Page 28 of Prey of the Bratva

“It does for me.”

“And that’s exactly the problem.”

I held my ground as he closed the distance between us in two long strides.

“I know enough to recognize patterns,” he continued. “You were looking into port activity and questioning rerouted shipments. You probably went there in search of some unregistered cargo moving through controlled territory because that is exactly what happens at the south docks. You weren’t there for a random meeting, Misha. Accept it.”

“No,” I said calmly. “I wasn’t. I am accepting it. Now what?”

“Then what were you there for?”

I smiled slightly. “I was curious about something and needed answers.”

His expression darkened. “I’m not interested in games, Misha.”

“Then stop playing them.”

“Who were you meeting?” he asked. “Tell me.”

“Someone who had answers for me.”

“That doesn’t narrow it down.”

“It wasn’t meant to.”

His gaze sharpened. “You’re protecting someone or something.”

“Yes, I am.”

“What is it?”

“That’s not your concern.”

“It becomes my concern if it intersects with my operations.”

“But it doesn’t intersect with your operations!”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.”

“You’re making assumptions.”

“I’m making decisions.”

His jaw flexed slightly. “And those decisions almost got you killed.”

“And yours didn’t?” I shot back. “You were there, Kliment. You were there to watch me and follow me, and from what I know of the Romanovs, your intentions could not havebeen noble. Don’t pretend this was some holy intervention and you are my knight in shining armor. You were there because you probably wanted to kidnap me or kill me as well!”

Something flickered in his eyes, and that was all the confirmation I needed.

“Were you tracking me from the start?” I asked. I stepped closer this time, closing the remaining space between us. “Did you know I was going to the docks?” I pressed. “Or did you just follow me until you figured it out?”

“You move like someone who doesn’t want to be followed,” he said.

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s enough of one.”