Page 38 of The Bratva Enforcer and His Virgin Bride

“I do not avoid meetings,” I say flatly.

Samuel stares at me.

The room goes silent for one second.

Then everyone starts laughing.

Even Dimitri smirks into his drink.

“You absolutely avoid meetings,” Konstantin says.

“You ignored my calls for three weeks once,” Timofey adds.

“Peaceful three weeks,” I reply.

Samuel grins wider. “So?” he asks. “What’s happening?”

The amusement in the room fades when they notice I don’t answer right away.

I rest my glass untouched on the table beside me.

Then I speak.

“I found a lead connected to the dormant accounts.”

That changes everything.

The atmosphere tightens.

Every man in this room understands the weight attached to those words.

Sebastian straightens first. “What kind of lead?”

“A surviving connection tied to the authentication system.”

Dimitri’s eyes narrow thoughtfully. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

Konstantin leans forward. “Who has it?”

“Karl Jonathan.”

The room quiets again.

Samuel frowns. “Who is that?”

“A manipulative fucker, that’s who he is,” Sebastian says.

Timofey’s expression darkens. “Karl doesn’t move unless something benefits him.”

“Correct.”

“So what does he want?” Dimitri asks.

There it is.

The question I’ve been avoiding since I walked into this house.