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Realizing I was still watching him, Rafael swallowed down the soup and edged back. “Honestly, I did not think you would jump into the pit. I assumed you would wait on the other side, knowing that. . .clearly, I was going to take your men to the platform to get the jar.”
I bared my teeth. “Why would I think that?”
“Because I told you that I had your back.”
Idiot.
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.
