Page 227 of Bossy Hero

“I got ya.” Mia rewinds the video. “Lettie, feel free to correct me if I mistranslate anything.” She gives her a playful side-eye.

“Will do,” Lettie tosses, beaming like the freaking sun.

Once it’s back to the part when Katia enters Lenkov’s office, Mia translates.

“Kirkland called me.”

There’s a pause, and then Lenkov answers, “And?”

“He cleared Tampa and says you should split the loads between the ports. Everything that’s already in Miami should leave from there. The rest you can change to Tampa.”

“Of course, they aren’t saying exactly what they’re moving,” I grumble in frustration.

Mia provides a recap of Lenkov’s seething response. “So now, he’s essentially cussing up a storm. Nothing of importance.”

Lettie jokes, “I beg to differ. This is the most important part. I’d love to know how Russians curse.” She whispers to Tomer loud enough for everyone to hear. “Tell me what he’s saying, babe. Don’t hold back.”

“Lots of F-bombs, something about a horse’s urethra, and I think he called the mayor a...” Tomer slopes his head to the side, his gaze unfocused. “What would you call that, Mia?Zasranets? Doesn’t that mean diarrhea?”

“It does. Based on context, I assume he means asshole or maybe shithole. Could be a shitass. It isn’t literal diarrhea.”

Shep barges in at the best time, given his maturity level. “Who’s got literal diarrhea?”

Lettie’s quick with a retort. “Apparently, the mayor. He eitherhasit orisit. Stay tuned to see which.”

“That tracks with what I know about politicians,” Kri quips, following a step behind Shep.

“Pause the video, Mia,” I order, my tone masking my annoyance. “No sense in trying to listen while everyone is gathering.”

Junior, Leo, and Sue enter the lair, suddenly making it feel much smaller.

I provide a quick rundown of what’s transpired, including the call from the mayor.

Sawyer comes tripping in right as I wrap up. If he wants a recap, it’s not coming from me. Fuck that. I’ve officially lost my patience.

“Lionheart, you can get him up to speed later.” I shift my attention to the monitor. “Resume playback, Mia.”

“Here we go.” She clicks the space bar.

When Nikolai’s profanity eventually ends, Mia continues translating. “I need to call Bowen before I decide.”

“No, my love. It’s too dangerous. They’re watching him closely.”

Huxley Bowen, the Miami Port Authority director, is one of the few from the list of seventy-two trafficking customers who haven’t been arrested yet. The only victim who could remember enough about him to be a credible witness is fourteen, and her parents won’t let her testify.

As for the other seventy-one, Lettie has convinced several trafficking victims to serve as witnesses or provide enough information to law enforcement to obtain confessions. Each time another rapist goes to jail, she stands a little taller. I couldn’t be prouder of her. There’s still about two dozen who haven’t been arrested. But we won’t stop until justice is served.

In the playback, Lenkov continues, “Moving to Tampa might be better if the GI Joes are all in Miami. Maybe we should move everything and not half.”

“If he’s talking about us, that’s beyond offensive,” Kri huffs, then clicks her tongue. “GIJoes. Sexist.”

Katia says, “I know you’re not asking me, but I think staying the course with Miami is best.”

“You’re right. I’m not asking you.” There’s a pause, then he says, “But I’m curious why you think this?”

“We know law enforcement will be minimal down there. And Bowen has good reason to uphold his end of the deal. We are better prepared for Miami, even if Redleg is there.”

“And Tampa?”

---