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“Who do the fingers belong to?”
“Don’t know that yet, but I’m working on it. My guess would be some other fed. The way my guy reacted, he seemed upset like he’d been negotiating with Burian for a while or something. Like he knew where they came from.”
“What’s this guy’s name?”
“Cover name is Craig Hicks. Real name is Pete Little.”
“Hicks? Hold on a second. I recognize that.” The sound of Carmine typing away. I take the opportunity to get myself a whiskey. When I’m finished, he sucks in a sharp breath. “Well, no shit.”
“What’d you find?”
“We keep lists of people. Craig’s on one of them. It’s a weird name, especially involved with this crew, which is why it stands out.”
I lean my forehead against the glass, eyes closed. “Details, my brother.”
“Craig is allegedly part of the Kuzmin Bratva.”
I let that sink in. The threads come together in a tight knot. “Burian’s killing undercover fed agents.”
“One’s embedded in the Bratva, if I had to guess.”
“They must’ve hired him to root them out.” I curse to myself, shaking my head. “I should’ve seen this sooner. I bet our first victim was running the same game.”
“Without a name, I can’t help.”
“Peirce Queiros. But it’s fine. You’ve helped enough already.” I finish my drink, turning back to the bedroom. Back toward Renata. “You meant what you said? About being a better man?”
“Absolutely. If you feel something for this girl, take it seriously. Don’t run off to some other adventure when this is over. Give it a chance.”
“That’s what I always do though.” I pause in the bedroom doorway. A triangle of light from outside cuts across Renata’s sleeping form. “Maybe I’ve been wrong.”
“Give it a shot. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Goodnight, Carmine.” I hang up the phone. I walk over, hovering next to the bed, watching her sleep.
Beautiful Renata. So much could still go wrong. Can I really keep dragging her through this? Even for three million dollars?
Could I really be a better man?
After all these years, after all I’ve done, I don’t think there’s salvation for me at the end. Not even Renata could fix my bruised and battered soul.
But could I try anyway?
I climb into bed. She stirs slightly. “Everything okay?” she mutters, half-awake.
“Everything’s fine.” I wrap my arms around her.
Chapter21
Renata
I’m still freaked the heck out about the fingers, but at least they’re not making me melt down with panic.
The sex helped.
As much as I hate to admit that, but getting fucked mindless by Lanzo really did the trick.
He tells me about the feds over coffee. “Undercover with a Bratva?” I ask, frowning over my mug. “Wait, sorry, what the hell is a Bratva?”
