Page 93 of Maksim

“It’s sensitive information.” He looks over his shoulder at Anya’s room like he can sense someone listening in on our conversation. He’s probably right.

“Outside.” I jut my chin and lead him through my house and out my front door. When we’re free of eavesdroppers, he turns to me and tucks his hands in his pockets, about to drop news that holds zero importance for him.

“The wife of the trafficker you had me look over wired seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars to a Swiss bank account early this morning.”

“Whose bank account?” I ask, knowing he has no answer.

She isn’t wiring seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars to a Swiss cousin short on cash. She’s paying for a service. An illegal service.

A hit. More likely three. And there happen to be three people living in my house.

He lifts a shoulder while I run a hand down my face and sigh. Shit.

“I can do some more digging into this, but I thought it would be best to get this to you as soon as possible.”

“Just kill her,” I say, dropping my hand to my side. “Find out who she hired to do the hit before you finish it.”

“Of course, sir.” He nods, expressionless. “Should I inform the Pakhan that you’ll be staying at his residence for safety concerns?”

“Jesus, no,” I spit. I would never put my sister nor Elira’s lives in danger. But Nikita’s house is not what I would call safety.

“We’ll go to Hugh’s. Set up a patrol. Two cars should be plenty.”

“Yes, sir.” He turns to walk away but hesitates.

“What?”

He spins to face me again. “I just want to point out a possible alternative. The wife mentioned her interest in your whore’s family before. She could’ve placed the hit on them instead of you.”

I roll my eyes. “They’re in Albania, Alik.”

“She isn’t flying there herself. She’s paying someone to do it.”

I want to dismiss it as easily as I did the first time he brought this up, but my stomach flips.

I am a lieutenant in the Petrov Bratva. Killing me has consequences.

Killing a family in Albania… Not as many. If someone didn’t know any better, they’d think there would be none.

Revenge is a powerful thing. People do all kinds of things for revenge.

But it’s Elira she wants… Right?

I don’t know anymore, but I shouldn’t dismiss it so easily. They’re her family. They’re as important as Anya.

“Find someone in Albania to take the family to a secure location.”

“Find someone in Albania?” His brow raises.

“I don’t care how you do it, just do it.”

I turn around and grip the door handle, but before I pull it open, a pair of caramel eyes hiding behind a bush steals my breath.

25

ELIRA

The demon leaves before Maksim so much as blinks.