Page 2 of Captured By the Bratva

They both nodded, grumpy about the reminder.

“Then, he collaborated with the Ortezes to attack our businesses.”

Nik raised his brows at me. “And also wanted to continue getting a cut of the trafficking operation as it continues elsewhere within the Cartel.”

“And that’s just this year,” Alek complained. “It’s time to finish him once and for all.”

I didn’t cower under his direct stare with those words. I heard him. And I’d damn well take care of it.

“But Yusef seems to think Murphy’s angling with the Rossinis now.”

I rolled my eyes.Those fucking Italians.“Haven’t they all killed each other by now?” All of the Families battling for powerin New York suffered from infighting, but not as often as the Rossinis did.

“Yusef seems to think that this isn’t anything new,” Nik added. “Murphy’s hiding, but with the tracking software Dmitri arranged for Yusef, there is a long record of correspondence with members of the Rossini organization.”

Nothing seemed off about that. Murphy was an opportunist. He’d dance from one group to another, wherever he could count on the best benefits and rewards. Loyalty wasn’t a part of that cop’s makeup. He wasn’t loyal to his job, any of the “bad guys” he was supposed to bring down. No one. Steven Murphy was a solo operator, and that would make finding him that much harder. If he was so flaky and two-timed his associates and connections, no one would want to offer him refuge and help him hide.

“I bet he’s got records of talking with all kinds of people,” I said.

“True,” Nik replied, “but Yusef is starting to piece together a long track of correspondence with the Rossinis, even before the worst periods of their infighting and own drama.”

“Maybe a long-standing scheme, then,” I guessed. It hardly mattered what the asshole was doing. Whatever Murphy was up to, it was about to come to a stop when I ended his life.

Alek sighed, looking over the guests at the party. Even though we were over here talking about business, we all three tried to keep our expressions as neutral as possible. Mila, Alek’s wife, was sentimental and emotional about this wedding. Both Mila and Amy were prone to the effects of hormones wrecking their bodies and minds. They’d cried throughout the events of the day, and I knew those pregnant women would be even more upset if they knew we were talking about missions and hard jobs over here.

“I’ll contact Yusef,” I told them both, eager to wrap up this conversation. It wasn’t the time nor place for it. “And it doesn’tmatter what that fucker is planning with whoever he wants to pretend he’s friends with.” The Ortez Cartel wouldn’t mess with us anytime soon. The Kastava Family had been cut down with the death of their leader. If Murphy wanted to bring me into some stupid plan with the Rossinis, so be it. “Regardless of any plans Murphy’s making, he’ll always be the enemy and no one will be able to protect him.” He’d made his bed as a crooked cop, and he’d damn well lie in it.

Alek clapped his hand on my back. “Good.”

“The Rossinis are never easy to follow, though,” Nik said. He didn’t react to my optimistic, get-it-done comment. Even though he was a married man, house hunting and committed to the preparations for being a father, he seemed to struggle with letting go of this enemy.

“But it’s a start.” I watched him closely, curious whether he’d struggle to let me handle this one for the family. “And I’ll focus on looking into whatever he might be planning with the Rossinis and root that fucker out from wherever he’s hiding.”

Nik pressed his lips together and exhaled through his nose.

“No one can hide for good.” I smoothed down my shirt and straightened my cuffs. “Not when the Valkov Bratva has targeted them.”Especially me.Pavel used to brag that I was one of the most vicious killers they had in the family. No one ever wanted to cross me, and no one ever interfered with my preference for the darkness. At the sex clubs. At the scene when someone had to be tortured or killed. I was the sick fucker of us all, and I wouldn’t suggest that anyone forget that anytime soon.

“Leave this one to me, Brother.” I patted his shoulder, then gestured to the party. “Enjoy your wife.” A glance at Alek showed he was smirking. “You too.”

Alek scoffed, shaking his head. “Just see that you don’t get sidetracked like Nik and I did.”

I doubted he meant it. Meeting Mila and making her his wife wasn’t an accident of being sidetracked. Alek loved his wife, and I had no doubt he was grateful for her in his life, her and their unborn daughter.

Nik chuckled wryly. “We’re all getting distracted with women lately.”

Speak for yourselves.“Not me.” I’d made my peace with my future. A lifetime of bachelorhood was all I had to count on, and even though I felt like the odd one out here, without a plus-one or even any interest to chase a woman at the party, I was fine with that.

I’d never find a woman who’d suit my dark needs. Someone who’d welcome my rough attitude and need for pain. Who’d accept me for who I was and not try to change me into something softer and domesticated.

“No worries on that count,” I told my skeptical brothers.

“Never say never,” Alek warned.

I smirked at him. He had no room to tease me. As the leader, he would have been forced to settle with someone at some point.

“You don’t know when it could happen,” Nik taunted good-naturedly.

“More likeifthat would ever happen. And it won’t.”

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