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I gave Hudson’s hand a gentle squeeze before pulling it back. “I’ll give you guys some privacy.”

I had barely turned when Hudson’s voice cut through the room. “Stay.”

I paused.

“This is your fight, too,” he added, his eyes locking with mine. “You’ve earned your seat at this table, Tabitha.”

It was just one sentence.

Just a few random words.

But they meant the world to me. I swallowed down the knot in my throat and gave a small nod before taking hold of his hand once again. Together, we walked into the room and over to Sergei’s desk. Hudson’s tone was unwavering as he told him, “We have things to discuss.”

“Okay.” Sergie stood and motioned over to the table in the corner. “Have a seat, and I’ll make us all a drink.”

Viktor followed Hudson and me over to the table while Nikolai and Sergei poured us each a glass of brandy. They brought the drinks over and sat down across from us. No one said anything right away, and it was like waiting for the first domino to fall. When I couldn’t stand the silence a moment longer, I turned to Sergei and said, “Hudson and I have been talking, and we have some thoughts.”

“Your mother has some thoughts, and you should consider what she has to say.”

With that, Hudson turned the conversation over to me. I told them everything I’d told Hudson, and they were able to understand in ways Hudson couldn’t. Even though I’d tried to protect them from it, they’d grown up in this world. They were part of it. I would always see them as my three precious boys with rosy cheeks and footed pajamas, but they were men now.

They were all grown up with minds of their own.

I had no way of knowing what they would think of everything I’d told them. I wasn’t even sure they’d believe me, but then Sergei gave that look. I knew it well. It was a look he gave anytime he set his mind to something, and I knew once he gave it, there would be no backing down.

“What do we need to do?”

“We need to figure out exactly what he’s been up to.”

“And how are we going to do that?” Viktor leaned forward with narrowed eyes. “I mean, hell, even if he is up to something, we have no way to prove it. We don’t exactly have access to Volkov financials.”

Hudson smirked as he swirled his brandy. “Actually, I think you might, and it’s a lot closer than you might think.”

Viktor’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Your little friend in the basement.” I had no idea who they were talking about. I’d never heard them mention anyone living in the basement, but Hudson seemed to know all about him. “He’s got the means to do just about anything when it comes to money.”

“You think he can get into Vasili’s accounts?”

“I know he can. It’s what he does.”

“Well, we’ve had him locked down tight for weeks. Figured we’d squeeze him for something eventually. Looks like now’s the time.”

Sergei nodded slowly, the idea settling in like a puzzle piece snapping into place. “If we can tie Vasili to an unsanctioned operation… if he’s skimming off the top or moving product without the family’s blessing...”

“Then we have leverage,” Hudson finished. “And a damn good reason to make a move without painting a target on your backs.”

He leaned back in his chair, eyes on the fire crackling in the corner. “Let’s get it done.”

21

PREACHER

"He’s really down there?”

“That’s what they tell me.”

“And he’s alive and well?”