“Grisha’s house is falling soon. It’s been under the investigation of both the Canadian and Russian governments, and they are dismantling the entire thing, making arrests and seizing all assets in the next few days.”
They all exchanged shocked looks.
I handed them each a plane ticket and enough cash to keep them going for six months. “I was responsible for providing records to the Canadian government of everything that happened. I made sure there was no record of any of you working for Grisha. As far as both governments are concerned, they have little to no proof that you ever worked for him. I’d advise you all to get on your flight and disappear once you get home.”
No one spoke, but no one got out of the van either.
Maksim finally found his voice. “Are you a cop?”
Our eyes met.
I took a deep breath and spoke the truth. “Yes. I’ve been undercover for more than three years.”
Damn. It felt good to finally say that out loud.
“And you’re protecting us?”
How could I explain how complicated all of this had become for me? I had watched them work tirelessly to protect Mila from real danger, and they had never used their power or weapons to harm others. They weren’t bad men, and they didn’t deserve the same fate as Grisha and Sergei. Did that mean they deserved complete freedom? Maybe not, but that was the choice I’d made for them. It didn’t all make sense in my mind, so I was pretty sure it would never make sense to them either. I had started my journey as a cop, believing that I was doing noble work and that the world was painted in black and white. But over time I hadseen the shades of gray. It wasn’t my place to judge, but I didn’t think the world would benefit by throwing any of these men behind bars. They weren’t looking to harm this world. They had simply been looking for a way to make money.
“There are good and bad men on both sides,” I said finally.
Maksim offered me his hand. While I shook hands with him, he looked me square in the eyes and said, “You’re one of the good ones.”
I shook my head. “Not so sure about that.”
Oleg spoke from the back seat. “What about Mila?”
“She’s been given immunity, and she’ll be protected.”
Anton found his voice. “Does she know you’re a cop?”
Shame washed over me. I had deceived her as much as I had these men. “You should go catch your flights.”
Yuri: Call me immediately
I put my phone in my pocket. Ever since Yuri had landed in Canada, things had been escalating. It was only a matter of time before we started a raid that would end up in dozens of arrests and the seizure of illegal goods worth millions.
I watched in silence as they unloaded their bags and the dogs from the van.
I wasn’t surprised when Oleg and Anton stopped in front of me. “Can you tell Mila goodbye for us?”
I nodded solemnly. “I will.”
“Take care of her.”
“I will.” My promise sounded hollow. I wasn’t sure she’d want anything to do with me once she found out the truth about our marriage.
“Tell her I would’ve said goodbye if I had known.”
“She’ll understand.”
And then they picked up their bags and disappeared into the airport.
It was nearing 8 a.m.,and I was heading to the docks. I wasn’t sure how I would explain to anyone why five of my men had gone missing, but I was prepared to pretend I had no idea.
Yuri called. “Where are you?”
“On my way to the docks, why?”
