Page 59 of Scarlet Sins

“Oh, good, you’re paying attention.”

“What is it?”

He’s speaking Russian, which tells me it’s important. “I’ve discovered some things you might be interested in. I think you said people were waiting in the wings to pick apart Niko’s holdings, and you had an eye on some land and some of his operations.”

“Someone else swoop in?”

I’m sure there’s a made man or a second in the wings, but that shit takes time to set up. Many will sell off or make deals. But the air Ilya’s wearing says that’s off the table.

“Niko’s cousin from out of town has just stepped in. Has his own setup already and taking over is a matter of simple expansion and absorption.”

“Does the cousin have a name?” I should know the name. The fact I don’t make it interesting. Niko was never one to hide powerful connections, so maybe there’s something there…

“Rocco.”

“What do we know about him?”

“Just the bare basics. He isn’t Chicago-based, doesn’t seem to have dealings here, but it makes sense for him to step in and take over.”

“Is he looking to sell?”

“He’s not as far as I know.”

“You win some, you lose some.” I shrug. “If he comes after me, I’ll lay it on the line what Niko did.”

“The cousin’s taking over, as I said, but that’s not the interesting part.”

“You better get to it,” I say, “or they’ll be hooking me up to some of this equipment soon.”

He just raises a brow and shoots me an unimpressed look. “Sir.”

I roll my eyes.

“Thing is, he’s got history with Sergio. It’s old, seemingly buried, but their subsidiaries still do business. I’m still digging. But… surely not a coincidence, right?”

I shrug again. I have to step carefully, as I’ve taken out two family members already. Right now, it’s on the borderline of balanced with what was done and recriminations, but… “Could be something, could be nothing.”

“Demyan.”

“We tread carefully. Send me his name and what you have, and Ilya?”

“Yes?”

“Find me proof that something underhanded is going on. If not with them, somewhere else.”

“Of course, I’ll clear my schedule.”

I switch to English. “How are you doing?”

“Bored shitless,” he says. “This is my link to sanity. Not to mention, I worry about you all with me not there to protect you.”

“I’m building a safe room.”

He just laughs and shakes his head. “That’s me.”

“You’re hooked up in here, going nowhere.”

“This is only until my checkup tomorrow and they’ll probably just downgrade me to the canula, no drip.”

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