Page 34 of Marko

“Oh, you’ve got it as bad as the rest of them,” Luca replied, laughing.

“How the mighty fall. Isn’t that what you said to me once, Marko?” Miki said, chuckling as Marko huffed again.

My embarrassment forgotten, I bit back a grin as I watched Marko squirm under the scrutiny of the two men. My heart did a little flip as Marko turned and winked at me.

“If you two have had your fun, shall we get started?” he said, leading me to where the others were seated around a large conference table.

Obviously, Marko had told Miki about me, but I wasn’t sure what the others knew, so when he asked me to tell them all about myself, I didn’t hold back.

As I spoke, I noticed that they all reacted in some small way to Mathieson’s name when I told them how we were connected. However, none of their anger seemed directed at me, so I felt more relaxed.

Now that I had spent time with the family, I wasn’t as worried about working with them anymore. So, I was being candid because I needed to build trust with these men. First, so that we could work together to bring the MP down, and second, because if Marko and I were to have any kind of actual future together, then I wanted to be accepted among his family and friends.

“Marko has told me what Mathieson did to your family and your friends, and I am sorry about that. I realise that he is missing and that it likely means you guys had something to do with it and he is likely dead. I just want you to know I understand why you would have felt it necessary to deal with him. His letter clearly said he was not a good man, and I believe that. I didn’t know him, and I am glad, as he is not the type of person I would want anything to do with. The same can be said for my so-called uncle. The MP obviously doesn’t want to know me, and I sure as hell don’t want to know him, so whatever we need to do to ensure the safety of your family as well as myself, I’m up for that!” I said, finishing my speech in a rush.

The guys all stared at me. I think I shocked them a bit with just how candid I’d been, but I could see that I had done the right thing when each of them smiled at me.

“Glad you’re working with us, Melissa. We’ll do whatever it takes to destroy the MP and end his barbaric practices — for his victims and for the safety of our family, which now includes you,” Miki said, his wide smile radiating warmth.

I returned the smile, a wave of happiness washing over me. Miki, as the Pakhan and head of the family, had welcomed me into their fold, and it was a relief to shed my feelings of isolation.

As we pored over the microchip and photographs, I scrutinised their reactions closely, hoping my trust in them was well-placed. These men were formidable, after all, their histories likely marred by acts of torture and murder. Yet, Marko had assured me of their code: they spared women and children, reserving violence only for those who directly threatened them and only as a last resort. I desperately wanted to believe that their principles were genuine.

The disgust on their faces was palpable. Each grimace and sharp intake of breath spoke volumes. The images of women in distress hit them hardest. Ash, visibly shaken, clenched and unclenched his fists, while Romi steadied him with a hand on his shoulder. Their reactions reassured me—these were not men who took pleasure in inflicting pain.

The urgency to dismantle the MP’s operation surged within me. This wasn’t just about my safety or that of this family; it was about stopping his abhorrent practices for good.

Marko had hacked into the MP’s security system, revealing the extent of his paranoia. With the multiple layers of security around the rooms where Mathieson’s letter claimed the MP kept his most sensitive information; our task was daunting. I leaned on the skills my father had taught me, outlining how they could help us uncover the hidden evidence. Their approval bolstered my confidence; maybe, just maybe, I could meet their expectations.

CHAPTER 18

MARKO

SUNDAY MORNING – PLANNING A HEIST

Breakfast went off without a hitch, and by lunchtime, Melissa already felt like one of us. I had been wary about how the others would react to her being Aiden Mathieson’s daughter—our former enemy whom we had taken down—but to my surprise, they embraced her almost immediately.

My little cat burglar’s passionate speech about the arsehole and the MP did wonders to ease any lingering tension. Everyone seemed to relax around her, and she, in turn, appeared more comfortable with us. Miki’s approving nod to me confirmed she was now accepted as family, which was a reassuring moment.

Regardless of our personal dynamics, Melissa now had the protection of both my family and the Bratva. That assurance meant everything in our dark world.

We spent the morning analysing the intelligence Melissa had dug up on the MP, debating how her skills could help us lock down the evidence we needed for a solid case against him. Miki was livid about the recent attack on the poker game, and he had every right to be. We all felt the urgency to stop the MP before he caused more damage.

Cowardice wasn’t tolerated among us, and the MP epitomised it, hiding in the shadows instead of facing us head-on. These vile hunts had to be stopped. Taking him down wasn’t just about justice for the attacks on my family and Glowacki’s—it was about ending his despicable practices once and for all.

Miki had tightened the noose around Nigel Simpson’s neck, and Simpson confirmed that the MP was indeed behind the attacks on our businesses. The slimy weasel could have warned us but chose not to. To me, that was another nail in the untrustworthy bastard’s coffin.

Simpson wasn’t the go-between, but the rumour mill he had access to had clued him in on the situation. Or so he claimed. I didn’t believe a word out of the man’s mouth. Just thinking about him, even hearing his name, sent shivers of disgust down my spine. I’d seen those bloody surveillance tapes of him with those young, barely legal men too many times.

Eilidh joined us after lunch to help with the plans. When I brought up the topic of Simpson’s imminent death, she shook her head. “We should keep him around, Marko.”

I frowned. “He’s a liability, Eilidh. Why keep the bastard alive?”

She met my gaze steadily.

“Simpson might still have useful information and he’s the only one with an ear to the ground in the places we need it. We are still looking for more information on the human trafficking. Someone took over that operation before we could get to the other girls. This guy rubs us all up the wrong way, I know, but I don’t think he can be underestimated. I believe there is more to the man than we know and I, for one, want to find out what. If he knows anything about the trafficking or can help us with any further information about the MP, then we still need him. The man will get his comeuppance, but we need to be smart about this. Let’s use him while we can and wait until we finish with this MP first before you plan the guy’s demise,” Eilidh said.

“I agree there is more to him than we know, and that’s why I think we should end him sooner rather than later. He can’t be trusted. Anyway, he wasn’t exactly forthcoming with the information about the MP. In fact, he made sure not to reveal what he knew,” I replied unable to keep the annoyance out of my voice.

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