Page 71 of Beneath the Light of the Moon

“And what would hers be?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. I’ve searched her name in our databases and nothing pops up. She’s never been related to our business, the mob, or any clients we’ve dealt with. At least on paper.

“I’ve followed her and searched through her house. There was and is nothing to be found to connect her to all of this outside of a gut feeling and coincidences,” Mikko finished.

“Alek was never one for believing in those,” Cristiano mumbled. “Wait, she approached you atBubblegum? Where the fuck was I?”

Mikko sighed. “It was the night we interrogated Ivan, but you’d wandered off and she cornered me.”

His friend looked him up and down. “You’re hardly someone who’s easy to corner. You think she’s hot, don’t you?”

A pause. Then, “No.”

“Liar,” Cristiano smacked the table. “Of course the one time I’m not by your side, you get hit on by a woman.”

“Maybe it’s actuallyyouwho’s scaring them off.” Mikko’s tone was teasing.

“You better let me meet her, I need to know who cracked Mr.Romanov’s steely facade. I bet she could melt you in—”

“Anyway,” Mikko interrupted, “the signs are pointing to her. While our men usually favor brute force—a moment to teach a lesson—this is more calculated.”

Cristiano’s brow raised, signally he’d let the subject change slide this time, but he’d be pressing about Anika later no doubt. “You know I stand with you no matter what. At first, I thought it was Ivan’s lifestyle and debt catching up to him. I mean, it was only a matter of time. That man could hardly keep food on the table for his family.” His dark eyes flicked up toward the sleek ceiling in contemplation. The soft, ambient lighting in the restaurant colored Cristiano’s deep brown skin in warmth. “If not Anika, then maybe it was his wife?”

“Would his wife be able to break into my penthouse, steal the keys found in Ivan’s body, and edit out her entire presence being there?”

Cristiano’s eyes met Mikko’s. “A scorned woman is capable of anything.”

Mikko’s voice was low. “Exactly, and until I know what Anika’s angle is, she could be that scorned woman.”

“True. Anger mixed with passion and revenge would be enough fuel for anyone to cut someone up, let alone go for the eyes; if it was money she was after, eyes do sell for a fair amount on the black market.”

“Whoever it was, they knew how to make a statement. There’s got to be a connection between his mutilation and making someone ‘see’ something.” Mikko mused. Something he hadn’t thought of popped into his head while talking to Cristiano. Maybe Anika’s motivedidhave something to do with Romanov Real Estate, and she was trying to show him.

His friend piped up as the waiter returned with their replenished drinks, “Now there’s a twisted thought.” A couple seconds passed and Cristiano spoke again. “Do you think she hasthem in a jar somewhere?”

With a snort, Mikko could only shake his head and sip his vodka while his friend speculated about Anika’s alleged science experiments.

* * *

THE REST OF dinner with Cristiano had been uneventful, his friend making him promise to not do anything stupid while he was alone when it came to Anika. She was unpredictable with a background they had no record of.

But Mikko was feeling restless. If she killed Ivan, that type of violence and precision would indicate it wasn’t her first time. She should be in the system for something: petty crimes which could escalate to torture and murder. Still, every time he searched her name, nothing appeared. She was squeaky clean in every way. Although paper had a tendency of lying, and Mikko feared this was the case.

He might have to call in another favor…

Dialing Devon, Mikko waited for him to answer. He was still parked outside of the restaurant, sitting in his idling car where the valet had left it for him. The sky darkened overhead with the promise of another storm, but for now, it held off.

“Long time, no see, Mikko,” the man finally responded. “What can I do for ya?”

“I know you’re busy with Ivan’s murder, but I have a favor to call in. I may have a lead and need someone with a bit more tech skills to chase it down,” Mikko said.

“I know of someone.”

“Are they trustworthy?”

Devon scoffed. “They have to be to work with me.”

“Good point. How fast do they work?” Mikko checked his sidemirror before pulling out into the streets. It was getting late and most were heading home in preparation for the workday tomorrow. Mikko had other plans.