“This is reckless,” I say.
Dmitri turns his focus to me. “You disagree with my assessment?”
“I disagree with inviting a potential threat into our home.”
“He saved your life tonight.”
“He also lied about who he is and what he’s doing in Moscow.”
“Most people lie, Sasha. At least Tony is interesting while he does it.” Dmitri closes the folder and slides it across the desk toward Boris.
“Dig deeper. I want to know everything about him. Where he’s staying, who he’s talked to since arriving in Moscow, and what he eats for breakfast. If he’s working for someone, I want to know who.”
Boris takes the folder, but doesn’t look happy about it. “And if I find proof he’s investigating us?”
“Then we’ll deal with him accordingly.” Dmitri’s tone makes it clear what that means. “Until then, I want him brought in under the guise of cooperation.”
“Cooperation for what?” I ask.
“Security consultation. We’ll tell him we’re concerned about the gallery attack and want his military expertise on potential threats. We’ll pay him consulting fees and give him access to certain operations. Nothing sensitive, but enough to make him feel trusted.”
Boris shakes his head. “This could backfire spectacularly.”
“It could,” Dmitri agrees, “but right now, we need information more than we need caution. Someone orchestrated that gallery attack. Someone knows Sasha’s schedule and movements. I want to know who, and I think Tony Haugh might be our best path to finding out.”
The room falls quiet. I see Boris weighing risks and potential outcomes the same way he has for twenty years. Finally, he stands.
“I’ll have a full background report by tomorrow morning,” he declares.
“Good. And Boris? Be thorough.”
Boris leaves without another word. The door closes behind him, and I’m alone with my brother again.
“You’re not going to like what I’m about to say,” he tells me.
“Then don’t say it.”
“You’re going to work hand-in-hand with Tony.”
I should have seen this coming. Should have anticipated that Dmitri would use Tony’s obvious interest in me as a tool. But hearing it spoken still makes my stomach drop.
“Dmitri—”
“He’s interested in you, Sasha. He spent an hour talking to you at the wedding, and tonight, he risked exposure to save your life. That interest is an asset we can exploit. If you’re going to stay in Moscow instead of going back to London, then you can at least make yourself useful.”
“I’m not bait,” I snap, glaring daggers at my brother.
“I’m not asking you to be. I’m asking you to stay in touch with someone who clearly wants that contact.” Dmitri stands and walks around the desk, resting his hands on my shoulders. “You’re brilliant at reading people. You spent two years authenticating art by spotting tiny inconsistencies and deliberate fakes. Use those same skills on Tony Haugh.”
“You want me to spy on him.”
“Get to know him. Find out what he wants. Determine whether he’s a threat or an opportunity. You’re the one he’s interested in, which makes you the best person for this job.”
I want to argue. To tell Dmitri I didn’t come back to Moscow just to be used as some kind of asset against a man who may or maynot be investigating our family. But the logic is sound, even if I hate it.
Tony is interested in me. That interest gives me leverage. And if he’s gathering intelligence on the Kozlovs, staying close to him means I can control what information he gets.
“Fine,” I relent through gritted teeth. “But if I determine he’s a threat, you let me handle it.”
