“This evening. I see you two on a plane.”
“And the Corsican?”
“Sleeping safely in their bed.”
“I won’t kill them tonight?”
“You’ll try, but you can’t. They’re linked to you.”
“No. They’ll die tonight.”
“There goes the lion.” Baba tapped the pile of cards in front of me. “Touch them.”
I placed both my hands on them. “She comes back to me tonight?”
“If I ended up lying, then you can shoot me right here.” Baba touched the center of her forehead.
David stirred on my side.
I placed my hands on my lap. “I wouldn’t shoot you.”
“I’m certain of that too.”
Still, ease didn’t hit me. “Will she be harmed?”
“The mouse rode the lion’s back with pride. Held strands of the mane like it was a horse’s leather harness.” Baba grabbed the cards. “The mouse rides the lion, but she hasn’t tamed him. He roared the whole time as they walked into the sunset.”
I didn’t know David’s baba, but I understood women like her. Ones touched with something more. Ones that could see beyond others.
I desperately wanted to believe her.
But am I wasting my time?
She whispered, “You’re not wasting your time.”
Chills hit my skin.
She set the first card on the table.
On the card, a pale white skeleton stood within cold darkness.
“Death. Not surprised that it would be your first one.” She touched the card’s edges. “In the dream, there was blood on your paws and on the mouse’s fur. Lots of blood.”
Pressure built in my chest. “But was it our deaths?”
“You don’t care about anyone else?”
I stared at her. “No.”
“You should, but this is something different.” She tapped the card. “Something else must die, when your mouse comes to you.”
“What does that mean?”
“You must let something go. Let it die. I don’t know what, but let’s see.” She pulled out another card. A clown sat on the edge of a cliff and grinned at the sun. “The Fool.”
She studied both of them , grabbed a long silver stick, with a purple gem at the tip and touched the card with the jewel. “With the death, there will be a new cycle. But there must be death.”
I rubbed my eyes. “I don’t understand.”
“You have to let it go.” She circled the fool with the gem and pulled out another card. A woman sat on the throne with a cross dangling from her neck. “The High Priestess. She relates to the woman’s cycles. Their magic.”
“Their magic?”
“Their fertility.” Baba squinted and tapped the death card. “This is an odd reading. There’s death and birth, and right in the middle of it all, is a fool.”
She pulled out another card. Another woman sat on the throne. “The Goddess.”
She leaned back in her chair. “This reading is more of a feminine nature than I thought you would have.”
I stared at the fool. “Am I him?”
“Who?”
“The fool?”
“No. But there is a fool around you.” She touched the death card. “This is you, if we look at the cards that way. You are darkness, and these future days will bring even more death. You must let it go.”
“Let what go?”
“You’ll know better than me.” She pulled those cards forward and shuffled them. “Deep inside, you know.”
“Jean-Pierre kidnapping Emily?”
“Perhaps.”
“I won’t let that go.”
“He may be the fool.”
“He definitely is.”
“Then, what does your mouse bring. Let’s see.” She pulled a card from the center of the stack, turned it over, and placed it on the table. Two nude people stood in an embrace. “No surprise. The lovers.”
Baba smiled. “Your mouse brings you love. She gives you balance.”
She took another card out. A king held a sword in one hand and a set of scales in the other hand. “Justice. She brings you peace.”
My eyes watered. My throat went dry.
She placed another card down. A woman in a white robe petted a lion. Although the animal was massive, the woman had no problem soothing him with her strokes. “Your mouse is the strong one in the relationship. Look to her more than you look within yourself.”
I stared at her. I couldn’t blink. I couldn’t find the words.
And deep within my chest, my heart ached.
David cleared his throat. “You’re depressing him, baba.”
I held my hand up to stop him and leaned in. “So, my mouse is safe?”
“Today she is.”
“And tomorrow?”
“I don’t know. I only see today.”
“You saw the destruction of our future.”
“That’s not God, or the cards. That’s just my two eyes.” She gestured to the cards. “These just tell me what happens now.”
I’ll have my mouse by this evening. And she’ll be safe.
I rubbed my face again.
All my life, I trusted in the universe. I noticed the signs. Many times I believed this kept me safe, and ahead of all my enemies.
But that had just been my life in danger. When it came to Emily, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to put all my beliefs in the moon and stars.
“Let’s see if we can get more answers.” Baba took all the cards again, shuffled them, and set the death card back on the table. Shaking her head, she set another card next to him. Upside down, a man dangled from a tree by his ankles. “The Hanged Man.”
She picked up the silver stick and tapped the gem on the table. “You must surrender the ego. Everything you know must be turned upside down. . .or. . .” She tapped the death card. “You’re demise will surely come or the death of those you love.”
I gripped the edge of the table.
She pulled out another card. “The Devil.”
His black horns stuck out at the top of his head. His red skin appeared to be on fire. “The Devil is an illusion. It’s power. Greed. Anything that comes from the material world.”
She circled the card with her gem stick. “He’s your dark side too. Your shadow. Keep him at bay.”
“That will be hard in these next days.”
