13. The Unanswered Calls
Chapter thirteen
The Unanswered Calls
Emily
Am I ready for this?
Soon the healing process would begin.
Whatever that meant.
For now, Delphine told us to wait while she prepared.
Once Kaz left, Max announced that he needed a smoke break.
I chose not to join him in a session, due to Delphine’s berries. Whatever that stuff was, it could still be in my system and have some crazy reaction with the marijuana.
However, I did go outside with Max.
We chose the back porch because the front one was currently packed with all of Delphine’s men.
The beauty of the setting sun was breathtaking, painting the sky with splashes of purples, oranges, and golds. A faint breeze whispered through the cypress trees, rustling the Spanish moss that hung on their branches.
Meanwhile, the swampy wilderness around me came to life with soothing sounds—the song of crickets and croaking frogs creating a peaceful symphony.
This was a world far removed from what I was used to, and my heart ached with intensity.
The thought of Kazimir—in some swamp, on a crazy mission, and without me by his side—ate at me. Every beat of my heart echoed his name, a sweet yet sorrowful refrain that I could not silence.
Of course, I had faith in him.
Still, I hoped that he was safe when he grabbed the Eye.
Stop worrying. This is New Orleans, not Moscow. He’ll be back without one scratch.
Then there were Emilio and Paolo—my two precious sons. The separation from them created a void in me, a hollow, gaping wound that only their presence could heal.
Baba is with them. Everything will be alright.
From my perch on Delphine’s back porch, I observed Max.
At least my brother is here.
He stood nonchalantly by an ancient oak several feet away. The glow of his lit blunt pierced the creeping twilight. He was a silhouette framed by the dimming sunlight.
A picture of silent contemplation.
Max’s phone must have rung because he pulled it out. The screen illuminated his face with a soft, blue light. I watched as his eyes scanned the display. A flicker of annoyance flashed across his face before it was replaced with a mask of impassivity.
I quirked my brows.
Who is that?
Loudly sighing, he quickly tucked the phone back into his pocket and took a long drag from his blunt.
Lemon came out on the back porch and stood on my right. “Hello, Emily. Our people confirmed that the Lion stopped by the hotel to grab his sister and more men.”
I didn’t turn her way. “Now they’re off to deal with the Alligator Don?”
“Correct.”
“Cool.” For some reason, I continued to study Max.
I swear on everything that something had been off with him since he returned from Italy. And the fact that he wouldn’t let me know what happened with Ufuoma told me that some really fucked up shit had gone down.
Lemon spoke, “Blue also delivered information and pictures on her progress in Moscow. They have a few leads, but not a definite suspect. Would you like me to read it to you?”
“No.” I watched Max. “I’ll check it later.”
He blew smoke into the air and gazed at the newly appearing stars.
I knew that look—the furrowing of the brows and the slight clench of the jaw.
He’s worried about something.
While it could have been about my healing, I knew it wasn’t.
What’s gnawing at his heart? And who do I need to kill so he can get peace?
Dark curiosity twisted within my core, and because I’d been in the zone for these past days. . .I knew that dark curiosity wasn’t me.
It was Lunita.
Even she knows something is wrong with Max.
“Also,” Lemon added. “When I had our men do a search around the perimeter of this property, we discovered the Butcher’s men in their cars and monitoring our visit.”
For the second time, Max’s phone must have buzzed because he took it out and read the message on the screen.
The person sent a text since you didn’t answer.
He let out a long breath, closed his eyes, and then put the phone back in his pocket.
I turned to Lemon. “Are we sure it is the Butcher’s men and not Rafael’s?”
Lemon nodded. “When we put guns on them, my phone rang and the Butcher spoke on the other end.”
I smirked. “That is so J.P. I bet he had Louis watching from a satellite or something. What did the Butcher say to you?”
“He explained that his men were there to monitor and help whenever necessary. He also explained that he didn’t think the Lion would do a good job of not killing anyone in New Orleans, and he wanted to avoid that as much as possible.”
“Everybody better leave my baby alone.” I shook my head and placed my gaze back on Max. “Kaz will not kill anybody this trip.”
Finally, the phone must have vibrated a third time because Max cursed and had it back out of his pocket.
What the fuck? I would have Misha spy on him for me, but he wouldn’t do that to his homey.
I tightened my hold on the railing.
Max stared at the glowing screen. Whatever it was, it had shaken him, pierced the armor he was trying to carefully maintain since he had returned to me.
The phone went back into his pocket.
Dread twisted in my heart. I didn’t know why Max thought I would let him fight his own battles, when he had been helping me fight mine all my life.
Time for me to put my nosey ass into this situation.
I stepped back from the railing. “Lemon.”
“Yes, Emily?”
“I need you to contact the Butcher again and have him get Louis to hack Max’s phone.”
“Oh. . .Max’s phone?”
“Yes. I want to know who keeps calling him and why he won’t answer.”
Lemon widened her eyes. “I can do that.”
“Also, see if Louis will tell me what happened in Italy. He was there with Max and Boris. And if Louis doesn’t say shit, then get some of our people down in Italy to figure that shit out. I need to know.”
“I will work on that now.” Lemon nodded and headed off.
Enough with this bullshit.
My own phone vibrated.
I took it out and checked the screen.
It’s about time you called me back.
I cradled the phone against my ear. “What the hell is going on?”
Baba’s voice remained calm. “How are you, Emily?”
