Page 74 of The Mafia's Quadruplets

“Exactly. I’d bet my last bitcoin Lev was piggybacking on his brother’s work, adapting it for Petrov’s operation.”

I process this information. “That explains the level of encryption you’re facing. Lev had access to state-of-the-art tech.”

“Boss, if Lev applied even a fraction of Firewall Omega’s capabilities to Petrov’s systems...” Yuri trails off, the implications clear.

“We need to speak with him,” I say, “But not yet. Keep digging. I want to know everything about Lev’s time with Petrov, his arrest, and his current situation. Leave no stone unturned.”

“On it,” Yuri says. “What about ‘Curran-Fromhold?’ Want me to look into their systems?”

I consider this for a moment. “Do it but be careful. We don’t want to tip our hand or compromise Lev’s safety.”

“Understood. I’ll update you as soon as I have more.”

The call ends, and I pocket my phone, looking at Dmitri, who’s watching me in the visor mirror. “We need to arrange a meeting with Lev Mikhailov. Discreetly.”

Dmitri nods, his expression grim. “It won’t be easy, but I have some contacts. We’ll make it happen.”

I stare out the window as the city passes by. Petrov’s desperate, and desperate men make mistakes. It’s an opportunity, but also a threat. If he’s willing to go after Lev in prison using Jay, there’s no telling what else he might do.

My thoughts turn to Claire, and a wave of protectiveness washes over me. I need to increase security around her and her family. Petrov might try to use them as leverage to force Jay’s hand.

When I’m putting my phone back into my pocket, I glance at my screen, and my stomach clenches. I’ve missed a call from Claire. She rarely calls first, and I immediately assume something is wrong.

I’m about to dial her back when my phone buzzes again with a call from an unknown number. I growl. It has to be Matvey. I hesitate for a heartbeat, knowing if I ignore the call, he’ll take it as confirmation that he hit a nerve. Gritting my teeth, I answer.

Matvey’s voice is smooth but laced with malice. “Valerian, my old friend. Lovely day for a drive, is it not?”

“What do you want, Matvey?” I keep my voice level, betraying nothing.

He chuckles, and the sound grates. “Straight to business. I like that about you. I hear you paid a visit to the hospital this morning. How’s Jay doing?”

The confirmation that Petrov’s people are tracking either my movements or have someone watching Jay at the hospital solidifies everything I suspected. “Cut the bullshit. What’s your game?”

“Game? No game, Valerian. Just checking in on an old acquaintance.” His tone shifts, becoming silky. “You know, it’s funny how small this city can be. I was just thinking about that lovely flower shop on Maple Street. What’s it called again? Bloom House?”

My blood runs cold. Claire.

“Charming little place,” he continues. “The kind of business where anyone could walk in. You never know who might stop by for a bouquet.”

His words hammer me, but I give away nothing. I let the silence stretch, refusing to rise to his bait.

“I won’t keep you,” he says, his voice dripping with false concern. “I’m sure you have important matters to attend to. Do give my regards to Claire, won’t you? Maybe put in a persuasive word with her uncooperative brother?”

I end the call without a word, already moving to dial Claire’s number. No answer. I try again. Straight to voicemail.

“Fuck,” I mutter, dialing Ivan. Nothing. Sergei. Nothing.

A slow, cold fury spreads through me as I finally call Anatoly. His response is immediate. “Sir?”

“Where’s Claire?”

A pause. “She went shopping with Ivan and Sergei earlier, but they haven’t returned.”

My grip on the phone tightens. “Thanks.” I turn to Dmitri, saying, “Find them. Now.”

I end the call, my mind racing. If Matvey was bluffing, he wouldn’t have named Claire specifically. The uneasy feeling crawling under my skin solidifies into something more dangerous.

“Everything okay, boss?” asks Viktor.

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