She gave me a sad smile. “You’ll want revenge?”
“I will.”
“Be careful that the Devil is not on your side.”
I gave her a wicked smile, thinking of Jean-Pierre’s enemy handcuffed on my plane. “The Devil’s on my side for now.”
Her forehead wrinkled as she studied me. “I see nothing but darkness for Paris.”
“That sounds right.”
She set the silver stick down. “Even at the mention of your mouse, the cards showed love and peace. Be careful that you don’t lose her on your path of revenge.”
I can’t lose her.
“Love is about choice, lion.”
I wondered if Baba could read my thoughts, or if my face was so easily readable after all my exhaustion. This had been the most emotional I ever felt. The last time I was this anxious and stressed, my mother was on her death bed.
Baba set the cards away and sighed. “That is all I have for you today. Perhaps, if you come back again, I will have more to say.”
I opened my mouth and then closed it.
“What?”
“I have another question.”
“What’s on your mind?”
“No. I decided I don’t want to know the answer, if for some reason, I don’t have her.”
“Ask. I already told you that she’ll be safe and back with you.”
I gripped the table harder. “Is she pregnant?”
“Yes.”
Tears left my eyes. I rubbed them away with both hands.
Jesus. Is this real? Can I trust this?
My voice crac
ked at the end. “Boy or girl?”
Baba curved her mouth into a wrinkled smile. “A girl.”
My hands shook. Baba and even the room left me. I sat in the space by myself, covered in the glowing light from the emerald chandelier.
A girl?
A knock came from behind me and brought me back to the moment.
Maxwell’s voice filled the room. “Misha is on the phone.”
“Thank you, baba. I must go.” I rose.
“Come back.”
“I will.” I headed out of the parlor and took the phone from Maxwell. “Yes?”
Misha’s voice came on the line. “Jean-Pierre called in a lot of favors to have the towers off. I’m doing my best.”
I pushed down my disappointment. “Good. Get them up for as long as you can.”
“I’m sorry, Kazimir.”
Thinking of Baba’s words, I held in my anger.
“You’ll get her back.” Misha’s voice went low. “Trust me.”
“I better.” I hung up and hurried down the hallway.
“What’s next?” David asked.
“We head to Forum des Halles and prepare.”
“Did. . .did my grandmother help?”
“She did.” I stopped and turned to him. “In fact, I think you should consider moving. Your grandmother too.”
He widened his eyes. “Moving to where?”
“Moscow.” I headed off. “We’ll talk more later.”
Chapter 8
Emily
Minutes passed. There looked to be no chance of Kazimir or Maxwell coming. If they had the location, they would’ve been here.
I have to go with another plan.
My stomach growled.
Right after I eat.
I was exhausted and slow. I needed some food and coffee. Anything to get my mind back to thinking again.
Natalie continued to cook, but now she had her son with her. She’d said his name was Benji. The little guy sat on her right hip, while she stirred something in a pan.
I wasn’t a fan of kids. I didn’t hate them. I just knew, that they were precious and needed to be handled with care. And I wasn’t sure, if I was the right person to be around something so pure.
But the little boy was gorgeous. I tried not to look Benji’s way. He had these big eyes that appeared plucked from an angel. Same brown skin as Gwen and her. And on top of his head was a puff of kinky curls.
I thought back to Kazimir’s and my conversation in the Eiffel Tower.
“I’m more than ready.” He stared at me with intensity. “I imagine. . .”
“You imagine what?”
“A little girl that looks like you, but with my smile, or maybe even my eyes. A boy. My face, but with beautiful brown skin. Twins even, or triplets.”
“Okay. Wait a minute.”
“These are just my dreams.”
“But could you not dream about triplets?”
“Then twins.”
Benji watched me and gurgled little bubbles around his lips. He popped a few of the bubbles and giggled.
A stupid smile spread across my face.
Louis scowled at me.
Relax. I’m not going to kill him.
Natalie pulled out a highchair. One of Jean-Pierre’s guards grabbed it for her, and tried to help her put the kid in it.
“I’ve got it.” Natalie placed Benji down in seconds and strapped him in. “Okay. Back to S.O.S. It’s almost done.”
Louis rose. “How can I help?”
“By sitting your big behind down. You’ll take up the whole kitchen.”
He sure would. Go sit your ass down. We’re hungry.
Louis smirked but lowered back onto his stool.
When he looked my way, I turned.
For a kidnapping, and us hiding out in these women’s apartment, everything had been going okay. I was bummed about not getting rescued, but there was a chance of bacon. Sometimes it was the little things that kept a person going.
Everything had been going fine.
And then Natalie pulled out a carton of eggs, cracked one, and dropped it in the skillet. Usually, a fan of eggs, I was shocked when the scent hit the air and my stomach twisted in disgust.
No. No. I’m about to eat. I don’t want to be sick.
The smell of eggs cooking filled the kitchen.
It’s fine. Everything is fine.
I hugged my stomach.
Come on. Give me a break.
Bile rose in my throat. I thought, if I didn’t use my nose to breath, it would work out.
