Page 25 of Daddies of the Underworld

Good.

Let them distract and soothe. They were good at that. Me? I was going to find out why Viktor knew her name.

I barged into the security room on the east wing, yanking the top two buttons open on my shirt and ripping my jacket off before I settled in the chair in front of all the monitors covering the entire wall.

Carlo looked up from his station and paled. “That’s a fuck me face if I’ve ever seen one. And I’ve seen a lot.”

Yeah, no kidding. “Pull all the footage you have of Viktor Orlov from the moment he pulled up on the property.”

Carlo spun around, fingers firing over the keyboards. “Yes, sir.”

“Every camera. Every corridor. I want to know every single step that motherfucker took.” I didn’t have to explain myself, but it felt good to let out a fraction of my tension.

Carlo nodded in time with my words, never once missing a keystroke. The center screen filled with footage from the west gate as Viktor’s car rolled in.

Black Mercedes.

Two men in front and Viktor in the back with a woman I didn’t recognize.

He probably thought the tinted windows would save him from my scrutiny. “Names.” I drummed my fingers on the edge of the desk while Carlo worked.

He opened another screen. “Driver is Alexi Romoz. He’s a confirmed Orlov employee, along with Pavel Sokolov. They both work security. The woman is listed as his interpreter, Evana Vaselli.” He frowned and clicked again. “That information has been verified by our team.”

The footage played out, and I leaned forward to absorb every second. “Back it up.”

Carlo did. There. A split second as Viktor’s attention moved over the terrace and paused on Matteo, then shifted to Luca and finally Nina. Most men would miss the slight misstep when Viktor’s foot lifted toward the first step leading to the front door but hesitated.

The door opened behind me, Luca walking in with his bowtie hanging loose and his humor gone. “Matteo is taking her upstairs. Did you find anything?”

I pointed at the screen, then had Carlo play it in slow motion as I walked him through what I’d seen.

Luca watched it twice, then dragged a hand over his mouth. “Merda. I hate when you’re right.”

“Only when it infringes on your good humor.” I gave the line with a deadpan expression. Luca might be the king of sarcasm and wit, but he’d taught me a few things over the years.

“And when a bastard like Viktor stares at our girl.” Luca thumped a hand against my spine.

Our girl. My lips parted but I didn’t have the breath to correct him.

Carlo’s fingers stilled for a heartbeat, but he kept his focus straight ahead before the clack of keys resumed.

I pointed at the screen. “Track his people. All of them. I want eyes on at all times.”

“Nina’s going to want answers.” Luca propped a hip against the desk. “She was trying to hide it, but she was close to shaking apart. She needs comfort.”

I gave him a look that caused him to roll his eyes.

“Right. I’ll handle comfort.” He walked out, no doubt to find Matteo and Nina.

I stayed with Carlo until the gala ended and the villa turned quiet. We reviewed security footage, discussed possible areas of weakness, and set up a rotation to keep an eye on Viktor’s people.

By two in the morning, I was sleep deprived and angry. We had no proof. Nothing that explained Viktor calling out Nina.

At six, I stood and stretched, dismissing Carlo for the next shift to take over.

Once I’d gotten them up to speed, I headed up to Nina’s room, where her guards remained awake enough to watch me warily as I approached. This was why they’d been assigned to Nina. “She up?”

The taller of the two nodded. “Yes, sir. Breakfast was sent up an hour ago.”