Page 13 of Surprise Quadruplets for the Mob

“Lev, get our best men on those bars. We need to know who comes and goes, especially any higher-ups. And don’t overlook the dancers, those girls can cause just as much trouble if they’re told to.”

“Understood.”

“And for fuck’s sake, keep an eye on Brennan Kelly,” I add, gritting my teeth. “If he so much as sneezes in the wrong direction, I want to know about it.”

Lev nods again. “Roger that, boss.”

“We keep the peace for now, but I want to prepare for the worst. If conflict is on the horizon, we need to be ready to retaliate with overwhelming force. I want our guys stocked up on weapons and ammo, and make sure everyone’s trained and prepared for the fight of their lives.” Both men nod as I drum my fingers on the desk. “Okay, now, what else?”

“Looks like we’ve got another fuckin’ scammer on our hands,” Alyosha announces. “This one’s claiming to have cancer, but it’s all bullshit. Just like the others. They’re just taking people’s money without giving them anything to show for it.”

I clench my fists, feeling annoyance bubble within me. These goddamn scammers are everywhere, like cockroaches. I’m all for being on the opposite side of the law, obviously, but guns, drugs, prostitutes… These may all be things my people supply, but it’s different. If we weren’t here, people would still find somewhere to get what they’re looking for, no matter what. But these stupid fucking scammers affect good people who wouldn’t otherwise get mixed up in dumb shit, people who don’t deserve it. They’re cowardly, pathetic parasites.

“What do you know?”

“Looks like they’ve been working online mostly, setting up fake donation pages, using sob stories to reel people in,” he explains, his hands nervously fidgeting with his laptop as he finally looks up to make eye contact.

I swear he’d be happier if he could plug in directly to that fucking machine, but I’m not complaining. He might not be able to hold a conversation without looking shady as fuck, but he can work miracles with electronics.

“Tell me again why we care about this shit?” Lev says, leaning back in his seat with an annoyed sigh.

“Because I said so,” I growl.

“But what’s it got to do with us?” Lev continues. “Since when do we care about the general fucking populace, anyway?”

“This is our turf,” I say with a glare at Lev, “and the people on it, our responsibility. I won’t have someone coming in and taking advantage ofourarea.”

“The scams seem unrelated on the surface,” Alyosha says with a slow look my way, “and as Maksim has pointed out while going through some of the information with me earlier, they have similarities. Sort of like a signature. A calling card. Makes me think there’s some sort of mastermind behind the whole thing, pulling the strings while everyone else does his dirty work. And the timing of it, with what’s going on with the Irish… Doesn’t feel right.”

“Keep digging.” I say with a warning look at Lev, who sighs again and throws his hands up in surrender. “Better safe than sorry. If there is a mastermind, I want to know who it is—and the sooner, the better.”

“Understood, boss. I’ll keep you updated.”

My own interest in the matter isn’t just about the scams themselves, it’s personal. The memory of my best friend Sasha flashes before my eyes—the hospital bed, the machines, the pain etched across his face as he fought ARPKD until his last breath. People like these scammers are making a mockery of his suffering, exploiting the goodwill of others for their own twisted gain, and it justpersonally pisses me off. If it’s not going to hurt the Bratva to deal with the fuckers, then I don’t see an issue in doing a public fucking service to alleviate my own mood about it. Fuck them.

“Can’t stand these fucking parasites,” I mutter as the IT guy leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

I lean back in my chair, gritting my teeth at the thoughts of Sasha now plaguing me, and I force my mind away. Withoutmeaning to, my thoughts wander towards something that’s been occupying me more than I’d like to admit. A memory of the fundraiser, of a woman with a smile that could light up the darkest corners of my world.

Abby.

Alyosha’s footsteps fade down the hallway, and Lev quirks a brow. “You’ve been on edge lately.”

“Let’s just say I’ve had a lot on my mind,” I reply, allowing myself to relax a bit in the presence of my trusted friend. “The Irish, the scammers…all these fucking pests.”

“And the woman you met at the fundraiser?” he asks with a knowing smirk. “Abby Foxworthy, wasn’t it?”

“You’re not here to gossip about my love life,” I snap, though my annoyance is half-hearted at best. He’s right, though. She’s been on my mind nonstop lately. It’s no surprise he’s noticed. The only real shock is that he hasn’t said anything before now.

“Come on, Maks. We’ve known each other for years. We’re practically brothers. You can talk to me.”

I sigh, rubbing my temples as I consider whether or not to divulge my true feelings. “She was different, Lev. Special. Abby has this way about her—she’s good, genuine, gentle. She made me feel things I haven’t felt in a long time.”

“Sounds like she made quite an impression.” He leans back in his chair. “So why aren’t you pursuing her? What’s holding you back?”

“Because she’s…good. She’s a good girl, Lev, I can tell. She deserves better than this world. How can I drag someone likethat into all this shit, all this fighting and killing? Doesn’t matter how much I might want her.”

“What if she’s the piece of sanity you need in the middle of all the chaos? Your light at the end of the tunnel?”

---