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I let that sit between us, and his eyes widen as what I’ve said sinks in.

“W-w-why?”

“We’ll get to that. All you need to know is that we’re going to take him down, and we’re going to make sure he never knows a fucking thing about it. We are going to implode one of the biggest networks in the entire world.

“So, I’m going to leave you be for the rest of the night, but I’ll be back when I have a few things figured out, and we’ll plan. And while I expect that you’ll try to kill me when I do, just to prove a point, I’ll caution you about pissing me off before we begin. We’re going to be working together for a long time.”

I slide off the bed and crouch beside him. He tries to lift his arm, but it falls back to the floor. “Don’t make me regret this, Mishka. I don’t work with others for a reason, but I know what you want. I know you want to go home and take down your father and brother. When this is over, I’ll make sure you do that and you can have what’s rightfully yours as long as you play by my rules and help me do this. Get in my way, and all of it will burn right alongside you. Including your wife.”

The mention of Rayea Antonova gets a reaction. His eyes darken and his jaw tics. She is a weakness for him. Not because he loves her in a romantic sense, but because he feels responsible for her.

It’s a weakness he needs to get the hell over.

“Now that we understand each other, I’ll see you soon.”

Walking out of the room, I don’t bother to hide myself. My eyes find the camera hidden in the shadows above the door directly across the hall.

The Bratva Butcher’s days are numbered, and I’ll be the one to take him down. Let him be pissed at me for going after his pet. Or should I say son-in-law?

11

ILYA

“This arrived for you. We’ve scanned it, but nothing was found to be out of the ordinary,” Oleg states. “I had Freya sniff it too, but all she did was wag her tail.”

The envelope is small, with a red seal. Indistinct but old-fashioned, and something I haven’t seen in a very long time.

I already know it’s from her. The same buzz in my veins thrums as I stare at the envelope sitting in front of me on my desk. “Where was it found?”

Oleg and Zakhar share an uneasy look, their lips thinning. I arch a brow, waiting. Where it was, it’s not somewhere they’re happy about.

Finally, Zakhar bites out, “She got into your fucking bedroom, Ilya. This fucking bitch got onto the grounds, into your room, left the note, and then tripped the sensor, but blocked the cameras. No trace or sign of her.”

“She was able to get past our security so easily?” I pin them with a cold stare. “What are you missing?”

Oleg stiffens, but Zakhar glares and snaps, “We have tripled guards, tripled dogs, everything. I’ve had our IT people searching through every single person’s background, right down to the times they take a shit. No stones unturned.”

“And who have you had checking on our IT people to ensure they aren’t fucking us over?”

“I’ve got a contact in Russia, one of the best out there and one I trust fully, monitoring them. He’s found nothing.”

“And he’s on our payroll?”

“No, they’re freelance. I don’t know their real name or their sex. We communicate through a secure server only. Nothing has popped up other than the normal. A few drinking problems, and a few that dabble in some gambling, but nothing that ties back to anyone who might be a problem.”

“Then how do you explain her getting in?”

“The only explanation is that she’s gotten in with the staff. She’s got disguises; maybe she figured out a way to fake a background and get in.”

“Our men are trained to be suspicious of everyone,” Zakhar argues. “No fucking way they’re not going to notice a new staff member.”

“I want every single staff member questioned,” I order. “I don’t fucking care if they’ve been with us for years, question them. Anyone you find lying, bring them to me.” I look at Oleg. “And have your contact search through all of them again. No stone unturned. Someone has betrayed me, letting this woman inside, and they will pay.”

They nod.

“What does the note say?” Zakhar asks.

I break the seal, carefully opening the letter. I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t a picture taped with the note underneath.