She plugs a flash drive to the laptop and opens the messaging app, scrolling through the conversation thread between Dmitri and Adrian. My hands shake as I take the phone from her.
The messages reveal that Dmitri has been secretly working with Adrian, feeding him sensitive information about Maxim’s operations in exchange for a share of the profits.
More horrifyingly, Dmitri provided details about the wedding, including the location and security arrangements, and helped plan the attack on the private island.
The messages make it clear that the wedding ambush was orchestrated by Dmitri, and that he even approved targeting the bride.
“He’s the mole,” I whisper, voice breaking. “He told Adrian everything. The wedding location… he gave it to them. He tried to have me killed.”
Milana pats my shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Calina.”
I stare at the screen, my mind reeling. Maxim trusts Dmitri with his life. He pulled him off the streets, gave him a family, a purpose.
How is he supposed to handle this betrayal? The heartbreak it will cause him… I can already feel it like a knife in my own chest.
A part of me had still hoped I was wrong. That my gut feeling was just paranoia. But this is undeniable. I can’t keep this from Maxim any longer.
Maxim
It’s been a long, exhausting day.
Meetings, organizing shipments, dealing with the fallout from the wedding attack, and on top of everything, I’m still furious about Dmitri losing his work phone.
The headache that’s been plaguing me these past few days is back in full force, pounding behind my eyes like a hammer.
I walk into the bedroom, when I hear the sound of the hair dryer blowing in the bathroom. Calina must be finishing up.
I head to her bedside drawer to grab the medication she gave me last time. I’m not even sure if the pills helped or if it was her massage, but at this point I’ll try anything. Maybe I can convince her to give me a massage later.
I open the drawer and pop two tablets into my mouth, swallowing them dry. As I’m putting the bottle back, something catches my eye.
A flash drive.
And right beside it… a phone.
It looks eerily similar to the encrypted work phones my men and I use. Sleek, black, unbranded.
My blood runs cold.
What the hell is my wife doing with a burner phone and a flash drive hidden in her drawer?
I pick both items up, turning them over in my hands, my mind racing with possibilities. None of them are good.
Just then, the bathroom door opens. Calina steps out in a silk robe, her hair still slightly damp. She smiles at first when she sees me.
“You’re back?—”
Her eyes land on the phone and flash drive in my hand. Her face goes pale instantly.
“Maxim…” she breathes, voice shaky.
I stare at her, my jaw tight. The headache suddenly feels ten times worse.
“Explain,” I say, my voice low and dangerous. “Right now. Because I would very much like to know what the fuck my wife is doing with a hidden phone and a flash drive.”
She looks like a deer caught in headlights, mouth opening and closing without sound. The guilt on her face is unmistakable.
I take a step closer, holding the phone up between us. “Start talking, Calina.”
