Page 65 of Shackled

He nods and glances nervously at the camera. He shoots furtive looks over his shoulder. “Everything she’s said… It's true, all of it. It appears she knows Javier’s operation inside and out.”

The room falls silent as Lev’s brothers digest the ramifications. Kolya is the first to speak, his tone grudging. “Alright, Isabella. You’ve convinced us for now. But I solemnly warn you, if anything goes wrong, it’s on you... and Lev.”

Lev growls. “Are you threatening her?”

Kolya stands silent, looking at Mikhail grimly.

I nod, my resolve firm. “I understand. But believe me, I want Javier destroyed just as much as you do.”

Lev’s grip on my hand eases slightly, a silent show of support. “Then we move forward with her plan,” he declares, looking each of his brothers in the eye. “We hit Javier where it hurts, and we take control of his operations.”

Kolya eyes me, his suspicion still evident but now tempered with contemplation. “If you’re telling the truth, then you’re more valuable than we thought.”

Mikhail’s gaze softens, but his wariness doesn’t entirely dissipate. “Fine. We’ll take this information and act on it. But if this goes south, I agree with Koyla, you will suffer the consequences Lev.”

Lev nods curtly, his protective stance unwavering. “Understood, pakhan. But know this, all of you: Isabella is under my protection. Any threat to her is a threat to me, I will defend her no matter who tries to hurt her.”

Mikhail turns to the screen. “Fine. Tell us more about Javier’s weaknesses. What else is there to exploit?”

Dmitri clears his throat, glancing nervously at me before speaking. “Javier’s organization currently is crumbling from the inside. Morale is at an all-time low. There’s constant dissent and in-fighting among his lieutenants about what parts of the business are more important, particularly between Carlos and Mateo. They’re both vying for greater positions of power in LSD, and that division is something we can use to our advantage.”

I nod, my expression resolute. “Carlos is more interested in expanding the drug operations, while Mateo is all about growing the human trafficking business... he’s also more loyal to Javier but lacks his ruthlessness. If we can turn Carlos against Mateo, it would wreak chaos within Javier’s ranks.”

Aleks strokes his chin thoughtfully. “A power struggle could work nicely in our favor. But what could we do to ignite a conflict like that?”

“I know how we can do it,” I say firmly. “There’s a shipment coming next week. If we intercept it, I can help you make it look like an inside job. Carlos will blame Mateo, and vice versa.”

Kolya interjects, still cautious. “And what’s your role in all this?”

“I’ll help coordinate the attack and ensure that the right evidence points to Carlos,” I explain. “I have the skills and the knowledge to circumvent their security. As I said before, I want Javier’s downfall as much as you do.”

Lev looks around the room, his brothers’ expressions a mix of skepticism and reluctant agreement. “Trust her. I do.”

As they prepare to leave the room, Aleks approaches Lev, his voice low. “I hope you know what you’re doing, little brother. Our family’s future depends on it.”

Lev meets his gaze, determination blazing in his eyes. “I know exactly what I’m doing. And I believe in Isabella. She’s proven herself to me.”

The room begins to empty, but Kolya lingers, casting one last glance at me. “We’ll see if your loyalty is true. Don’t give us any reason to doubt you.”

I stand tall, my chin raised defiantly. “I won’t.”

With the tension still hanging in the air, Lev and I are left alone in the room. He pulls me into his arms, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “You did great. They’ll come around.”

I lean into him, my heart racing from the confrontation. “I hope so. We have to take down Javier. Not just for us, but for everyone he’s hurt.”

Lev nods, his expression fierce. “We will. Together.”

I look up at him, feeling both determined and vulnerable. “We must succeed, Lev. It’s not just about us. It’s about all the lives Javier has destroyed and will destroy if we don’t.”

He nods, understanding the weight of my words. “We will succeed. Together.”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the days ahead. The battle has begun.

There is no turning back now.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Lev

---