Page 38 of Stolen Wife

“No. I was set up. I’m not in that line of work. Dimitri did his best and worked with my people to get my freedom. I owed him so much, but I might have put him in the way. I’m sorry.”

“Do you have any evidence of that?”

“I received this text right after the shooting.” I pull my phone out of my pants pocket and bring up the messages.

He reads it and then passes it to the other guys. “I’m not sure it was my enemies, but whoever they are, they are my enemies now.”

“Oh goodness.” We all turn to see my mother standing there. “I thought you let those other two in.” She has her hand pressed to her chest.

I walk to her, giving her a quick, reassuring hug. “Never, Mother. They’ll take you over my dead body.”

“So who are they?” She crosses her arms.

“Unfortunately, the reason I was at the police station was because my lawyer was shot. His family arrived from Russia.”

She clasps her hands to her mouth. “Really? Oh my goodness. I’m terribly sorry. Is he alive?”

“Thank you,” Bykov says with a nod. “I hope he survives.”

“When can we prepare to see him? We wish to take him back home as soon as he’s recovered.”

“It’s something you have to speak to the police about. They will need a bunch of shit from you before he will be released if he pulls through.”

“Very well. Can you give me the information for the hospital? I’d love to check on him.”

“Sure. I need to see Dimitri soon, but I don’t want to be the reason they make a second attempt.” I text it to him. “They won’t.” He stands up and says, “We will be staying at the Plaza. Can you inform the authorities to contact me?”

He takes his leave with the rest of his men. “That man looks like he’s about your age. I’m sorry about your lawyer.”

“Me too. Come, let’s eat some lunch and then relax for a bit.”