Page 8 of Dark Truths

Gabriella won the auction for the Alp trip that night and went on it with some girlfriends because, yes, I followed up. Call it curiosity, but if she took a guy, I wanted to make sure they were worthy of such a beautiful woman. But from what I can tell, her studies keep her too occupied to allow much time for dating.?

She’s in school to be a Nurse Practitioner. A noble profession, considering what her family does for a living, but Gabriella isn’t involved in any of that, as far as I can tell. She moved out at twenty-one years old to live in a cute two-story bungalow on a beach nestled in a private, secure neighborhood between the university and her family estate. The more I observed her from afar, the more I became convinced that Gabriella was anythingbuta spoiled, arrogant mafia princess like Sophia. I wish ourcircumstances weren’t what they are, but the truth is, she’s still a mafia princess and is as off limits as they come.

Sill, I never expected to see her here in my club, captivated by the performance happening in front of her, but I’m secretly pleased she is. Her eyes never left the show and mine never left her. So, when Boris laid his greasy paws on her, I immediately stood. When he twisted her wrist after she said no to his invite, I stepped in. It took every bit of my control to keep my mask in place, especially when she bumped back into me. My hand shooting out to steady her was automatic but felt…right.

I convinced myself that tending to her arm was the gentlemanly thing to do, telling myself that story over and over the entire way up to my office. That my kindness had nothing to do with the intense desire to have her near me, but that, given who her father is, it’s the most diplomatic thing to do. If Daddy dearest found out she was here and not only got hurt by one of my men, but that I then did nothing to make sure she was okay, my head would likely roll. And I rather like my head where it is.

But then she had to argue with me, which only stroked the devil inside me awake, and I saw no fear in her eyes when she did. No, the sinful little angellikedwhat she saw. The lust was clear as day across her face.

Which is why I had to put a stop to it right away. It’s one thing for me to watch her from afar, knowing there is no future between us. It’s another thing entirely when the temptation is there on both sides.

I hope she takes my warning to heart. She needs to because I spoke the truth. ThePlaygroundis no place for a woman like her. It's bad enough she's in as deep as she is because of her family. I won’t be responsible for tainting her soul even more.

Alexei’s phone beeps and I raise my eyes from the computer screen to look at him. “Gabriella and her friends are safe and sound back home.”

I nod. “Good.”

His face scrunches. “But Ivan says the car will need a detailed cleaning before he can use it again. That’s gross. Anyway, I’m going to assume you want to keep tonight’s special guest quiet?”

The ease with which he can switch conversations is a gift. I meet his knowing eyes and answer without elaborating, “Yes.” Sergei may be the Pakhan, but Alexei listens only to me.

“You got it, boss.”

The sound of a knock echoes through the room. Alexei opens the door to reveal two soldiers standing outside, escorting a visibly pale and scared Boris.

“Do come in, Boris.”

Alexei reaches out and grabs the frightened man, dragging him inside. Boris trips and falls to his knees in the center of the room. His eyes meet mine with a blend of confusion and fear in his expression. The sight of his apparent lack of awareness about why he's here leaves me irritated, He knows exactly why he’s here. He has to know that what he was doing would somehow make its way back to me. And the bastard is going to try and lie, try to bargain, beg even, but nothing he says will matter in the end. I just need to know one thing before things get bloody.

“Boss?” His voice wavers. “Is this because of the DiAngelo girl? I swear I didn’t know who she was.” I believe him on that point. “And I didn’t mean to break the rule. My mind slipped. I’m so sorry, boss. It won’t happen again.”

I stand up and remove my suit jacket, draping the expensive material over the back of my chair. As I come around my desk, I undo my cuff links and roll each sleeve up to my elbows. Once done, I lean back against my desk and study the shaking man in front of me. “You’re right, Boris. It won’t happen again.”

He mistakes my words for forgiveness. “Thank you, boss.”

“However, that’s not why you’re here,” I continue, enjoying how he visibly cringes at my words. “Tell me, could there be another reason why you’re here in front of me?”

“No-no, sir, I haven’t…” Boris glances over his shoulder, as if looking for help or a way to escape. He won't find either. Alexei stands guard in front of the closed door, seemingly relaxed, but I know better. The man is agile and quick like lightning. He can have his gun drawn and a bullet in the heart and head faster than you can blink.

“Let me refresh your memory, then.” Boris looks back at me with a sweaty brow and his face turning a sick gray color. He’s close to fainting and we can’t have that. Not yet. “A shipment of drugs and guns came in last week from Columbia. But when the buyer came for delivery, some product was missing. So, Alexei starts digging and do you know what he finds?”

Boris shakes and sobs, quickly becoming a blubbery mess.

“Answer me, Boris.” My tone is sharp, like the blade of a knife.

“I’m so sorry, boss. I’m so sorry.” He repeats the words over and over because he’s been caught and he knows it.

“Do we not pay you enough, Boris? Was it that what drove you to steal product? Did you think we wouldn’t notice? Did you think you wouldn’t be caught?” I fire off the questions in rapid succession on purpose. It’s a tactic I learned in the FBI during interrogation training: overwhelm the person being interrogated by firing questions at them quickly, and they’ll end up admitting to just about anything.

“No, boss. I didn’t mean to. I had to! I’m so sorry. Please, please forgive me.”

I lean back and exhale hard through my nose. “What did you do with the product, Boris?”

The man drops his head, defeat dragging his shoulders down. “I sold it to the Triads.”

Motherfucker.

“What did they offer?”

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