Page 140 of Cashmere Cruelty

I rise from my chair and snatch it away. “M-Matvey?” Yuri balks, but I don’t pay him any mind. I’m too busy cursing myself.

See?thepakhaninside of me hisses.This is why April’s bad for you. She’s an obsession. A distraction.

For once, I’m inclined to agree. Because I slipped up on the job. Ineverslip up on the job.

This isn’t just any random oversight, either. This report is the key to finding out what happened at the warehouse that night: who killed our men, who executed the hostages. Who sent the kidnappers after April.

Most likely, it’s the same person who sent those assassins at the penthouse.

How could I just fuckingforgetabout it?

This is all my fault.It’s not a thought I have often, but now, I can’t shake it. If I’d only been more careful, more focused?—

Maybe those men would’ve been long dead before they could even think to touch April.

Or my child.

But… no. Back when this landed on my desk, something else landed there, too: April’s background check. All the dirt and the scars that her shitty family inflicted on her. Once I saw that, I didn’t have eyes for anything else.

A mistake.

I give this report my full attention now. I scan the pages like my life depends on it, because in a way, it does. My child’s life, laid out on the line because of my carelessness.

Never again will I put April Flowers before my own blood.

“Parni. Come take a look at this.”

Yuri’s already peering over my shoulder. Grisha catches up swiftly, peering over Yuri’s. “Any matches?” he asks.

“Get off of me!” Yuri snarls. “Christ, you’re heavy.”

“It’s not my fault you’re pint-sized.”

“I’ll show you?—”

“Quiet!”

Silence falls in the office. I catch Yuri and Grisha throwing quizzical glances between themselves, but I don’t have time to spare it any thought. My eyes are glued to the page.

Specifically, to one line.

“The bullet was traced to D.C.,” I exhale. “An underground arms dealer.”

“D.C.?” Yuri asks, suddenly nervous. “Why would…?”

“Why indeed?” Grisha echoes. He’s using that tone again, the one that lets you know he’s caught on more than he lets on. “It appears your interest in D.C. isn’t one-sided, boss.”

You want D.C., Grisha’s undertone seems to say.And now, D.C. wants you.

The words from Hostage #2 play back in my mind:My boss sends his regards.

I already knew then. I didn’t want to rush to judgment, but I fuckingknew.

“Pressure thevory,” I order. “This acquisition needs to happen now.”

Yuri straightens up. So does Grisha. In unison, they reply, “Yes,moy pakhan.”

42

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