Page 60 of Secret Heir

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Aria take a step forward, her protective instincts flaring. She doesn’t speak Russian, but she can read the disapproval in Nikolai’s tone. Daniel’s smile falters.

“Not here,” I say quietly in Russian, squeezing Daniel’s shoulder and giving my son a reassuring smile. “Daniel is picking up Russian beautifully. He’s very bright. But I’ve been thinking about getting him formal lessons so he can learn properly.”

“Don’t think. Do.” Nikolai straightens, his attention already moving on, dismissing the moment as if it never happened. “We need to discuss business. Miss Delano, would you mind giving us privacy?”

Aria nods quickly. “Of course. Danny boy, why don’t we go to the library?”

She practically flees the room with our son, and I see Nikolai watching her go with those cold, calculating eyes.

“She’s afraid of me,” he observes.

“She’s afraid of the Bratva world. She’s been away from it for eight years.”

“Mmm.” He doesn’t sound convinced. “Let’s talk in your office.”

We settle in my office with vodka and files spread across my desk. Nikolai gets right to business as he always does.

“The embezzlement investigation is getting more complex,” he says, pulling up documents on his tablet. “We’ve traced the missing funds through shell companies in Cyprus, the Caymans, and Luxembourg. Whoever is doing this has been very careful.”

I frown. “How much are we talking about?”

“Conservatively? Fifteen million over the past three years. Possibly more going back further.” I whistle as my brother’s jaw tightens. “Someone has been bleeding us dry, and they’ve been good at hiding it.”

“Who’s working the investigation?”

“Alexander primarily. He’s been going through all our financial records tracking transactions and identifying patterns.” Nikolai slides the tablet across to me. “These are the accounts he’s flagged as suspicious.”

I scroll through the documents, and something about them bothers me. The highlighted accounts seem random. Some are clearly suspicious, but others look legitimate. And there are accounts that should be highlighted that aren’t.

The pattern doesn’t quite make sense.

“Has Alexander explained his methodology?” I ask.

Nikolai looks up from his phone. “He’s following the money. Why?”

“Some of these don’t seem…” I trail off, unable to articulate what’s bothering me. “Never mind. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.”

Nikolai gives me a sharp look. “You doubt Alexander’s competence?”

“No. Just…the pattern seems odd.”

“Alexander has been doing this for fifteen years. He knows financial investigations better than anyone.” Nikolai takes the tablet back, annoyed with me. “If he’s flagged these accounts, there’s a reason.”

I nod, but the unease lingers.

We discuss other business—territorial disputes and personnel issues. Normal organizational matters. After an hour, there’s a knock on the door.

Alexander walks in, and I see the shift in Nikolai’s demeanor immediately. My brother actually smiles and it’s not the cold curve of lips he usually offers.

“Alexander. Right on time.”

“Nikolai. Maksim.” Alexander nods to us both. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Not at all. We were just discussing your findings.” Nikolai gestures to the chair next to him. “Sit. We’ll continue over dinner.”

“Actually,” I say, “let me check with Aria about dinner arrangements. We usually eat as a family now.”

I leave them talking and head toward the sitting room where Aria and Daniel went. But as I approach, I see Aria in the hallway, her face ashen.