by Kenya Wright
None of those moments had triggered the fear, that I now experienced. The stakes were too high. I would lose too much.
Kazimir turned to me. “Have you ever seen this film?”
I didn’t even glance at the screen. “No.”
“Interesting gang story. . .with metaphor.”
“Doesn’t matter.” I frowned. “You must not miss your mouse, like I miss my Eden.”
He curved his mouth into a smile, but rage blazed in his eyes. “Mouse?”
I glared back at him. “Mouse.”
Tension thickened in the air.
Kazimir directed his view back to the screen, but the rage still thundered in his gaze. “And is that my mouse behind you?”
“It is.”
“But it’s not.”
The Mouse got to Kazimir first.
My heart hammered.
“Go ahead and confirm.” I rose. “I’m ready for this to end.”
His men pointed their guns at me.
Kazimir remained seated. “We don’t exchange yet.”
My voice rose. “We exchange now.”
Eden looked close to running. Ready to jump out of that seat. I could tell that she’d planned to leave with me no matter what, even if she was shot.
Don’t jump up yet, my love. Let me get closer to him.
Russians kept their guns pointed at me.
Kazimir shook his head. “You’re lucky I’m letting you stay alive.”
“Am I?” I inched closer, a little bit in front of him.
“Do you know why I haven’t shot you yet?” Kazimir looked up at me. “My mouse said you were nice.”
My body stiffened. “She was a good guest.”
He grinned with pride. “But you couldn’t hold onto her?”
I moved closer.
“Take another step, Jean-Pierre.” Kazimir glared. “Take it. If you do, then I’ll snap your flute player’s neck, and whistle a tune for you.”
“She plays the violin.”
“She’ll play my men’s cocks, if I want her to.” Kazimir returned to watching the screen. “Be grateful that she’s been a good guest. But for you…your very limited life will forever change. There are things that must be done to deal with this. Several people must die.”
His men lowered their guns.
Kazimir gestured to Rafael. “Maybe we can kill the funny one. I don’t like him anyway.”
“Let’s discuss who dies later. We both need a night with our women. What are we waiting for?”
“We’re waiting on my mouse. She said she escaped. The only question is…did you tell her to say that?”
“I didn’t.”
“How do I know she’s not trapped somewhere now? She says, she’ll be here soon.” He placed his hands in his lap. “You better hope she arrives with not one fucking scratch on her hand.”
“Can’t guarantee that. She’s not easy to hold on to.”
He looked at me. “My mouse gave you a hard time?”
Eden leaned forward.
Not yet, but soon.
She’d understood without my saying anything. Even after all this time, our bodies had returned back into sync.
Dear God, please let us get out of here alive. It wouldn’t be fair, if we didn’t.
I crossed my arms in front of my chest and got directly in front of Kazimir.
He frowned. “When they say the French are rude, I never understood until this trip.”
“Not your best visit to Paris, Kazimir? Maybe next time the weather will be better.” I looked at Eden. “How are you?”
Her bottom lip quivered. She slightly gestured with her head at the men. I shook my head, hoping she understood that now that I was here, no more harm would come her way.
She whispered, “I’m fine.”
“Are you ready to come home?”
Kazimir watched me talk to her, as if analyzing the situation.
“I am,” she whispered and stared back at the men.
I clenched my jaw. “And who did that to your face, reine?”
She swallowed. “The Devil.”
I kept my hands to my side, but I wanted to rip someone’s throat out. “Where’s the Devil now, Kazimir?”
“I’m holding him.”
“Why?”
“Bargaining chip.”
Bargaining for what? I don’t have time to think about it now. Get Eden out.
I looked at Eden. “Since you’ve been away, I’ve heard Strauss’s sonata in my ears. The first movement so romantic, yet the—”
“Enough with the conversation,” Kazimir said.
Shaking my head, I watched Eden. “The second movement seemed louder without you. Fast. Erratic. All over the place. Almost like feet to the ground. Running. Running really fast. Do you remember the notes?”
She raised her eyebrows.
Yes, my love. Run.
I gave a subtle nod, hoping she understood. She had to. I looked at Rafael and then back to her to show her the direction. “Notes running. Running fast—”
She was out of the chair and running, before I could say another word.
Two men charged for her.
Rafael shot them.
More shots rang out.
Some back from Louis side.
“Ah!” Eden screamed as she raced for Rafael.
I pulled out my gun.
Kazimir barreled into my side. I had no idea when he’d risen but knew he would. Like the beast he was named for, the Lion latched onto my neck with those big hands.
How long had he waited for that moment?
I struggled to get my gun free.
We fell to the floor.
More shots rang.
I swore, I heard my name.
Don’t worry, Eden. Get out of here.
I pulled the gun out and shot not sure if I got the Lion or not.
Kazimir fell away from me.
I jumped to my feet and ran.
Goddamn it. This might work!
Now wasn’t the time to stand and survey if the Lion was dead or not. In moments like this one acted in seconds.
Six Russians were down in front.
