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“Yes. She did.”
Alessia’s eyes found mine. I could see the hurt in her eyes, but I could see her courage along with it.
“Tell me about the current arrangement,” Alessia pressed on.
“The current arrangement has three parts,” he said. “Sokolov moves the money. Dmitry supplies the weapons, routes, and intelligence. Levon supplies the men and the person he intends to install inside the Bellandi companies.”
“What happens next?” Alessia asked.
“Sokolov intends to close Veles.”
Ivan spoke through the speaker. “What does that mean?”
“Veles can hide money across many companies, but the oldest records and the final approvals still pass through one physical server. Sokolov keeps it inside a warehouse on the Boston waterfront.”
“Which building?” I asked.
“I do not know. He controls several connected facilities.”
“And what about the physical key?” Ivan asked.
“Sokolov carries it with him at all times. He will use it one more time for Levon’s takeover,” Arsen answered. “Then he wipes the server, removes the node, and disappears. No records. No route back to him.”
“When does the takeover happen?” Alessia asked.
“The marriage changed the plan,” Arsen said. “Your husband and the independent trustee now receive notice of any attempted governance change. Forged papers alone won’t work anymore. The trust freezes the transfer before the boards can act.”
“Then what do they need from me?”
“They need your face, your voice, your palm print, and the trust seal to authenticate your approval and install Levon’s nominee as a temporary operating partner inside the American Bellandi holdings,” Arsen replied. “Sokolov keeps the key connected long enough to release the money that buys the directors and customs officers. Levon presents the appointment to the boards and uses his men to enforce the change before the trustee can stop it.”
“And if Sokolov removes the key?”
“The money stops, and the authorization window closes.”
“And Sergei?” Alessia asked.
Arsen lowered his hand.
“Your husband must be there,” he warned.
Alessia’s hand found mine again.
“Why?” she asked, though every person in the building knew.
“He wants me to watch,” I clarified for her.
“Yes,” Arsen confirmed.
“Watch what?” she questioned further.
Arsen’s eyes slid over to Alessia. I stood before he answered. The chair legs scraped over concrete, the sound cutting through the room.
“Say it to me. Not to her.”
Arsen obeyed, looking directly at me.
“Dmitry wants you brought to the room after they have control of her. He wants you separated from your brothers and close enough to understand what will happen if you refuse his terms. Levon gets the ports,” Arsen continued. “Sokolov gets his money. And Dmitry gets you.”
