Declan frowns, looking like he’s debating his answer. “It’s complicated. We know there must be traitors in our company, it’s the only logical reason the Antonovs have been able to hit us like they have, but finding them is taking time. Right now, we don’t know who we can trust, and you can imagine how Asheris handling that, especially considering you’re now in the line of fire. And in truth, the problems are coming from three sides. The Antonovs with TDC, whoever the traitor or traitors are within the company, and the Volkovs. I know you hate to hear this, but Asher is right to be careful. There are too many threats coming from too many directions. All it takes is one misstep, and the consequences could be catastrophic.”
“Where exactly do the Volkovs fit in again?”
“They’re relatives of the Antonovs and their main supplier of oil out of Russia. The Antonovs need to keep up the appearance of being good, law-abiding citizens, so the Volkovs, being big players in the Russian Bratva, tend to do their dirty work for them. It’s how their families operate.”
“So, the Volkovs are the ones responsible for your grandfather’s death? And Asher’s . . . kidnapping and near death?”
Declan nods solemnly. “On behalf of the Antonovs, yes.”
“So, how do you take them down?”
“First, we need to find out who is betraying us, then we go after Sergei and Yegor.”
“When you say go after them . . .”
Declan holds my stare before letting out a long breath. “I mean eliminate them.”
My pulse jackhammers. Not from the clear promise of murder, ironically, but from the risk it poses.
“And just how dangerous is that?”
“I’m not going to lie; there’s a lot of risk involved. But we have extensive resources at our disposal, and we’ll use them. We’re more powerful than they are, but they’ve remained a threat because of their ability to operate in the shadows. Once we bring them out into the light, it will be over for them.”
“And Sterling is working on that?”
“Yes.”
“I know you and Asher want to keep me safe, but I want to help. What can I do?”
“Keep doing what you’re doing. We need distraction.”
I groan. “That’s what Asher said.”
“And he’s right. Think of it like a magician’s act. You can’t pull off the trick if people are watching you closely, you need their eyes turned in one direction, so you can work in a different direction without them noticing.”
“I doubt our publicity is distracting Sergei and Yegor.”
“It’s not distracting them, but it is distracting the public. This war between our families cannot come to light. If people knew the truth of our grandfather’s death, it would show a weakness that others might try to replicate. And if people knew the lengths that we are willing to go to end this, they might not see us so favorably. As a family and a business, we really do try to operate as ethically as possible, but when you have the money and fame we do, people come after you, and sometimes, you have to sink to their level to stay alive and ahead. We don’t love it, but it’s necessary. And the public canneverknow about it. They mostly turn a blind eye to our playboy, bachelor antics, but they won’t turn a blind eye to violence and murder—even if it’s justified. So, as much as it may not seem like you’re helping, you really are. Your shiny newness brings a lot of attention that feeds the public’s curiosity and keeps them looking in the direction we want them to be looking, so we can handle our enemies in the shadows.”
I mull his words over, and turn giddy when not one, but two ideas spark to life. I hurry across the office and sit in the seat opposite Declan.
“I just had a thought. I mean, two thoughts.”
“Two whole thoughts?” Declan says with a smirk.
I shoot him a friendly glare. “Just hear me out. I think we apply your same logic in two additional ways.”
He arches a brow. “Meaning . . .”
“Publicity. We need it to work in our favor, as you just said. I’ll keep trying to make big headlines to keep everyonedistracted, but in the meantime, we need to do the same for Greenspan. You and Asher both said you’ve kept Greenspan quiet. But you also said it’s on the brink of a major breakthrough. That’s a story the public would be extremely interested in. Not to mention, it would look good for your family if the public knew you are invested in using your own money to fund green-energy technology. If Greenspan becomes a company the world knows about, it’s going to be much harder for the Antonovs to buy it and break it without the world finding out. Not that that would deter them, per se, but it might make things more difficult for them.”
Declan runs his hand over his jaw, considering. “What do you suggest?”
“I think we bring a major news outlet into Greenspan, and you show the world what you’re working on. Not the details exactly, to keep your proprietary technology safe, but you give them the gist. Putting Greenspan on the map just might help to protect it.”
“Well damn, Asher was right. You’re not just a pretty face.” He winks.
I roll my eyes at the joke, but secretly warm at the compliment.
