The math is simple.
"Why shouldn't I put a fucking bullet in you?" I ask.
"Because I'm the only one in New York City who knows where Artem operates. I'm the only one who knows how he thinks. How he moves." His voice is steady despite my hand having just been on his throat. "You want to find Gabriel? You want your wife safe? You need me."
"I still don't see why I don't just trade you for Gabriel."
"You could try. But Artem doesn't negotiate like that. He'd take the pieces and keep your wife anyway." Alexei's eyes are hard. "He's not sentimental. He's not honorable. He's a mercenary who cares about two things: money and revenge. And right now, Gabriel is providing both."
"Then what good are you?"
"I know where he operates. I know his safe houses. His contacts. His patterns." He pauses. "And I have just as much reason to find him as you do. Maybe more."
"Because of your feud."
"Because Artem Orlov has been a thorn in my side for five years. Because Gabriel Romano owes me money. And because I'm tired of playing nice while people think they can use me to settle their scores." His smile is sharp. "So, here's what I'm offering. My men. My intelligence. My resources. We find Artem. We find Gabriel. We all go home much happier."
"What makes you think Artem hasn't ditched Gabriel?" I ask. "Neither one is particularly trustworthy."
"There's no way Gabriel is capable of evading all of the families for as long as he has been. Someone else has been helping." Alexei's voice is certain.
And I agree with him.
I should tell him to fuck off. Should handle this myself. Should trust no one, especially not the man whose enemy just kidnapped my wife.
But Sera's life is worth more than my pride.
And if Alexei can help me find her, I'll deal with the consequences later.
Before I can answer, my phone rings.
I pull it out, still holding Alexei's gaze.
Unknown number. Manhattan area code.
I almost ignore it but something in my gut tells me not to.
"What?"
"Mr. Nero, it's Hendricks. You need to get to the mansion. Now." His voice is tight. "There's been an attack—explosives, gunfire. Multiple casualties."
My blood goes cold. "Seraphina?"
A pause. Too long.
"Gone, sir. We believe she was taken during the breach."
The world stops.
Everything stops.
"What?"
"Your wife, sir. She's gone. We believe she was taken during the attack."
I can't breathe. Can't think. Can't process.
"What about Leo?" My voice sounds distant. Wrong.
