Page 5 of Darkest Deeds

He sighs, squeezing the pen in his fist. “Okay, Ava, let’s go over the facts one more time. My colleagues and I received a tip that Seven was operating an illegal brothel to a certain select set of pre-vetted customers.” He uses air quotes on that last part, and I have to hold myself back from rolling my eyes. “We raided the premises and not only did we catch you in the act of prostitution, we also have it on video. Since this is your third offense, it’s considered a felony. That alone can put you away for five years. Now, I’m not in the business of chasing down women who willingly sell their bodies. I have bigger things to worry about.”

“What do you want?”

“I think you know what I want.”

I do, but I’m sure as hell not going to be the one who opens that window and jumps out of it. “Maybe you should spell it out for me.”

“Fine.” Gripping his hair, he lets out a growl of frustration. “You want it in black and white, here it is. Your father is one of the most notorious mob bosses on the East Coast…hell, maybe in the entire country. Not even taking into consideration the drug smuggling and extortion, we believe the Chernov Bratva is responsible for the disappearance of countless young women all over the southeastern United States. The FBI have dealt with the Italian mob for years, but the Russians have their own playbook. That’s where you come in. It’s almost impossible to get an undercover agent inside a Bratva. It’s easier to get someone from inside to come out.”

“You want me to betray my own family?”

“Your father is a murderer. He forces young women into prostitution at Seven then trafficks them,” he says, slamming the pen on the table. “For fuck’s sake, he’s not above selling his own daughter’s body. All you have to do is find proof of what he’s done. Get us something we can use to nail him, and I’ll forget tonight ever happened.”

I lower my chin, sickness settling in the pit of my stomach. “You don’t understand what he’ll do to me.”

“You’ll be under my watch the whole time, and after you testify, you’ll be put in the witness protection program. Think of it, Ava—new name, new state, new life. You’ll get to start over.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Well, you certainly have that right, but there’s one other thing I failed to mention.” There’s a glint in his eye as he clasps his hands together and leans forward. “I did some digging on you and found something that might make you a little more cooperative. Does the name Nikolai Garetovsky ring a bell?”

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