Page 41 of The Bratva's Secret Baby

“One of the guys we put on the beat confirmed that none of the money Eric stole went to the police. So where did all the money go? Obviously to whoever he was working for.”

My nostrils flared. “That means whoever sent him to infiltrate the organization benefited from him.”

“I think so too, and there’s also a clear motive for his death. When they found out that we caught Eric, they killed him, because they knew that we could and would find out the truth of what was going on and who was behind it all. They were afraid.”

Right. That made sense. I ran my fingers over my jaw, wondering if this had anything to do with the attack on me, on us, two days ago.

And more importantly, was I the target of that afternoon's ambush? If someone wanted to kill me, surely, they would have done so while I was alone. In the hours I waited for Rosanne outside the courtroom, they had a clear chance to take me out. Why would they attack when I was with her, of all people?

There was only one reason I could think of: I was never the target of the attack, it was Rosanne. It had to be someone who knew she would do anything to find her brother’s killer and someone who knew she was about to find out that The Circle didn’t have a hand in her brother’s death.

“Is there anyone you can think of?”

Fyodor shook his head. “Nyet [No], boss.”

“Check out all the police employees and see if you can find anything suspicious about them.” “Da [yes], boss.”

“One more thing: send someone to keep an eye on Rosanne and Kaity.” I pressed my thumb against my temple. “Make sure she doesn’t realize she’s being watched. If those fuckers attacked her once, they’ll try again.”

Fedor nodded. “Sure, boss.”

“Where’s Andrei?” I asked.

“At the port.”

“He should go over to watch her.” Rosanne and Kaity were my entire world now, and Andrei was the only person I could trust. Just as with me, I was sure he would put his life on the line to save them both if necessary.

There was silence in the car for a moment as we both racked our brains for more questions and answers. Then I realized that I had overlooked an important piece of the puzzle.

If Eric did work under someone, that person could either lead us to the culprit or be one himself.

“Find out who the detective in charge of the operation was.”

Fyodor stopped in front of the entrance to my house and turned off the engine. “I know who he is, and you know him too.”

“Who is he?”

Fyodor turned his head in my direction. “It’s the same policeman who hangs around the organization.”

I could think of only one cop, Kendrick Smith.

Chapter Eighteen

Rosanne

It was after ten o'clock in the evening when I looked at the clock for the hundredth time that night.

Sighing, I looked out the living room window at the bed of stars twinkling in the pitch-black sky.

Four hours had passed since Damien had scurried out of the apartment, and I was confused and curious as to what was going on. I had tried to reach him an hour earlier, but he didn’t answer his phone and I didn’t have Fyodor’s number. I just hoped he was okay.

I let out another sigh as I made myself comfortable on the sofa and stared at a stack of folders and papers on the coffee table in front of me.

It was Thursday night, and as much as I would have loved to curl up on the sofa with Damien to talk —though he didn’t seem like the type to enjoy that sort of thing—I had a big case tomorrow, and I needed to prepare for it.

I leaned forward, picked up one of the files, and flipped it open. My eyes skimmed the letters, but my mind kept wandering, worrying about Damien. Whatever he had left in such a hurry for, it seemed serious.

Jesus. I hope he’s all right.