Page 52 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

I watch her leave for work, and I feel slightly dazed. I am dreaming about our life together.

My phone rings, and without looking at it, I answer. “Danil speaking.”

“It’s Kervyn, we need to talk. Come through to Afanasy.” He hangs up. He means business, and I’m pulled out of my daydream and back to the reality that I face working for my kind of family.

I look at Renat. “Get the car. We’re needed.”

“Yes, boss,” he says before hurrying out.

I put my suit jacket on and check myself in the mirror. I look at the little ornaments from Asher’s house and wonder about them. Leanne said she’d look into them.

I leave and get into the car, and it’s quick work to get through the traffic and to Afanasy when Renat is driving. He knows every back road and alleyway in the city.

As we pull up to the club and I get out I see two detectives approaching me. “Morning, gentlemen. Do you have a warrant, or is this just a random stop?”

“We saw you put something in your pocket and think it’s narcotics, so we’re doing a search.”

I hold my hands up, and they pat me down. Thankfully, I’m not carrying today.

“Seems you were mistaken,” I say with a smirk. “Maybe next time.”

“There will be a next time, Mr. Milov,” the younger detective says before they leave.

I head inside with a sigh and shake my head. I walk upstairs to Kervyn’s office and walk right in. “Cops are outside doing searches.”

“I know, they stopped me as well, some bullshit about narcotics.” Kervyn looks up. “Have a seat.”

I sit down in the armchair facing him, and he sighs. “I don’t like what I hear on the street, Danil.”

“What are you hearing that I’m not?” I ask curiously.

“That someone in the family is going to betray us to the Italians. There’s word out that it’s happening soon.” Kervyn looks at me. “We need the family members we know are loyal to check in on the more distant relatives trying to elbow in.”

I nod. “I’ll arrange that straight away. You don’t think they’re tipping off the cops as well, do you? Try to strong-arm us out of one of the deals.”

“There’s that big exchange coming up. The Italians have been trying to negotiate better prices with the Columbians for weeks, and they’re not biting. However, if we are out of the way or they find out what we’re doing to keep them on the hook, all our hard work these past weeks will be for nothing. You understand what I mean?”

“Find the fucker and deal with them,” I say seriously.

“I knew you’d understand my instructions. You always do.” Kervyn motions to a tray with coffee on it. “Want some?”

“No, I had just before we left the house.”

“You’re coming to Mama tonight for dinner, right?” Kervyn asks. “She keeps asking to see you and Asher. She hasn’t seen you together since the wedding.”

I nod. “I can bring her around.”

“Do it, for Mama’s sake.” Kervyn sips his coffee and inclines his head. “Anything else I need to know about?”

I shake my head. “No, everything is going as smoothly as it can, though I’m not going to get much done with the cops tailing me. Best make it look like I leave so they can busy themselves.”

The door opens. “There are cops outside searching everyone,” Arseny says as he walks in. “Oh, hi, Danil.”

“Did you have your gun permit on you?” I ask.

“Yes, I’m just saying you should call Rick ‘cause that’s harassment.” Arseny pours himself some coffee.

“I’ll call him. You two get back to work.” Kervyn takes out his phone.

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