in and shuffled them. “Deep inside, you know.”
“Jean-Pierre kidnapping Emily?”
“Perhaps.”
“I won’t let that go.”
Emily and Baba didn’t support a war with the Corsican. I didn’t know, if I was strong enough to listen. Our child grew in Emily. I had no doubt about that. I knew well before Baba’s reading.