Page 141 of Toxic Salvation
“Start the drumroll,” he orders, smacking his lips together for emphasis. “I’m giving you… Denis Volkov.”
Pavel shoots to his feet, his phone clattering to the floor. “You killed Denis?!”
Osip rolls his eyes. “No, of course not. That bastard is bulletproof. Not to mention, he’s always surrounded by muscle. I mean, I’ve found a way to get him on your side.”
The information forces me out of my chair. “Impossible.”
“Very possible.” Osip grins. “Do I get that kiss now, or what?”
Pavel shakes his head. “It’s disturbing how badly you want Kovan to kiss you.”
“Both of you shut the hell up and get serious,” I snap. “Osip, are you serious right now? We’ve always thought Denis was loyal to Ihor the way Ihor was loyal to my father.”
“Please. Ihor doesn’t command loyalty. The bastard only knows how to buy, lie, bribe, and threaten his way through life. None of his men are with him because they want to be. So, I thought to myself, why should Denis be any different?”
“You found dirt on him?”
“Indeed, I did. Because I’m a genius. Not to mention, devastatingly handsome. And also blessed with a huge, swinging?—”
“Well?” I demand. “What is it?”
“First, tell me how smart and handsome I am.”
“For fuck’s sake, Osip! Just tell me before I beat the information out of you.”
Osip turns to Pavel and pouts dramatically. “And here I thought I’d get a kiss.”
“Osip, goddammit!”
“Okay, okay.” He holds up his hands in surrender. “I had our guys in Russia do some digging into Denis’s childhood home. He still sends money there every month. I figured he was taking care of aging parents or whatever. That was the story for years. Turns out—his parents died a decade ago.”
“He has a woman there,” I conclude.
“Not just any woman. He has awifethere. And two daughters.”
I frown, trying to piece this together. “Wait… Something doesn’t add up. Wasn’t there talk about Denis marrying some stripper he met in Vegas a few years ago?”
“It wasn’t a rumor!” Osip looks ready to break into a victory dance. “I did some digging in Vegas, too, and I found their marriage certificate. Hedidmarry a stripper in an Elvis chapel three years ago. Witnessed by two drunk tourists and The King himself.”
“So—he committed bigamy,” I say slowly.
“Yup!” Osip pops thepfor emphasis. “He’s gottwowives,twosets of kids, and a whole lot of guilt. That’s what Ihor has been holding over his head this entire time. It’s Ihor’s house that Denis’s family is living in, in Moscow.”
“That son of a bitch,” I hiss. “He’s holding them hostage… controlling Denis by threatening their safety.”
“Exactly. Denis can’t make a move without Ihor’s permission because one phone call from Ihor, and his wife and daughters disappear.”
“We have to get both women to safety,” I decide immediately. “Denis knew what he was doing when he married the stripper. He didn’t annul the marriage or divorce her, which means he cares about this woman. As for the wife and kids in Russia—he’s been supporting them faithfully for years. They matter to him, too.” I start pacing behind my desk. “If we can get them out from under Ihor’s control, we can get Denis on our team. And if we have Denis…”
“We have access to Ihor,” Pavel finishes.
“Yes.” I clap my hands together. “Osip, you beautiful bastard.”
Osip’s grinning like the oversized child he is. “Pucker up, baby!”
I grab his head and plant a kiss right on his bald forehead. Then I push him away and clap my hands together. “Bring me Denis. Right now.”
As thevorsgather in my office, I study their faces. These are men who, until recently, belonged to Ihor. He owned them through blackmail, threats, and fear.
