The sharp hiss of a breath precedes the easing of my grip on the cop.
“I’m fine,” I growl in Russian, adjusting my suit jacket lapels and collar as the cop stumbles away, trying to regain his balance.
Pavel slowly releases my arm and steps in front of me as the lead detective closes in on us. My second’s calm is a contradiction to the carnage that just nearly erupted. Clara approaches, hands still bound behind her back, the look on her face fierce.
“The warrant, Detective,” she snaps. “The legal representation for this corporation demands to see the warrant immediately, or every single charge filed after this will be inadmissible.”
The sneer disappears from the detective’s face, which has turned pale, but he recovers quickly. He pulls the thick fold of papersfrom his vest pocket and thrusts it into Pavel’s chest with shaking hands as he glares at Clara.
Pavel opens it, then holds it out for Clara to see, their eyes scanning the legalese. I step closer, breathing deeply, forcing thepakhanback down into his cage.
For now.
The warrant is extensive, detailing violations of state and federalstatutes. It includes wire fraud, money laundering, and most damningly, lists specific dates, amounts, and transaction codes that are known only to a tight few.
The raid isn’t a fishing expedition; it’s a targeted hit.FuckingDetective Johnson wasn’t lying. And Pavel’s face confirms what I already know. The mole isn’t just talking; they’re playing a game of chess, and they’re already twelve steps ahead of us.
The detective’s eyes flick past Pavel to Clara. He holds the glance a second too long, his lips twitching into a small, triumphant smile.
That motherfucker.
This isn’t just about a sting operation or a warrant, nor is it a coincidence that I visited their unit just a few days ago.
This is about Dean. This is Clara’s ex trying to rattle me, trying to show me he’s the bigger, more dominant alpha in this contest of wills and power. I made it clear that I want Clara, and he’s hitting me where it hurts, where I can’t defend myself without compromising everything I’ve built.
He’s making me watch her suffer the consequences of my actions while challenging me at the same time: Protect her or protect your empire.
Fuck.
I look at Clara again. She meets my gaze, and I give her a subtle nod. She returns the gesture before looking back to the detective.
“We will allow the detention and search. But the Smirnov Corporation legal representation will be reading every page ofthiswarrant, and the search ends the moment you secure the designated evidence. If you touch anything not specified in the warrant, you will feel the full weight of Smirnov Corporation’s legal team. I’m sure you can comprehend exactly what that means and what you’ll be up against. Do you understand, Detective?”
I can’t take my eyes away from Clara, the way she’s standing up to a man who is twice her size, not to mention mean, nasty, and on a power trip. Her expression is set, hereyes fearless.
The detective swallows hard, his bravado wavering in the face of the cold, legal threat.
“I understand,” he mutters, glaring at her, then waving his team on. “Get them out of here. Start the search.”
He turns on his heels, his back to Clara. A new officer grips Clara’s shoulder to lead her away. As she’s escorted down the hall, she looks back, our eyes locking one more time across the chaos. She is not frightened, she is waiting to see what I will do next, how I will react.
Pavel moves to my side, his shoulder nearly touching mine. “This is far worse than we thought. The mole has been operating for longer than we know.”
“It certainly seems that way,” I say through clenched teeth.
My rage is gone, replaced by deadly, frigid calculation.
I stand there among the police officers who are beginning to dismantle my company, among the sobbing employees being led away, among the papers covering the floor. The office is ruined, my business and myBratva compromised.
I feel a resolved, singular focus. The mole is actively trying to bring me down, and Dean Johnson hasissuedthe challenge. He has shown me that the one woman I want, the only woman who can shatter my control, is now his weapon to use against me.
“Pavel, when this is done, find the mole,” I order, my voice cold as steel, as uncertain police officers approach us.
I’m going to make the mole’s life a living hell when I get my hands on them. And I’m going to teach Detective Dean Johnson precisely what happens when you try to take what belongs to thepakhanof the Smirnov Bratva.
My gaze moves to Clara’s empty office, the computer screen still glowing, as if she’ll return at any moment, a moment that is seared into my mind.
Detective Johnson thinks he can rattle me. He believes he canuseher. Little does he know he has just signed his own death warrant, because the beast has been released.
