Page 65 of The Russian's Bought Bride

“Ah, I see. You had to let her stretch her wings a bit, which must mean she’s some kind of guest. Maybe more?”

I already regret this conversation, but it’s too late to back out now. Especially when I need his help.

Artem leans back comfortably against the leather booth with a contented exhale, and he studies me with infuriating amusement. “So, what exactly has backed you far enough into a corner to involve me?”

“I need help tracking someone, and everyone knows you’re the guy for the job,” I murmur, hoping to butter him up at least a bit. “Grigori Malenkov…he’s the head of a criminal group participating in scam medical trials and organ trading.”

The amusement fades slightly from his face, and he lets the words settle for a moment. “That’s unfortunate timing.”

“I gathered.”

He exhales through his nose and sets his glass down. “I’m still buried in the Balakin situation, as you know.”

I nod once, fully aware of the project he’s been working on for some time now.

Yuri and Maksim Balakin have been causing problems for months, and they’ve both proven to be more evasive thanwe anticipated. Artem’s been handling most of the tracking personally, but not many updates have been passed along lately.

Still, I wouldn’t have called him if I didn’t need someone exceptionally good at hunting people down.

“I don’t need you directly if you can’t manage it. I need your resources.”

That gets his attention, whether from his pride or not.

“You think Malenkov’s hiding locally?” He asks, obviously curious now.

“I know he is. He’s been causing problems for us lately, and they have enough information on us to know some of our locations.”

Artem considers that for a moment before nodding slowly. “You’re asking while I’m focusing on the others, but flushing rats out is one of my better talents.”

Artem has always excelled at pressure tactics. From isolating people to cutting escape routes and making enemies paranoid enough to expose themselves, he knows the best angles, and that’s exactly what I need right now.

His gaze drifts toward the lower lounge level where Vera and Dani now stand watching the performers together like old friends, then he looks back at me. “She must be important.”

I keep my expression neutral. “This isn’t about her.”

“Bullshit.”

“Artem,” I utter with a sigh, not wanting to dwell on this topic for long.

“What?” he says lightly. “You’ve always been private. Half the family thought you were emotionally dead for years.”

“That’s overselling things.”

“And yet somehow you still look at her like she matters more than your own sanity,” he muses, vaguely pointing in her direction. “That isn’t nothing.”

Glancing away briefly, irritation sparks in my chest at the fact that he’s observant enough to be right.

“I’m handling it,” I mutter.

“Close, but that wasn’t denial.”

I shoot him a flat look, but he just laughs quietly into his drink. Unfortunately, that only makes me feel more exposed.

I’m beginning to see that I’ve been too obvious lately, and I’ve stopped guarding certain things as carefully as I usually do. It’s a dangerous mistake, and yet, none of that changes the reality sitting underneath all of this.

I lean forward slightly and lower my voice. “Whatever’s happening with her doesn’t matter right now. Malenkov does. I need this finished before he causes more damage. Roman has already been on my ass enough as it is.”

Artem studies me for a long moment, then finally, he nods once. “Alright, fine. I’ll help, but only because this side of you is rather interesting.”