Could Dmitri be the mole?
The thought makes my stomach twist. Maxim trusts him with his life. He told me how he pulled both Dmitri and Viktor off the streets, how they grew up together in that harsh world.
I saw the look in Maxim’s eyes when he spoke about them, real loyalty, almost brotherly love. If I bring this up again after what happened last time, I might ruin the fragile peace we’ve found.
But what if I’m right?
If Dmitri really is working against Maxim, I need to know before I say anything. I need proof.
The question is… how?
How do I investigate someone as close to Maxim as Dmitri without getting caught myself?
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Calina
All through the night, sleep evaded me.
I lie beside Maxim, listening to his steady breathing while my mind races.
And by the time the first light of dawn creeps through the curtains, I have come up with a plan. Risky, maybe even foolish, but I can’t just sit back and do nothing.
If Dmitri is the mole, I need to know before he can do more damage.
Maxim and I start the morning in the most delicious way possible, his head between my thighs until I am shaking, then him on top of me, deep and slow, and finally me riding him until we both come undone.
He takes me in so many positions I lose count, wringing pleasure from my body until I am breathless and mindless.
Even now, hours later, I can still feel the pleasant ache between my legs.
Currently, Maxim is outside in the gym by the pool, working out with Dmitri and Viktor. The sound of weights and low conversation drifts through the open windows.
I reach out to Milana and ask her to come over. She agrees without hesitation. I'm going over the plan in my head when the maid ushers Milana in, my sister looks equal parts concerned and curious.
“Calina, what was so urgent that you asked me to come over?” she asks.
I grab her hand and quickly pull her away from the earshot of her bodyguard and the other men lingering nearby. I lead her down the hallway, far enough that no one can overhear us, then turn to face her.
“I need you to do something for me,” I say, keeping my voice low. “Something important… and it has to stay between us.”
Milana’s eyes widen slightly, but she nods, squeezing my hand. “Tell me.”
A maid walks past us carrying a laundry basket, greeting us as she passes.
“Come with me.”
I pull Milana into our bedroom and quickly close the door behind us, making sure we’re completely alone.
“Calina, what is going on? You're scaring me.”
My heart is racing as I turn to face her. “I need you to steal Dmitri’s phone,” I say without preamble.
Her eyes widen in shock. “What? Why? How am I supposed to steal Dmitri’s phone? What for?”
She looks completely confused, almost alarmed. I take a deep breath and tell her everything, how I overheard him on a hushed call last night, the strange way he acted when he caught me listening, and my growing suspicion that he might be the mole.
Milana stares at me for a long moment. “That’s very risky, Calina. For all you know, he was just making a legitimate work call. Why would you suddenly suspect Dmitri of all people?”
