Page 109 of Arranged Control

How can I be happy when it’s very possible someone I love will get murdered soon?

But I’m happy. It’s strange, but it’s the truth. Any other time in my life and I’d be itching to get out of the apartment just like Finn. I haven’t spent an entire day at home in years. Walking the streets, working the houses and the corners, checking in on our businesses. I’ve always kept busy.

Today, all I want is to stay with her.

It can’t last.

And I know I’m fucked when I see her brother’s number show up on my phone.

I kiss her quickly and take the call upstairs.

“I have something for you,” Taras says, sounding very fucking smug, which immediately puts me on edge.

“You’ve been looking into Molchanie?”

“It’s weird thinking of her that way. She’s always beenthat bitchin my head.”

“I’m not really interested in your messed-up family dynamics right now.”

“Really? You’re a part of them now.”

“No thanks.”

He laughs, low and menacing. “Here’s what I have. I spent the last day combing through my father’s financial documents. He gave me access to the family accounts years ago, but it’s a goddamn tangled mess of shells within shells all hiding more dirty cash than you’d believe.”

“Actually, I’m in the life too, so trust me, I know how it goes.”

“I didn’t notice it at first. He’s been hiding this shit under my nose for decades. But there’s an account, one that has no other connection or function, assigned to some random shell company called…” He trails off dramatically.

“Just spit it out, Taras.”

“Silence Limited.” He says this like it’s supposed to mean something.

“Okay?”

He sighs. “You don’t speak any Russian, do you? Molchanie meanssilence.”

It finally clicks. Silence Limited. Molchanie.

“Your father knew.”

“Yes, I think so.”

“That motherfucker.”

“What would the information have changed?”

“I don’t know, but something.” I pace around the room, struggling to maintain my composure. Fucking Ruslan lied from the start. He knew Alina’s mother was working as an assassin called Molchanie. He knew the second she was back in town. He’s known foryears. “How much is in the account?”

“There were a few million.”

“I don’t like that past tense.”

“Yesterday, someone took out half. Transferred it to an account I don’t recognize.”

“Your father?”

“I don’t think so. Someone else with the access information.”