Page 130 of Beautifully Ruined

“I’m getting there.”

“Like a slow-moving glacier in an ice age, maybe.” I shake my head. “But sure, you take your time. It’s not like a girl’s life’s on the line or anything.”

“Fine, fine,” he mutters begrudgingly. “I’ll tell you.”

“My breath’s bated, and I’ve got the tenterhooks out.”

This time, he rolls his eyes at me. But then he rolls his chair back. “Look here. It’s so small and innocuous even I almost missed it, but…I found this.”

“Another link to some online inventory. I saw.”

But he shakes his head. “Looks like that, but it’s a grubby little backdoor link to another account, one that’s completely separate to the club. And it shows several large incoming payments. They happen not quite like clockwork, but regularly.”

I put my glasses on. “Large as in sums in the millions. Each time. Fuck, I missed this link.”

“Did you look for it?” Enzo asks.

“No. I trust you, but I’ve seen this shit before. It’s almost perfect because it’s fucking simple.”

“I know.”

I sit back, sip my coffee. “What do you think the payments are for?”

“Fucked if I know. They don’t come with a memo.”

I ignore him. “Do you think you can trace them?

“I’m already on it. And I’ll let you know as soon as I do.”

I blow out a breath. “Heard anything about Ivan?”

“He’s dropped off the fucking face of the planet.”

“That’s not true. He’s here, somewhere. Hiding out at the embassy or in Russia, or…something.” I look at Enzo. “Maybe it’s time to give Uncle Gino a call.”

Enzo breathes out. “I’ll think about it, man.”

“Let me know.”

We’ve been at work all day and our regular job’s done, and I know Enzo’s going to want to poke around in the club business some more, follow the newest lead with the payouts.

I pack up, and leave, texting Vi.

Me:Spoken to your friend yet?

Violet:No! Still at work. Heading out with her when we’re done.

Me:Tread carefully. Don’t reveal too much. Not until we can be sure we can trust this work friend of yours. Gianna’s life might depend on it.

Chapter Twenty-Four

VIOLET

Cade’s hoveringand reminders to be careful are both annoying as hell and cute. Annoying because he’s treating me like I’m a child, and cute because I know he doesn’t think I’m stupid, but he loves me and is being protective.

I subtly check the time. I’ve finished my work. The congressman is in Washington DC today, so there isn’t a lot of work to do. Not important last minute crisis mode work as I like to call it when he’s got things on here in New York.

Like with any politician there’s a lot that goes into any and all public outings, from speeches down to topics to talk about to remembering names or even outfit choices. It’s a wild amount of work and while I don’t do a lot of that, or I won’t down the road when I get a job in the field, knowing all the things that need to go on are important.