Page 82 of Bound By A Promise

“Right before Mia and I were married, May of this year.”

“It was about that same time that Mrs. Goodin’s influencer gig took off. She went big in record time.”

“I don’t understand,” he said. “People like true crime.”

“Influencers make their money in a variety of ways, commission through unique links, sponsored content, and ads. Jennifer had been at the whole influencer thing for over a year, but about the time you bought your house, she was targeted by some big money sponsors. At first, they looked legitimate, but as Lorenzo dug, he realized the money was coming from the same source.”

“The LLC?”

“Exactly. The new sponsorship increased her visibility. It wasn’t entirely responsible for her success, but it played a big role in getting her in the spotlight.”

Aléjandro’s forehead furrowed. “Get to the point.”

“Lorenzo connected the money to Ivan Kozlov.”

“Fuck. Not Herrera.”

I shook my head. “Kozlov knows where you live.”

“She was reporting on his bratva in her podcasts.”

“Yeah, I bet he didn’t see that coming.”

The figurative wheels were turning in Aléjandro’s head. “He lured them away and set up the computer system in the house next door.” My brother-in-law stood. “Fucking next door to me.”

“That’s shut down, but Silas needs to fortify your security.”

“Why go to all that trouble, be ready with a sharpshooter, and send in the big guns at the same time?”

“He wouldn’t. It’s not the way the bratva works. They work more covertly. In my opinion, you were attacked on two different fronts that night. Kozlov’s man was next door when the attack came on you and Reinaldo.”

“Brazen,” he said.

“We still don’t have proof, but my money is on Herrera. He would benefit from the Roríguez cartel looking weak.”

“We’re not weak.”

“Fuck no. Instead of surrendering or faltering, you went on, business as usual. You even married another of your princessesoff to the famiglia. Nothing in that says weak. And the marriage shows the alliance is as strong as ever.”

My phone vibrated. I looked at the screen. “I need to take this call.” I walked into the back office and shut the door. Standing at the windows, I spoke. “Are you calling to tell me we’re in for another raid?”

The informant spoke. “No. I thought you might want to know who reported Emerald Club.”

“You have a name?”

“Valuable information, if you ask me.”

I gripped the phone tighter. “You’ve already proven your worth. You know I’m good for it.”

“Word on the street is that you’re doing business with a cartel.”

“What does that have to do with who reported Emerald Club?”

“If you ask me, you’ve been double-crossed.”

“You have a name?” I asked.

“Juan Garcia.”