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“Look, I did further investigation on Eddie Falco. He was on the take from someone. At least that’s what his bank account indicates,” Diego admitted.
Sighing, I played back the way I’d determined Eddie was the leak in my mind. While a dark web existed for criminals determined to extort or blackmail wealthy corporations and governments, no such source existed for mercenaries and hired assassins. However, that didn’t mean there wasn’t the usual rumor mill that harbored warnings and threats. The single text, a warning to watch my back that I’d received, had been my first realization that I’d been compromised to any degree. What had surprised me was that the Bratva hadn’t already learned of the information flow.
That should have been my first red flag. It was possible Eddie had been nothing more than a conduit in an attempt to lead me into a trap. While I’d come out with excess baggage as well as my life, that also had left the gate open, allowing for the breach on my property. Or had the assassins been hired as bait just to test my security system? It wasn’t unheard of.
“Yet he helped his best friend’s daughter. I find that an interesting shift in his slide into corruption,” I said absently.
“His greed outweighed his responsibility to do the right thing. It happens all the time.”
Nodding, I was suddenly looking forward to the call with the oligarch. It could prove to be very interesting.
“By the way, Alexei called me before you demanded this ridiculous scrutiny. He’s been trying to contact you.”
“I’ll call him when I’m good and ready.”
“Well, he seemed to think you might want to hear what he has to say.”
“The Russian is an arrogant prick.”
“I might say the same about you.”
I rubbed my hand on my jeans then grabbed the cooler. “Are you spoiling for a fight, my friend?”
“You don’t need a reason.” As Aziza roared, Diego shot her a look. “Can we finish this conversation in what’s left of your office?”
I laughed softly. “Afraid of animals?”
“Yeah,” he huffed as he returned to the truck. “The human kind.”
The man had a way with words.
* * *
“You need to watch your back.”
Alexei didn’t usually mince words, which was the single reason I had no issue doing business with him. Wasting time wasn’t allowed in my world. I did find his choice of words in his warning interesting. “They’re badmouthing me already?” I paced my office, taking a quick glance at my watch. The call with Ovachov was in exactly three hours from now.
Diego stood with his arms folded, his jaw clenched. While he’d never met a member of the Kozlov family, he’d heard and read enough to continuously warn me that they were nothing more than bottom feeders. What he often forgot was that I trusted almost no one, including the Colombian. While he’d never betrayed me, as he’d mentioned on more than one occasion, everyone had a price to sell their soul, women included.
“Let’s just say I managed to round up a couple assholes who were prepared to sell your name to the highest bidder.” Alexei almost sounded perturbed that he couldn’t slit their throats himself.
“Which makes me even more curious. How the fuck did they get my name?” I was calmer than before, my rage shifting to a more damning quality.
Absolute quiet.
“I can’t answer that,” Alexei huffed.
“Did they have a connection to Falco?”
“Not that I could determine. Here’s the thing you need to know. They’re Russians and not from my territory.”
“Russians?” An immediate bad chord struck in my mind.
“Thugs, but nonetheless, they were definitely sent here with a single purpose in mind.”
I took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds as another wave of bloodlust popped into my mind. “Where are they?”
“For now, they’re in wet storage, but their future depends on what you want to do.”