Four raced after Rafael and Eden. He had a tight grip on her hand and his gun out. I knew she’d be safe for now. They ran past my men.
Louis and Gwen were at the door. Louis had his gun out covering them, shooting. Every one of his shots hit. Not one missed.
Fucking warrior! Thank God for Louis.
Eden looked over her shoulder, but still kept moving forward. “Jean-Pierre!”
“I’ll be fine!” I jumped over a dead body. “Go without me!”
Still, she screamed, “Jean-Pierre, the Lion’s right behind you.”
Fuck!
I ducked to the left.
Kazimir leapt in front of me, barely missing. I slammed into his side, punched him.
Not today.
His jaw cracked one of my fingers. I slammed into him again. He grunted.
Someone shot our way.
Kazimir jumped back and hit the floor.
Get out. Get out.
Ducking, I ran forward, seeing Rafael with his gun up.
Okay. Rafael shot out.
“Take Eden!” I ran only four feet from him.
“We can probably kill him now.”
“So what?” I shoved Rafael forward. “Focus on getting the fuck out of here.”
Every bullet mattered.
We had Russians outside the theater, and Russians by the van.
There was no time to wait or overthink.
Louis opened the theater door. “Giorgio is on his way.”
“Good.”
Fighting had already begun in the cinema’s lobby. Our men and the Russians must’ve heard the conflict inside theater 7. Our men fought. Outnumbering, but still struggling. They got in a bullet when they could.
I grabbed Eden’s hand.
She tightened her grip.
And even though bullets flew.
&n
bsp; Even though we ducked.
I shot.
She screamed.
We ran.
Popcorn flew.
And arcade games rang among the screams and roars of chaos and war. Even though we would barely get out of there alive, I exhaled for the first time, sinking in the feel of her.
She’s back with me.
I’d been exhausted and terrified without her. Now, with Eden by my side, nothing would harm us.
We’ll get out of here alive!
Louis stayed with Gwen.
Rafael had our backs, shooting down anyone heading for us.
I did a quick count. Dread hit me.
No more of our men remained.
Only five Russians had survived in the lobby. They’d been using the ticket counter as a shield. Every time they came close to popping up their heads, we shot their way.
“Keep it up. We’re almost out of here.” I glanced behind my shoulder. There’d been no sign of Kazimir. I didn’t think Rafael had hit him or me either, but maybe we had.
“Almost there, guys. Come on.”
“Stay close.”
“I got that motherfucker right there.”
“Fuck him and get out!”
“Come on!”
We made it outside the theater.
More chaos. More shooting. Shoppers screaming and running. Mall security hiding and fleeing. Bullet casings scattered the floor, along with dropped bags and purses.
The van we’d rode in was full of bullet holes. The tires flattened.
Shit.
Giorgio was on his way, but we couldn’t go back in the lobby with Kazimir and his few men at our backs.
“Let’s head the way Giorgio is coming. We’ll meet each other in the middle.” Louis grabbed Gwen. “Stay low and on my side. Moving is better than staying.”
Eden stayed with me.
She’s with me. Everything is going to be fine.
We rushed pass the van. Guns pointed. I didn’t know if we had any bullets left. But Louis, Rafael, and I surrounded the women and hurried down the hallway. Gwen and Eden didn’t play. They ducked and kept the pace.
We’re going to fucking get out of here. Yes.
Shoppers had been running all over the place, crashing into each other. More bags, and even large displays were sprawled everywhere. So many people ran back and forth. A mob of terrified people, speeding off here and there.
“Stay low. This way,” I yelled. “Hide behind everyone else.”
We ducked around terrified shoppers, putting our guns low to our waist.
Rafael scowled. “Where the fuck is Giorgio?”
“He’ll come.” I gestured for us to follow a massive crowd lining up by the escalators and glanced back. “Oh, come on!”
“What?” Louis looked back.
Kazimir had a van of his own. I didn’t know where it came from, or where he’d had it hidden. It didn’t matter at that moment being that on top of the van was a massive machine gun mounted to the roof. Some crazy guy with a helmet sat on top.
It looked like something off of an apocalypse gun battle movie scene.
I see you, Kazimir. You just brought out all the stops today.
Scanning the chaotic space, Kazimir had the passenger door open. He wasn’t even sitting in his seat as the van slowly drove forward. He stood dangling out the passenger side, gun in one hand. Other hand holding on to something in the van. He moved his head from side to side looking all over for us.
My heart sank. “He’s not going to let us get to the van, even if Giorgio gets here in time.” I let go of Eden. “I’ll be right back.”
She stopped me. “No. We can hide and—”
“If we stay here, he’ll just use us as target practice. I didn’t give him his mouse. He has no idea, if she’s really alive or not. I’ve got to get him to go the other way.”
“Shit.” Rafael shook his head. “I’m going with you.”
“No,” I said. “Go with them.”
Rafael wasn’t having it. “Louis has them, and Giorgio will be here soon. I stay with you.”
I turned to Eden. Fear filled her eyes. I grabbed her tight, wishing I could kiss her, touch her, tell her everything and more. “I love you, reine. Tonight, we’ll celebrate like never before.”
