your identity. Initially, he thought you were a man.”
“Then, he kidnapped me, and the French figured out who I was.”
“As well as the Yakuza,” I added. “I’m sure the Dragon had spies all around at the time. Once he got an image, I know he would’ve gained favor by telling others who you were.”
“In New York, I thought no one was as gossipy and catty as gangsters. Is that true on the international front?”
“Yes, indeed. After New York and Prague, I’m sure by the time we got to Moscow, Fela’s men might have known of your identity and importance to me too. My uncle and he were close. Fela even had men that served as security for Uncle Igor’s castle.”
“If Fela was close to your uncle, he might’ve known about the Knights of Babylon.”
“Maybe, Fela was the only person Uncle Igor could have told.”
“Igor did see Fela in chains and naked long ago. They both shared secrets. They both knew each other well.”
“If we continue with this theory,” I tapped my fingers against the door. “Then, Black Axe has someone close to me spying for them.”
“Someone who would benefit from spying for them.”
“A person that would want Sasha’s Italian interests.”
She slumped her shoulders. “Or. . .we’re all wrong and someone is trying to kill me.”
“At this point, we’ll have to go through all the theories and kill everyone, until the threats go away.”
“I’m game for that.”
“It’s us against them, mysh. Always.” I kissed her, knowing that even more would die. A message had to be given.
Fuck with my mouse or me, and people will just die—innocent or guilty. Tread carefully, when we come around.
Emily spoke, “I hope you don’t mind, but now I’m going to be assessing everyone that’s close to you, especially anyone that’s high level in the brotherhood.”
I smirked. “My little protector.”
“Who would benefit from Italy?”
“Anyone that was close to me.”
“Number one, two, or three positions next to you?”
“Exactly.”
“Abram, Zahkar, and Pavel were the first three that you considered, not including Misha, or David.”
“And it’s clear that Misha has no interests in brotherhood power, which is why I wanted him close.”
“You put David next to you after France. I’m sure that pissed many off.”
“Pavel, Abram, and Zahkar weren’t happy at all.”
“Now, Zahkar is gone.”
“I’ll have to tell his wife. She’s an old friend. She’ll have to understand.”
“You already know that I’m going after Abram’s interests in Kapotnya. I hope it’s okay, but I want to put some of my men on him.”
Her plan made me uneasy. “You’ve proven to me over and over that you can take care of yourself. Still. . .”
“You want to protect me?”
“Yes. And you’re pregnant.”
“I don’t need to be reminded of that, Kaz. I’ve got the food cravings, vomiting, and ridiculous sleepiness to confirm it to me every day.”
“I am who I am.”
“Me too.”
I slipped my hand along that beautiful face. “We’ll work together.”
“On Abram?”
“On Abram and Pavel.”
She frowned. “No. Not Pavel. I like him too much.”
“We have to check them both out. Either could reap the advantage of Italy right now.”
“Who’s over Italy’s assets again?”
“Sasha’s men—the few I deemed loyal and didn’t kill. All from Siberia and strong connections to my past.”
“Which means they have strong connections with Abram and Pavel?”
“Yes. They grew up with all of us.” I held her close to me. “We’ll need to go to Italy, mysh.”
“And there’s the French that are apparently going after whoever they think it is.”
“If it’s Pavel or Abram, they won’t be able to touch them. Jean-Pierre won’t even know their identity.” I smiled. “The French will find that Moscow is very different from Paris.”
“How so?”
“In Paris, a stranger comes around and asks questions, he’ll get answers. In Moscow, a stranger comes around and asks questions, he’s dead by the morning. One doesn’t even know if the question was dangerous or not, just that Russians aren’t fans of questions.”
“And asking about Pavel, or Abram could definitely get them a bullet?”
“Yes.”
“What do we do, Kaz?”
“We wait for now, and keep you protected.”
“No.” She shook her head. “We keep us both protected.”
“That too, mysh. That too.”
Chapter 31
Wet
Emily
We returned to the penthouse.
Harlem greeted us with pure excitement.
With blood on my shirt and still some on my skin, I needed to take a shower and quickly put on some new clothes. I had a lot to do. First, I had to check out Max and Boris’s plan for Abram and catch them up. Kaz’s men took Mr. Blue Cross off to Boris.
I guess I won’t have to