Bogdan's expression hardens. "Be careful, Hannah. Sometimes the truth isn't what we want to hear. And sometimes pursuing it can be dangerous for everyone involved."
The words sound like a warning, maybe even a threat. But I don't back down.
"Then I guess I'll have to take that risk."
He stands abruptly. "I hope you know what you're doing."
After he leaves, I return to the evidence with renewed determination. Somewhere in these papers is the truth.
And I'm going to find it.
13
DANTE
Ihate coming down here.
It stinks. It honestly smells like shit. The waste treatment facilities cloud the area with the aromatic smell of waste.
I fucking hate it.
The industrial area on Lake Calumet is where we hold several warehouses. Some are legit business holdings. Others are for obvious tasks that require privacy and easy access to a dumping ground.
"You sure he's in there?" Alexei asks, checking his weapon one more time.
I study the building through the SUV's tinted windows. Third floor, second window from the left—that's where Lev Gorin is supposed to be waiting with the fifty thousand he owes us. Three months overdue, two warnings ignored, and now we're collecting the hard way.
"Bogdan's intelligence is usually reliable," I say, though something feels off about this whole situation.
"Usually."
Rarely do I have to handle the unpleasant duties, but Bogdan said Lev needed to talk to me. He had information but insisted he would only talk to me.
The skepticism in Alexei's voice mirrors my own doubts. Lev is small-time, a gambling addict who got in over his head with our sports book. Fifty thousand isn't worth the time it takes to collect it personally, but Bogdan insisted this needed my direct attention.
"Two minutes," I tell Alexei as we exit the vehicle. "In and out."
We exitthe SUV and head inside. Everything looks normal, but I can’t help but feel like something is off. We take the stairs, both of us staying on high alert.
By the time we reach the third floor, every instinct I have is screaming danger.
"Boss," Alexei says quietly, his hand moving to his weapon.
"I know."
Too quiet. Too empty. If Lev were really here, there would be signs of life.
Instead, there's nothing but the kind of silence that usually precedes violence. I get that feeling. It’s a little tingle at the base of my neck.
The door to the supposed meeting room stands slightly ajar, darkness beyond it. I gesture for Alexei to take position on the opposite side, then push the door open with my foot.
Three things happen simultaneously.
A muzzle flash from the darkened room. The crack of gunfire. The burn of a bullet grazing my shoulder as I dive sideways.
"Ambush!" Alexei shouts, returning fire as I roll behind an open door.
More shots, the distinctive bark of automatic weapons. This isn't Lev trying to avoid paying his debts—this is a professional hit.