Before she could speak, I ran off.
I hope I keep my promise. At least, she’ll be alive. Anything for her. Anything.
Rafael got to my side, pointing to the hallway in the other direction. “We’ll take the Lion that way.”
Kazimir had been close to the corner where either he would turn to the escalators or the way we hoped. Crowds of people rushed back and forth distorting our view of him.
Once we got a clear space to see, Rafael shot in the air Kazimir’s way and ducked.
We kept moving forward, using the people as our camouflage.
Kazimir couldn’t see us, but the van followed in the direction we’d wanted.
Come on, Lion. Your prey is over here.
A lot of makeup counters were in the center of this path. Regular clothing shops outlined the hallway. Kazimir’s war van drove slowly down the hallway, honking at people to get out of the way. And he was twenty feet from us.
I pointed my gun, getting a good aim at his head, pulled. Nothing came out.
Goddamn it.
“I might have one more.” Rafael dragged me into the lingerie store. “Let’s hide in here.”
“Good.” I held the gun, ready to use it as a metal pipe to slam into the Lion’s head.
You want to play, kitty. Come on.
We ducked behind a large display of bras decorated in pastel colors.
Crouching.
My phone buzzed.
I pulled it out. “Yes?”
“Giorgio just arrived,” Louis said. “He’s ten feet from us.”
“Good. Get Eden in. Go ahead. We’ll get out.”
“Fuck that. We’re coming to get you both.”
“Eden and Gwen out first.”
Louis cut our arguing. “Then, I’ll send the bikes your way.”
“Good.” I hung up, spotted Kazimir’s van passing the store, and dragged Rafael down.
Rafael whispered, “What did Louis say?”
“Giorgio’s close to them. He sees him. Louis is going to send the bikes for us.”
“Shit. Just bikes. You see that fucking canon on the van.” Rafael peaked from the display. “Louis better send the military.”
My heart hammered.
This was the first time I’d had to catch my breath.
People screamed.
The van honked further away.
“We may be able to run back to the escalators.” I leaned out and couldn’t see Kazimir.
“No way. I’m out of bullets. Let’s just hide behind these bras until the bikes come.”
A dark chuckle came from me.
Rafael gave me an odd look. “What?”
“Can you imagine, if my father and yours saw us right now.”
He cheered up a little. “They would shoot us themselves.”
And then tires screeched.
I looked out from the display.
The van was rushing back.
Shit. Someone must’ve told Kazimir about Giorgio’s van or perhaps his men spotted Eden and Louis.
Kazimir clearly had people all over the place, which was to be expected.
The van came close to our direction. It was heading back toward the escalators but hadn’t passed us yes.
“No. We can’t let them go that way.”
“What do you want to do?” Rafael asked.
More feet closed in between us. Kazimir’s still stood on the passenger side, but now he was on my side.
Maybe I can grab him.
Kazimir was now ten feet.
I shook my head and rose. “We can’t let him get to the escalators.”
Rafael stood with me. “So, we’re going to do what?”
“Be creative.” I
looked around, grabbed a large mannequin, and ran out there. The heavy thing had on a velvet gown that slapped my face with feathers.
“Lion!” Too fast to think, I launched the mannequin at Kazimir. It rose in the air and crashed into the passenger door.
He fell off.
The van screeched and swerved to the side, slamming into a wall. The guy manning the mounted gun fell off the van’s top.
Score one for the French.
Following me, Rafael slung a mannequin into the window and shattered the glass.
I grabbed another one. “Did you get the driver?”
“If God loves me.”
Score two.
I ran back out.
Kazimir and five men, charged our way with guns.
I slung the mannequin at them. “Rafael!”
“Yeah?”
“Run!”
“Shit!” Rafael dropped the mannequin and ran back into the lingerie store.
Fast, I followed. “Not that way.”
Still, I rushed after him to the back.
Rafael gestured several feet away to an opening. “There’s a way out here.”
“How do you know that?”
“I fucked a lot of salesclerks here.”
Figures.
The lingerie store was bigger than I thought. It had been connected into three different stores, that had entrances connected at the side, so customers could walk throughout each area without leaving the main store.
It didn’t matter.
Kazimir and two men followed.
Shots rang. We ducked behind hangers of panties and lace stockings. With the guns in the closed the space, we rushed forward. They were still close. More shots came. Not one hit. But the store would be demolished. Bits of mannequins splattered, and the lights shattered, blinking off and on.
We rushed into the next section. It looked more like sleepwear and beauty products.
We crouched below, waiting for them.
“Bikes should be here soon. We just have to keep him busy.”
“You get the Lion.” Rafael took a metal hanger off the rack, slid the pajama set off, and held it like a massive hammer. “I’ll get the others.”
“Stay alive.”
Rafael sneaked away.
I remained.
The two men rounded the corner.
Rafael had disappeared, probably following them and waiting for a good time to grab one.
Where are you, Kazimir?
Sweat dripped down my face.