“Are we not going to address the fact that you sped out of here with the kids?”
“The driver maintained a safe speed.”
I rolled my eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me about Delphine going into Paolo’s dreams?”
“Because I would rather you work with her, instead of trying to kill her the moment you met her.”
I frowned.
“Also, I wasn’t sure, until I saw Paolo’s reaction to her.”
“But you did know Paolo should not go in the garden?”
“I did.”
“Then, why not warn Kaz and me?”
“Because you both needed to learn the lesson on your own.”
“And what is the lesson?”
“Never get too comfortable with Delphine. Be on guard.”
“But do you think she can help me?”
“I do. However, regardless of what she does, it will always be you doing the work. She will be your guide, but you must trust in yourself, Emily.”
I let out a long breath. “Anything else?”
“No.”
“But, you know what’s going to happen?”
“I have theories.”
“Will Kaz, Max, and my boys be safe?”
“Always.”
“Alright then. Tell me about the boys. How are they doing?”
I could almost hear the smile in Baba’s voice as she replied, “Ah, Emily. Little Emilio and Paolo are having quite the adventure in New Orleans.”
I smirked. “When you kidnapped my babies, where did you take them?”
She chuckled. “I cannot kidnap children that are mine.”
I deepened my smirk.
“We spent the day in the French Quarter. Especially Jackson Square. Paolo was entirely enamored with the musicians playing jazz on the corner. He had so much fun, running up to them with dollars and putting the money in their hats. We also ate several sugary beignets that I am sure were very healthy for him.”
I laughed softly. “I’m sure they were so healthy.”
“We returned, and I gave them a bath. Now they are both asleep in the same room while Harlem stands guard in the doorway.”
A pang of longing surged through me. “Sounds like they’re enjoying the city.”
“They are.”
“Do not worry about them while you heal. This is why I came. Baba is here for the babies.”
I placed my view back on Max.
The glow of his blunt brightened. Then, he took one final, long drag before stubbing it out against the tree and heading my way.
Baba spoke, “And never forget that Paolo and Emilio are strong, just like their mother. They will be okay.”
A knot tightened in my chest. “And. . .you don’t have any doubt that I will truly heal here?”
“You are a warrior, a mother, a lover, a fierce friend, and most important. . .you are the Mouse.”
Tension gathered in my shoulders.
“You never lose, Emily. Why would you lose this time?” Her words wrapped around me like a comforting blanket.
I swallowed. “Thank you, Baba.”
“You are welcome.” Her voice shifted to tense. “And. . .tell Max not to eat the gumbo tonight. No matter how good it smells.”
“Why not?”
“Just tell him.”
“What about me?”
“You should drink whatever Delphine gives you, but do not eat anything.”
I blinked. “O-kay.”
My heart hammered in my chest.
“Have an. . .interesting evening, Emily.”
For some reason, that made me shiver. “Goodnight, Baba.”
Max climbed onto the porch and eyed me as I put my phone up. “Who was that, Em?”
“Baba.” I lowered my voice. “She told me to tell you not to eat the gumbo tonight.”
He stared back at me like I was crazy. “Man, I’m not eating or drinking anything here. I’ll motherfucking die of starvation first.”
“Well, Baba said I could drink whatever Delphine gave me.”
“For real?”
“Yeah.”
Sighing, Max shook his head. “This is going to be a shit show tonight.”
“Don’t say that.” I pointed at his pocket. “Anyway. . .I saw your phone kept ringing while you were by the tree smoking.”
He leaned against the railing. “Oh yeah?”
“Yes. Who was that?”
“Wrong number.”
I rolled my eyes. “Why are you bad at lying?”
“I’m not bad at lying, Em. It just isn’t any of your business, so I don’t take the time to come up with an excellent lie.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “It is my business.”
“It isn’t.”
I bit my lip, studying Max’s face. He looked tense and guarded, telling me that he was definitely hiding something from me.
“Max, please.” I moved closer to him. “Talk to me. I want to help you, but I can’t do that if you won’t let me in.”
“Your help would be dripping in blood.”
I frowned.
The screen door creaked open, causing Max and I to turn our heads.
Delphine stood in the doorframe, a shadow against the warm glow of the kitchen light. Her gaze pierced through me. “Dinner’s almost ready.”
Max and I exchanged glances.
Surely, the earlier message from Baba played fresh in our minds. Despite the enticing aroma of herbs and spices wafting from the house, I felt a knot tighten in my stomach.
Max had a similar apprehension lining his face.
“We appreciate it, Delphine.” I did my best to keep my voice steady. “But we’re not hungry.”
She merely tilted her head. An amused smile played on her lips. “Suit yourselves, but come in all the same. There’s more than just food in the kitchen.”
Like what?
“Come on.” She disappeared back into the house.
There was a silence, filled only by the distant song of the crickets and the faint sound of the wind rustling through the trees.
I exchanged another glance with Max. “Everything will be fine.”
His brown eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion. “I got your back, Em.”
“And I have yours.” I pointed at him. “That’s why you can tell me what’s going on.”
“One problem at a time, Em.” With a sigh, he pushed himself off the railing and walked towards the house.
Frowning, I followed suit.
Yet, unease settled deeper into my bones.
What did Delphine have in store?
But more importantly, what was going on with Max? That worried expression, the unanswered calls.
It was a puzzle, one that I knew I had to solve before it was too late.
But for now, I had to focus on the task at hand, whatever Delphine was planning.