Page 2 of The Bratva's Knocked-Up Bride

My brothers and I looked at Ben with interest, growing curious about the information.

Alex crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat. “So, you’re searching for a rat?”

Benedikt nodded, and then Gemma took a step forward with her hands interlocked behind her back, expression grave. “We have reason to believe the informant is someone in my company.”

Daniil raises a brow. “The publication?”

She hummed her confirmation. “Yes. Given how I work closely with my husband and the others to both suppress and highlight stories about the world of organized crime in the city, it doesn’t seem out of the question. If someone close to me wanted to, I’m sure they could find a way to skim information.”

Alex stroked his chin absently. “How are they getting this information? Surely you aren’t having open conversations about Levov business.”

Gemma shook her head. “No, of course not. But to keep our name, and yours, out of hot water, I do what I need to. In some cases, I have to censor and redact information, which could be found by my unsuspecting employees if they look in the wrong places. If that information gets into the wrong hands, then I’m sure someone out there has no problem selling it to the highest bidder.”

After a moment of silence, while our group considered what they were saying, I looked between the two of them. “What does this have to do with us then?”

“Essentially, we need your help with surveillance. Luk already has his hands full, and he can’t put the necessary time into closely monitoring the issue,” Benedikt continued to explain. “We’re hoping you could do the surveillance and research and uncover who the rat, or rats, might be.”

“It shouldn’t be too big of an ask,” Ari piped up, giving us a measured look as he handed the folder over to Alex. “We have the resources, but we need someone to man it for us.”

“And if the rat isn’t working for Gemma?” My brother questioned as he opened the folder and glanced down at the information given to him.

“Then, at least, we’ll know and be able to cross that possibility off the list,” Benedikt answered. Despite his calm demeanor, I caught the veiled desire to get the situation under wraps in his gaze. “If that’s the case, we’ll focus our attention elsewhere.”

“I hope it’s none of my people, but it can’t be a coincidence that the interferences started soon after my publication went live,” Gemma added, expression somewhat tight with worry. “I can’t have anyone prying from the inside. Not when we’re working with sensitive information like this.”

Alex nodded as he handed the file to me next. “This must be serious if you’re coming to us for help.”

Ari sighed with the faintest hint of annoyance in his features. “It is. You know I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t think it was absolutely necessary.”

My brother chuckled as they continued, but I was too busy looking down at the printouts, finding employee records, reports made by the Levovs about the infiltrations, and whatever merchandise had been stolen, among others.

During a beat of silence, I looked between Benedikt, Gemma, and Ari. “I have recon experience…something like this shouldn’t be a problem for me.”

Benedikt lifted a brow. “You do?”

I nodded. “I’ve tracked down a few rats before. We had a similar situation of our own once. Associates of ours have paid me for work like this, too.”

“So, you’ll take it on?”

Glancing back down at the file, aware that it only made sense, I nodded. “Sure. I’ll see what I can do.”

A mutual sentiment of relief seemed to fill the room at my agreement, and Benedikt nodded. “Good, good. I’m glad to hear that. In that case, you’ll be working alongside Lukyan and Kir. You’ll report any findings to them.”

Lukyan and Kir both tipped their heads in acknowledgment. I did the same in return, unbothered by the idea of collaborating with them in a sense. From my experience with the two brothers, they were the most laidback out of all the Levovs, and reporting to them didn’t sound so bad.

“Everything you need to get started is in that file, but for more in-depth records, Lukyan can send you a link to the digital database,” Benedikt continued, expression stoic. “You’ll be able to get your hands on the building’s surveillance, employee records, and whatever else will help. If you think of anything else, just give the word.”

Nodding absently, I sifted through the printouts, seeing a few employee photos in the stack. From what I could tell, they were recent hires. That would be a good place to start.

“I’m on it.”

“Good,” Ari said after a beat, wearing a faint yet satisfied grin. “We’re depending on you to get to the bottom of this.”

No pressure, of course.

Despite being vaguely annoyed by the fact that the Levovs were using the new-found connection between our families to their advantage, something in me was still curious anyway.

It had been quite some time since I committed myself to that kind of job, and the thought of catching whoever was potentially putting both of our families at risk was a satisfying one.

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