Page 74 of The Mafia King's Baby

“I’ll consider everything, but I can’t make promises about outcomes I don’t control.”

“There’s more evidence.” I lower my voice so the other agents can’t hear. “Much more. Everything you need to prove the conspiracy.”

“Where?”

I tilt my chin, aware of Leonid stiffening beside me. “It’s all safe in a secure location, but I’m not revealing it until I know Yefrem won’t be prosecuted for crimes he didn’t commit.”

Patricia nods in understanding. “Fair enough, but you should know that even if he’s innocent of conspiracy charges, he’s still admitted to killing federal agents.”

“In self-defense. To protect innocent people.”

She shakes her head. “That’s a legal determination that prosecutors and juries make, not us.”

The reminder of legal realities cuts through my emotional response to the situation. Regardless of circumstances or justifications, Yefrem has killed federal agents. Even if those agents were corrupt, even if he was protecting innocent lives, the legal system doesn’t automatically excuse vigilante justice. It’s ridiculously unfair. “What happens now?”

“We investigate all the evidence, all the claims and counterclaims.” Patricia gestures toward the destroyed apartment. “This scene tells a story, and we need to make sure we understand that story correctly.”

I’m not ready to give up yet. “The story is that corrupt federal agents tried to murder you, and Yefrem prevented it.”

She doesn’t appear affected by my passionate words. “That’s your version of the story. Other people might interpret the evidence differently.”

The possibility that they might twist tonight’s events to support charges against Yefrem makes me furious and scared. I can already imagine how skilled prosecutors might present the facts—a known criminal lures a federal law enforcement officer to an isolated location, violence ensues, and agents die in the crossfire.

“I need to see him.”

She looks vaguely regretful. “That might not be possible immediately. Federal detention facilities have strict procedures for visitor access.”

“I’m pregnant with his child.” The words come out before I can stop them, desperation overriding discretion. “I have rights as the mother of his unborn baby.”

Patricia’s expression softens slightly. “It doesn’t work that way, but how far along?”

“Seven weeks. Still early, but...” I place my hand protectively over my stomach. “This stress isn’t good for either of us.”

She nods. “I’ll see what I can do, but you should understand pregnancy doesn’t override security protocols in federal facilities.”

I’m almost sorry we saved her for a moment, hating how unaffected she is by my trauma. “Please. I just need to know he’s safe.”

“He’ll be safe. Whatever else happens, he’ll be treated according to federal standards for detention and processing.”

That does nothing to eliminate my fears about what those standards might include. “Because your people have been so upstanding and law-abiding so far,” I say with heavy irony. Federal detention isn’t known for comfort or consideration, especially for suspects in violent crimes against law enforcement officers.

Her mouth tightens, but she doesn’t offer a counterargument as Lipsey approaches us while the tactical team finishes securing the scene. “Assistant Director, I need a full debrief on how this meeting was arranged, and who knew about the location.”

“Of course.” She surprises me by saying, “I want it on record that the Russian man in custody saved my life tonight.”

“Noted, but I also need it on record that multiple federal agents are dead, and we need to understand how that happened.”

I listen to their conversation with growing dread. The focus seems to be shifting toward Yefrem’s culpability rather than the corruption that created this situation. Every official response treats him as the criminal rather than recognizing him as someone who risked everything to expose the real crimes.

“Where’s the evidence you mentioned to the assistant director?” Lipsey addresses me directly for the first time.

I square my shoulders. “Safe, and it stays safe until I know Yefrem won’t be prosecuted for protecting innocent people.”

He scowls at me. “That’s not how federal investigations work. You don’t get to negotiate the terms of evidence disclosure.”

I cross my arms over my chest, returning his glower. “Then I guess you don’t get the evidence that proves federal agents were planning to murder Assistant Director Hendricks.”

The standoff feels dangerous, but I’m not backing down. Yefrem risked his life to save Patricia and expose corruption. I won’t let that sacrifice be twisted into justification for prosecuting him as a criminal.

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