Page 31 of The Russian Retribution

The last entry is from a month before Sergey died. Before that, there are four pages filled with amounts that haven’t been scratched off and my heart sinks as the recent names catch my eye.

They’re all Cartel members.

“Shit,” I murmur softly. “Youasshole.”

Anastasia let slip something about debt last week at the hospital and I didn’t think much of it, but the arrival of the Cartel in the city and this book make everything clear. Sergey was borrowing money. An eye-watering amount, from the looks of things, and he’s been doing it for decades. But for some reason, he stopped paying it back.

That debt now lands on Anastasia’s shoulders and if the Cartel are here, it’s clear they’ve grown tired of waiting.

Is this the connection I’m looking for?

A sudden murmur of voices in the hallway makes my heart jump. I shove the book back where it belongs, close the drawer, and leap from the chair. After a glance around the office to ensure everything is as it should be, I slip out into the hall and close the door just as Faina and one of the night guards walk around the corner.

“And I need you to make sure that the west—Erik?” Faina’s eyes narrow and she glances between me and the door to Anastasia’s office. “What are you doing?”

I shrug as casually as I can. “What do you mean? I was just passing by.”

“No you weren’t. I saw you come out of there. Anastasia is upstairs. What were you…?”

My mind races with an excuse and turns my pleasant smile into a frown. “The door was open. Given how high on alert we are, I had to check that nothing was amiss. The last thing we need is someone slipping in here and causing harm because someone took their eye off the ball. And if you’re directing the guards…” I glance coldly at the security member next to her. “It’s no wonder I’m finding open doors everywhere. Try and be more careful.”

Faina’s eyes widen in shock, and I’m not sure she completely buys my excuse, but it doesn’t matter.

I need to find Viktor.

“The Cartel?” Viktor drags in a long, slow breath around his cigar. When he breathes, the smoke is carried away in the light breeze drifting through the patio. This late at night, the stars areout in force and the moon is so bright, I can see all the way to the back gate.

“Yup. Don’t you see what this means? Sergey was in debt. Pretty deep debt.”

“Yes.” Viktor nods, but he doesn’t seem all that surprised by my revelation.

“Did you know?” I ask, fighting to keep the slight accusatory tone out of my voice.

“Oh, of course not, my boy. If I did, I would have told you.” He drags on his cigar again and glances at me. “Although I know Sergey was searching for ways to expand the business. I simply thought he was being savvy in keeping us relevant in this race to control organized crime.”

“So you have no idea that he was so deep in debt with the Cartel that they would be pissed?”

“If we are in debt,” Viktor says, “and I’m not saying we are because that book could be anything, really, then I can see why the Cartel would be pissed.”

“Exactly. Look.” I step closer. “Anastasia let slip about the debt. She’s been keeping it a secret, probably because she doesn’t want to worry anyone. Now the Cartel are here, and she’s completely closed off.”

“Because she’s a cunt,” Viktor mutters.

I ignore that. “Don’t you see the connection? This is what we’ve been missing! They killed Sergey because he wouldn’t pay, and now they’re after Anastasia for the same thing. And each attempt has failed, so now they’re here openly.”

“No.”

My mind falters at his sudden denial. “No?”

“The Cartel wouldn’t kill their key to millions. That’s hardly a good business move.”

“You don’t understand. He’s owed them money for years, Viktor. It makes total sense that they got tired of waiting.”

“No.” He shakes his head again and turns to face me. “She’s blinded you.”

Frustration bubbles in my chest, and the chill of the wind is no longer enough to keep the heat from my skin. “No,” I snap. “You’re the one who’s blinded.”

“Am I?” He raises one bushy brow. “Tell me. What makes more sense? The Cartel kills their money maker, making it impossible for them to get a penny they owe, or she killed him for some pathetic power grab and now is faced with a debt she didn’t expect? Why didn’t the Cartel make a move sooner, if that’s the case? Did you even consider that Sergey could have had something in place to appease the Cartel? Something that hasn’t been upkept because he was murdered and the culprit had no idea?”

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