Page 28 of Delicate Angel

“A few of my men have contacts in Canada. I asked them to reach out, and one of them got a hit.” Ruslan gave Nazyr men to be on his team when he brought our half-brother into the fold. I’m sure a lot of outsiders don’t know what to think, considering his father is the one who held power over the Umarova family well after when he should’ve relinquished control. Some whisper about Nazyr or Eset betraying us for what we did to their father, but they know he was a vile man. If anything, it was shocking that they so willingly aligned with us and our beliefs, and even though we don’t share the same father, it doesn’t matter. They’re both loyal to a fault.

“Have you confirmed it’s actually Artos yet?”

“No, but I have men on the way there now. They’re traveling at the current moment, but as soon as we have confirmation, I’ll be calling you and Ruslan straight away. I think it should only take another day or so before we know something else.”

“Okay, have you called Ruslan to let him know about this?” If my brother was smart, he would’ve called Ruslan first.

“Yes, I called him before I called you. I’m going to give Eset an update as well, but I’ll do that after you and I get off the phone.”

“Okay, and good job, Nazyr.” I don’t think my brother was ever really commended for good actions before, so I want him to know that we, as a family, are proud of him.

“I’ll call you both when I have more information, but I wanted to keep you updated.”

“Perfect. Thank you.”

Nazyr and I say our goodbyes and then hang up the phone. I look back out onto the horizon. It’s beautiful and all, but this isn’t home. A door closing causes me to turn and look behind me, and while I would love for it to be Emily, it isn’t. Instead, it’s Ludvik.

“Ludvik, I was hoping to see you.”

Ludvik walks further into the hotel suite and places his keys down on a table in the corridor. “What’s up, boss?”

“I was wondering if you heard anything about Emily’s child.”

Ludvik purses his lips together in a flat line before he says anything. “I don’t have anything definitive right now, but I still have feelers out there. I made a connection with someone who works with some cartels. They’ve been in the business for a long time, and they’ve found some connections with human trafficking around that time period. I’m going to need some more information from you, such as a potential birth date and all that. Do you think you could get it for me?”

“Yeah, I’m sure I can get some details for you.” I’m sure Emily gave me a couple of details, but she didn’t give me everything. With a little bit of poking and prodding, I’m sure I can find out more.

In the back of my mind, I debate setting up a meeting with Julio Ramirez. If the child was trafficked, there’s a good chance the baby passed through his ring… but it would be foolish of meto set up a meeting until I had solid information. Just as it would be foolish for us to head to Canada without really knowing if Artos is there or not.

A meeting with Julio Ramirez would mean crossing business with personal interests as well, and there’s no way I’d be able to keep my cool if I was in front of him.

When it comes to everything else here in Atlanta, specifically with the Steele family, things are going flawlessly. They let us know what they need from us, and we make sure to deliver by the dates they’ve set in place. Between our two families, we don’t have anything to worry about. The Umarovas are powerful in our own rite, but the Steeles have power associated with their name as well.

It really makes me think that while I’m still here in Atlanta, I should be looking into things for Emily. Ludvik is doing a good job with the connections he has, and I know if anything turns up, he’s going to tell me… but I can at least support Emily in other ways.

Until Ludvik comes back with more information, I can’t really do much. All I can do is twiddle my thumbs and wait, but Emily’s going to be facing her family very soon to let them know about the baby in the first place. From everything she’s said to me, her parents won’t be supportive or have welcoming arms. They were raised a certain way, and that means things are more difficult than we’d like.

I hope they don’t try to ostracize her for her choices. She was only a child when she made them. A scared, desperate child at that. I can only imagine what would’ve been running through my mind if I were in her shoes. In my opinion, it’s only natural that Emily went to her aunt for help because who else can you trust besides family? It’s unfortunate that events have played out the way they have, but no one can go back in time and turn the tables.

I’m going to do what I can for Emily, whether that means digging deeper with Ludvik or simply being by her side. We’re going to get through this mess together, no matter how rough it gets.

“The concierge did ask me to relay a message to you. They wanted to know if you’ll be extending your stay or if the last day of booking is the final day you’re here.”

“It’ll be the final day,” I tell Ludvik, and the fact Emily hasn’t told me about her decision plagues my mind. I pray she wants to go back to Grozny with me, but if she doesn’t, I’ll make sure to find another way the two of us can be together.

No matter what it takes, I’m not giving up on how great we are together.

Chapter Fifteen

Emily

Today has been the worst fucking day at work ever. I mean it too! I’m not exaggerating in the least bit. Michael’s been nothing but a total fucking asshole, and when I say he’s been an asshole, I mean a royal one. He made another sexual remark toward me under his breath this morning. It was so low that only I could hear it as he walked by, and then he stared at me like I was the star of an upcoming wet dream. It was disgusting and exhausting at the same time.

Kim and I have been working on a project together, which has been a total delight. Out of all my coworkers, Kim is my favorite, hands down. Not only does he have the best fashion sense, but I can talk to him about anything. It doesn’t matter if it’s personal or business. He’s always got some sort of reply for me.

“What’s with your sour puss attitude?” Kim asks as he rounds the corner, seeing me staring down at my desktop.

I look up at him and try not to glare, but I feel like one’s been stuck on my face for half of the day already. “I’m just over the boss, literally. I’m tired of how much of a pervert he is, and it’s disgusting. I feel like I don’t even have to say that. Of course, it’s disgusting when he does the same shit to me. This is exactly why I needed to get away in the first place, and it’s why I’m seriously thinking about Lom’s proposal,” I huff, releasing every bit of pent-up energy that I have.

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