Natalie dropped more eggs into the pan .
I opened my mouth, inhaled, and exhaled.
It didn’t help.
Humming, Natalie set a plate in front of Louis. I glanced at it. Two fluffy eggs were stacked on top of thick biscuits doused in a crumbling white sauce.
“Would you like some coffee too?” Natalie asked him.
Louis placed his hands together, as if he was in prayer. “Please, you beautiful angel.”
My eyes watered.
My head went dizzy.
Natalie giggled. “Oh my God, Louis. You’re so funny.”
Louis stabbed one of the eggs. Yellow goo spilled out.
Ick.
Jean-Pierre leaned my way. “Don’t worry. You’ll get the next plate, no matter what.”
Oh, God no. I’m no longer hungry.
I shook my head, trying not to speak too much. I didn’t want to throw up all over my new clothes.
Jean-Pierre frowned. “You’re not hungry?”
“I feel sick.”
“Again?” He studied me. “You already threw up. Do you want water?”
“No.” I held my stomach and turned away from the eggs on Louis’ plate.
Maybe, if I don’t look at them.
Natalie said something to her son. All I could do was focus on pushing away the nausea.
For some reason, I turned back to Louis.
He tore a biscuit and dipped it in the gooey eggs.
Oh God.
He lathered up more of the goo, twisting it around in the white sauce and then stuffed it into his mouth. Egg dripped down his chin.
Natalie looked at me. “Are you sure you don’t want anything, Emily?”
Blinking, I hugged my stomach, knowing that if I opened my mouth it would be over.
“Don’t worry.” Natalie’s face brightened. “I couldn’t eat eggs in my first trimester either.”
I swallowed down the saliva gathering in my mouth. “I’m not pregnant.”
“Oh.” Natalie raised her hands. “My bad. I was watching you since you’d been here. . .and… girl, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
“Yeah. It was just…never mind…Gwen says I’m always assuming crazy stuff that’s not there. Ignore me.” Natalie, starting all over again, grabbed another egg from the tray, cracked it on the frying pan, and dropped it in . The air filled with the aroma of fried eggs. They sizzled.
Oh fuck this. I can’t.
I jumped up and covered my mouth.
Natalie called after me, “The bathroom is that way!”
I checked over my shoulder.
Natalie pointed down the hallway.
I rushed in that direction, got into the bathroom, fell to the floor, opened the toilet lid, and let it all out. I didn’t even have food in my stomach. Just bile and stomach acid. It all came out anyway.
Why me? Why now?
When I finished, I flushed the toilet, washed my hands, and rinsed my mouth. No longer was I interested in bacon, or anything else.
My stomach twisted in pain.
But I have to eat. Fuck. What’s going on? I’m pregnant. It has to be, or I’m allergic to eggs being cooked while being kidnapped g.
Someone knocked at the door.
Leave me alone!
My hands shook. I didn’t know where I was. I no longer knew my body, and the most privacy I could get, always involved a room with a toilet.
Natalie stood outside of it. “I have pregnancy tests in the medicine cabinet. At least three.”
I blinked.
“You can use them. . .just when you get free. . .and I know you will.” She gave me a weak smile. “Send me three pregnancy tests back though. A sista works hard. You know what I’m saying?”
My voice was low. “Okay.”
She lowered her voice. “Where’s my phone?”
“In your dresser drawer. ”
“No one’s coming this way?”
“No.”
She shut the door.
I turned to the medicine cabinet.
Enough with the avoiding the answer, it’s time to know. If anything, maybe that will help me get control.
I walked over to the medicine cabinet, opened it, and pulled two out, not thinking I would need three. Seeing them made me think of my best friend Kennedy.
Kennedy brought a bag of pregnancy tests to my house. “Here girl. Stick them next to your boxes of condoms.”
I waved her away. “I’m not getting pregnant. That’s why I have the boxes.”
“Doesn’t matter. They’re not 100%.”
“Not happening, Kennedy. Keep those things out of my house.”
I sat with her in the bathroom many times. At least once a year she got a pregnancy scare. However, her period would come late due to change of eating, stress, or some new work out plan. Still she would freak out for a week, call me over, and have me help her with the tests.
You never were pregnant though, Kennedy.
I tore through the wrapping.
I wish you ended up having one. It would’ve been nice to have a little person here on this earth that reminded me of you.
I looked in the mirror. Tears spilled out my eyes. I had no idea, why I was crying again. I wiped them away and tore open the next test.
Fuck it. I’ll use the third one too.
I took that one out and started the process quick. I barely had to pee. It took a minute to force something out. But I did, making sure to hit each stick.
I can’t believe I’m doing this now.
I thought about Kazimir, knowing that he would’ve wanted to be here.
Don’t worry, baby. Don’t worry. . .
I had a few minutes, before the results. I hoped the guard would give me the time. There was no way for me to escape.
Come on. What is it? Fuck. Am I ready? It doesn’t matter. It is, what it is. If I can deal with this kidnapping, I can be. . .
Dirty Minds: The Lion and The Mouse (Book 4) Page 11
