Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78587 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78587 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
It was a lot. If I missed one single thing, it could cost us everything. Damn. I should’ve called Viktor. I should’ve handed her over and let him deal with the mess she’d brought to our doorstep, but I was too hard-headed for that.
Instead, I listened.
I questioned, and little by little, I started to care.
That unsettled me more than any of it. I needed to just rip the fucking Band-Aid off and call him. I grabbed my phone, and my finger hovered over Viktor’s name. He would’ve been furious at me for not calling him sooner, and he would have every right to be. But that didn’t stop me from scrolling past his name and onto Preacher’s.
He picked up on the first ring and chuckled, “I was wondering when I’d hear from you.”
“I need a favor.”
“Figured that would be coming. What do you need?”
“Alina left a trail. I need help making it disappear.”
I would’ve had Jenson erase Alina’s trail, but he was busy working on our accounts in the Cayman’s. I didn’t want him distracted, so Shep was my next best option.
Before he had a chance to ask what the hell I was talking about, I added, “I have some security cameras that need to be wiped. Traffic feeds, too. Anything they might use to find out where she went. You think Shep can handle that?”
“He can certainly try. He’s going to need to know exactly where she was and when.”
“I’ve got it all down. I’ll send it over.”
“Anything else?”
“Have him look into Alek Morozov.”
“He the husband?”
“He is.”
“Something tells me he’s a real fucking tool.”
“You have no idea. Grew up with the asshole and never did care for him.”
“Sounds like you already know what you need to know.”
“It’s been almost two years since we left New York. A lot’s changed. I need to know what he’s up to now. Who he’s dealing with and where he stands with the family.” I let out a breath before adding, “I have a contact I can reach out to, but not sure how much he’ll know. Anyone else would be too risky. Last thing I need is any unnecessary attention.”
“Understood. I’ll see what Shep can come up with, and if he doesn’t come up with what you need, we have a Fury chapter in New York. If need be, I can always reach out to them.”
“Good to know. Hopefully, it won’t come to that.”
“You sure about this?”
“It’s too late to have doubts now.”
“We can find somewhere else for her to go. Somewhere they’ll never find her.”
“Hard pass. I said I would help her, and I am.”
“Even if it means war?”
“Even if it means war.”
Preacher didn’t argue. He didn’t try to change my mind. He simply said, “Okay. Good to know where you stand. I’ll get with Shep and let you know what he finds.”
“I appreciate it.”
With that, the line went dead. I sent Preacher the list of locations before tossing my phone down on the desk. I leaned back in my chair, and I found myself thinking about the moment Alina said she’d leave as soon as she could. A spark of determination flashed through her eyes that I hadn’t expected.
I hadn’t expected to like her either. It had been a long time since someone stood up to me. This woman had been through hell. She’d been knocked around and made to feel small, but there was still fire in her.
It was that fire that fueled my need to save her. I wanted to see that fire burn bright and strong, and I didn’t want Alek or anyone else putting it out. It was that thought that had me reaching for my phone. I scrolled through the numbers until I landed on Conrad.
He was one of the few who had been with me and my family since New York. He had been there through it all. Dad. The wars. The death. The turmoil. And he never once considered turning his back on us.
He wasn’t bratva by blood, but he was as close to family as I’ve ever had. He looked out for me and taught me things no one else dared, like how to keep my head when bullets were flying and how to read a man before he ever opened his mouth.
I trusted him more than anyone, even my own flesh and blood, and that was saying something. I knew I could count on him to help me with this mess with Alina. It had been some time since we last spoke, but I hoped he wouldn’t hold it against me.
After ringing several times, he picked up and said, “Well, if it isn’t the Lone Wolf. I was beginning to think you were dead and buried.”
“Sorry to disappoint.”
“How are things with the casino?”
“Better than expected.”
I was tempted to tell him about my concerns with some of the elders who were snooping around, but that wasn’t why I’d called. He sounded genuinely pleased when he said, “That’s good. I’m glad to hear it. Hope to get down there soon and check it out for myself.”