Page 35 of The Mafia's Fake Wife

Anton pulls out another document. “There’s something else you should know. The feds have intensified their investigation since Nikolai came back. They’re looking at both of you, trying to find leverage.”

I meet Anton’s gaze. “They’ll approach Elena.”

“It’s only a matter of time. They’ll try to turn her against you, use her as an informant.”

The thought of federal agents questioning Elena, pressuring her, makes my blood boil. Her shield of respectability is the reason I married her, so I shouldn’t be outraged at the idea of them approaching her, but I am. Our marriage started as a business arrangement, but things have changed. I’ve changed.

“She needs to know what she’s up against. All of it.”

Anton raises an eyebrow. “You trust her that much?”

“She’s my wife,” I say simply.

“A wife you’ve known for a few weeks. A wife who married you for money.”

I fix him with a cold stare. “A wife who’s kept her end of our bargain. A wife who deserves to know that her ex-boyfrienddidn’t just steal her money. He was targeting her from the beginning and has done the same to other women.”

Anton studies me for a long moment, then nods. “Fair enough.”

I stand, decision made. “Find Harris. I want to know exactly what he’s planning, and I have some plans for him.”

He rises, tucking the file under his arm. “I have two men tracking Casey.”

“Good.” I walk around the desk, clapping him gently on his uninjured shoulder. “How’s the arm?”

“Hurts like hell,” he says with a wry smile. “Your wife’s a good surgeon though. She said I’m healing faster than expected.”

The mention of Elena brings a small smile to my face. “She’s good at what she does.”

Anton studies me with knowing eyes. “This is more than business now, isn’t it?”

I don’t answer immediately. The truth is complicated. When I first proposed our arrangement, it was purely practical. I needed an alibi, and she needed money. Simple. Clean. Yet nothing about Elena is simple. “She’s my wife,” I say finally. “That makes her family, and we protect family.”

He nods, accepting my non-answer. “I’ll keep digging. There might be more connections between Casey and Nikolai that we haven’t found yet.”

“Focus on recent activity. I want to know what they’re planning now, and if it has anything to do with Elena.”

“Will do, but I don’t think she’ll be targeted, except because she’s now your wife. I don’t think Nikolai knew anything aboutCasey’s side hustle of seducing and defrauding rich women, and he would have had no reason to order Casey to target Elena back then, before she came into your life.”

“Agreed.”

Anton moves toward the door, then pauses. “What are you going to tell Elena?”

I consider this for a moment. “Everything she needs to know to stay safe.”

“And about Casey? About how he targeted her specifically?”

The thought of telling Elena that her relationship with Casey was built on lies makes my stomach twist. She’s already been hurt enough, but she deserves to know everything. “I’ll tell her the truth. I’m sure she’d rather know than not.”

Anton nods and leaves, closing the door quietly behind him. I return to my desk and spread out the photos again, studying Casey’s face. The man who hurt Elena and works for my enemy. Gambler. Thief. Informant. The man who broke Elena’s heart just to steal her inheritance. The rage I’ve been controlling bubbles to the surface.

I gather the files and lock them in my desk drawer. Tonight, I’ll tell Elena everything. The clock on the wall chimes noon, and I turn back to the window. Six hours until Elena comes home.

I stare at the phone near my hand, Anton’s revelations pressing down on me. Six hours suddenly seems too long to wait. The federal agents could approach Elena at any moment, and she needs to be prepared. I press her contact and wait as the phone rings three times before she answers.

“Damir? Is everything okay?” Her voice carries that mix of concern and warmth that’s become familiar to me over these past weeks.

“Everything’s fine,” I say, keeping my tone casual despite the urgency I feel. “I wanted to check in. How’s your shift going?”

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