It has to be Garin. Any other Bratva would be content to take me out. Why bother with my woman?
There’s more to what’s going on than a mere hit on a competing Bratva head. This is about vengeance, about tearing out my heart and forcing me to live with the pain.
Only Nikolai Garin would conceive of such a thing.
Andrei knits his brow in concentration. “But you said Garin was nearly hit, right? Why would he organize an attempt on your life where he could easily be killed in the crossfire?”
“Because he wanted to make it look that way to throw me off the trail. The shooting started just after he approached Amalie and me on the balcony.”
“That could’ve been a signal.”
“Perhaps. But no way to prove it.”
Andrei places his hand on his chin, thinking the matter over.
“Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“You could simply remove him.”
I snort in amusement. “Trust me, I have considered it. But it’s not an option. If I make a move against him, I would have to do it without connecting the Barinov Bratva to the assassination. A tall order, to say the least. And if I move but fail…” I let the words settle.
Andrei sighs, understanding. “Garin goes to war, brings in his allies. The city burns. Hundreds die. Not to mention you can put an end to any hopes of going legit.”
“Aptly summed up.”
An email from Callahan sits in my inbox. He’s still interested in speaking, still interested in moving the IPO forward.But I need more information before I give the word. I won’t get a third chance at this.
Andrei opens his mouth to speak when a knock sounds at the office door.
“Yes?” I call out.
The door opens and one of the housemaids steps in. “Mr. Barinov? There is a gentleman here to see you.”
My jaw tightens. “Name,” I say calmly.
“Detective Kyle Denning with the Chicago Police Department.”
The thought of a raid flashes in my mind. “Is he alone?”
“Yes, sir, he is.”
Andrei steps forward. “I can tell him to leave or at least to come back when a lawyer is present.”
That would be the prudent move, but something tells me there’s more to this visit than just simple questioning.
I straighten my cuffs and smooth the front of my jacket.
“Bring him in, please.”
The housemaid nods and retreats.
I glance once more at the board. It’s a mess, but it could also be the beginning of the noose I use to finally hang Garin.
Let Kyle come. I have nothing to hide.
But everything to protect.
Kyle Denning doesn’t enter my office with his hat in his hand. He enters like he owns the place. That alone earns a small sliver of my respect.
