Page 69 of Emerald Vices
“The hell they will?—”
“Leif!” I raise my voice. “It’s okay. I’ve agreed to go down to the station. Just do me a favor: cancel my appointment with Misha Remington, will you? Tell him I can’t sign the contract today and send my apologies.”
As far as clues go, it’s pretty lame, but it’s the best I can come up with in the moment. I hope to God they understand.
Leonty is surveilling Harris and Arkady through narrowed eyes while trying to hold fast to Remi’s leash. The dog is straining hard, desperate to get to me.
Without waiting for them to protest, I head out of Sunshield, my heart in tatters. I’m ushered into the back of the police car and the moment I’m inside, the doors lock with an ominous click.
“Let’s have your phone, baby doll.” Harris twists around in the passenger seat and holds out his hand.
Helplessly, I fork over my phone.
I get a glimpse of Leif’s ashen face as the fake cop steers the car away from the pavement. The fake detective is busy punching numbers into his own phone.
“Hey, boss,” he greets as he puts the phone to his ear. “It’s done. We’ve got her.”
27
ANDREY
“How bad is it?”
Vaska sighs and drops into the chair in front of my desk. “It’s depressing, is what it is. I’m informing on the men who are supposed to be my brothers—your men.”
“It’s all depressing, but this is where we’re at. With Slavik making moves, I need to know where loyalties lie.”
Vaska’s knee jumps. “Not gonna lie, boss: there are more than a few men who’ll defect if it comes down to it.”
My fist tightens around the pen in my hand. Slavik abandoned ship over ten years ago and there are still idiots who’re willing to abandon my leadership for his? Have I not done enough for them? Have I not led this Bratva out of the fucking Dark Ages? Have I not provided?
“The rumors are that Slavik never abandoned the Bratva. They think he merely left you in charge in his absence and his seniority overrides the last decade of your rule.” He sighs heavily, hating this every bit as much as I am. “They miss the freedom to do whatever they want.”
I snort. “Meaning Slavik let them off their leashes, but I don’t let them fuck around like they used to.”
“That about sums it up.”
“Blyat’.” I abandon my chair for the window. “Maybe one good thing will come out of this: I can weed out the weak.”
“And if the weak outnumber the rest of us?”
Before I can respond to Vaska’s annoying pessimism, my phone rings. It’s Leif. “Cops,” he grunts in a low voice before I can say a word. “They’re here to question Natalia. Something about that shady motherfucker you got rid of.”
Fuck.
“Are they with her now?”
“Questioning her. I don’t like the look of the detective. They’re talking right now, but, boss?—”
“I’ll be there soon. Keep an eye on them.”
Just before I hang up, I hear a strangled whimper. Was that Remi? Why isn’t he with Natalia?
“Vaska, keep your eyes and ears open. If you hear anything, report it to me or Shura immediately.”
“Got it, pakhan.”
I rush towards my Escalade, determined to get there before the cops are done questioning Natalia. Shura’s just turning into the drive when I start the engine.