Page 84 of Crimson Love

“For the most part.” Bella turns to us. “He’s not quite done, but he has learned that your father moved to Fort Myers right after he abandoned you. He has not curtailed his gambling addiction and works as a manager at a casino—a seedy one at that. If the internet does its thing and makes things look better than their reality, then I’d say it’s probably a step down from seedy. Ozzy is focusing on it.”

“Focusing,” Devon mutters. “Don’t let the agents hear you say that. We know what that means.”

“What does that mean?” Lennon asks.

Bella smiles. “It means we’re using our creativity for the common good.”

Cole shrugs like it’s no skin off his back. “It means they’re breaking into Petrov and your father’s systems through the dark web. These guys get to do the fun shit without Uncle Sam breathing down their necks.”

Lennon’s eyes widen at the mention of the dark web.

Harlow looks from her cell to Lennon and me. She’s been reading financial reports and studying spreadsheets for the meeting tomorrow. “Don’t worry. It freaked me out at first, too, but you’ll get used to it.”

No one else in the room seems to be bothered by it. My new possessive personality sure doesn’t give a shit. I’m for anything that takes down Reed and Petrov so Lennon can breathe easy and focus on moving forward.

With me.

Bella continues with what she learned from Ozzy. “King and Brax are doing surveillance outside the motel. If Petrov or your father leave or have visitors, we’ll know immediately. We do know from Petrov’s cellular activity that he has collectors so hot on his arse, he might as well be swimming in a pool of lava. His client from South America doesn’t care about money. He wants his jewels back that he offered up as collateral. Despite how cool and calm Petrov appeared to be at your little get-together last night, he is anything but. And when you do business with the devil, the repercussion of failing on a debt is deadly. It seems Andrei Petrov is on the run for the first time in his life. Serves him right.”

Devon doesn’t look up from his report and mutters, “Rat bastard.”

“Indeed,” Bella agrees.

“That’s one way to describe him,” Lennon drawls.

I flip back to the other file that I skimmed and start at the beginning. “Did you all see the account with Lennon’s name on it? It’s managed through a Caribbean bank.”

Devon looks up at Lennon. “Did you know about that?”

Lennon shakes her head. “No. I wasn’t allowed online during that time. I read the same books over and over again just for something to do.”

I click into the account and turn the tablet to Lennon. “Is this the last four of your social?”

She skims the screen and nods before her eyes widen. “Yes. Holy crap. I wish that was my bank balance.”

“It’s your name and social. In my book, that means it’s yours.” I click into the ledger of the account and start to scroll through the balance. “Looks like there were deposits every month. Not healthy ones, but a deposit nonetheless.”

Lennon studies the ledger and frowns. “When did they start?”

“I’ll give you one bet,” Cole announces. “My guess? Six years ago.”

“Hmm.” Bella contemplates the news of a bank account that I had no clue about. “I bet they were trying to cover their arses in case something like this happened.”

I lean back to stretch my arm behind Lennon. “They kept saying yesterday that Lennon worked for Petrov, like they were doing her a favor.”

Lennon stiffens beside me and sits up straight. “They fake paid me all those years to pretend I actually worked for them by choice?”

“I’m sorry, but it looks like it,” I say.

Bella stands and moves to the chair on the other side of the sofa closer to Lennon. “I don’t want you to worry, but between the bank account and the surveillance video, what do you think about retaining counsel ... if they ever try to go public with this? I don’t think any court in the country would charge you after hearing your story, but I wonder if it would be a good idea, just in case. Take it from someone who was framed for something I didn’t do.”

The color drains from Lennon’s face. “Do you really think I could be charged with murder?”

I pull her to my side. “It was self-defense. But if that video ever gets out, there will be an investigation. It might put you at ease knowing you’re ahead of the game.”

“Lawyers.” Cole rolls his eyes. “They can really fuck shit up at times. But a good one is worth it. You might consider it. The only person smarter than me is my wife.”

Lennon starts to stress. “But I don’t know a lawyer, let alone have one.”