Page 37 of Bride of the Bratva King (Blood & Bride #1)

Chapter thirty-three

The Choice

M ila

The FBI meeting takes place in a conference room that looks like something out of a spy thriller—floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Manhattan, a polished table that could seat twenty, and enough technology to run a small government.

Agent Mariana Castillo sits across from us with three other federal officials whose names and titles suggest this conversation is more important than she initially let on. Viktor's USB drive rests in the center of the table like evidence in a trial that could change everything.

"Mrs. Morozov," Agent Castillo begins, "before we discuss the contents of your brother's files, I need to understand your intentions."

"Our intentions?" I ask.

"What you and your husband plan to do with the information Viktor compiled. Whether you're here to cooperate with federal law enforcement or to negotiate terms for your own benefit."

I glance at Alexei, who's sitting beside me in his most intimidating business suit, looking every inch the dangerous criminal these people probably think he is.

We spent hours last night planning this conversation, anticipating every question and preparing responses that serve our long-term strategy.

"We're here to discuss a partnership," I say finally.

"What kind of partnership?"

"The kind where everyone gets what they want. You get the evidence you need to clean up corruption. We get the legitimacy we need to transform our organization."

"You're suggesting a quid pro quo."

"I'm suggesting a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Agent Castillo leans back in her chair, studying my face with the kind of analytical attention I recognize from looking in mirrors. She's trying to decide if I'm naive, manipulative, or something else entirely.

"Tell me about the evidence," she says.

I open my laptop and connect it to the conference room's display system, pulling up the files Viktor organized with meticulous care. Financial records, recorded conversations, documented meetings—three years of investigation compiled by a man who understood the cost of truth.

"Viktor identified seventeen federal officials with direct ties to organized crime," I begin, clicking through the evidence. "Judges who've taken bribes, prosecutors who've buried cases, FBI agents who've sold information."

"We suspected some of these connections," Agent Castillo admits. "But we've never had proof."

"Viktor has proof. Video recordings, financial transactions, documented meetings. Everything you need to build prosecutable cases."

"And in exchange?"

"Immunity for the Morozov organization's transition to legitimate business operations."

"Define transition."

"Complete divestment from illegal activities within two years. Full cooperation with federal investigations of other criminal organizations. Establishment of legitimate enterprises that create jobs and contribute to economic growth."

"You're asking us to trust that a criminal organization will voluntarily become law-abiding."

"We're offering to become your most valuable asset in transforming organized crime from the inside."

The room falls silent as the federal officials process what I'm proposing. It's audacious enough to be either brilliant or completely insane, which means it's exactly the kind of plan Viktor would have loved.

"Mrs. Morozov," another agent speaks up—older, more skeptical, with the kind of weathered face that's seen too many deals go wrong. "What makes you think we need your help?"

"Because you've been fighting organized crime for decades without winning," I say bluntly. "Because every time you take down one organization, two more spring up to replace it. Because the current approach treats symptoms instead of causes."

"And your approach would be different how?"

"Our approach would eliminate the market for criminal services by providing legitimate alternatives. Transform the economic incentives that drive people toward illegal activities."

"That's a very academic theory."

"That's a very practical solution."

Alexei speaks for the first time since we entered the room. "Agent Castillo, how many federal investigations of organized crime have resulted in permanent elimination of the targeted organizations?"

"Very few," she admits.

"How many have resulted in long-term reduction of criminal activity in the affected areas?"

"Fewer still."

"And how many have addressed the underlying economic and social factors that create organized crime in the first place?"

"None."

"Then perhaps it's time to try a different approach."

Agent Castillo turns to study Alexei with renewed interest. "You're suggesting we partner with criminals to eliminate crime."

"I'm suggesting you partner with people who understand criminal organizations to transform them into something constructive."

"And you believe you can transform the Morozov organization?"

"I believe we can transform ourselves and inspire others to do the same. Starting with Viktor's evidence and expanding from there."

The conversation continues for two more hours, covering details of implementation, oversight protocols, and accountability measures. By the time we break for lunch, I can see Agent Castillo and her team are seriously considering our proposal.

"This is unprecedented," she tells us during the break. "I'll need approval from Washington, extensive background checks, legal review of every aspect of the agreement."

"How long will that take?" I ask.

"Months, possibly years."

"We don't have years. Other families are watching what we do. If we wait too long to act, the opportunity for peaceful transformation disappears."

"What are you suggesting?"

"A pilot program. Limited cooperation on specific cases to demonstrate good faith and establish trust."

"Such as?"

"Viktor's evidence identifies three ongoing criminal operations that could be dismantled with coordinated federal action. We provide intelligence and assistance. You provide results and consideration of our larger proposal."

Agent Castillo exchanges glances with her colleagues, and I can see them having one of those wordless conversations that experienced teams perfect over time.

"Which three operations?" she asks finally.

I pull up another set of files, highlighting Viktor's most damning evidence. "Human trafficking network based in Baltimore. Money laundering operation in Miami. Drug distribution system in Chicago."

"These are major cases."

"They're also cases where federal law enforcement has struggled to build prosecutable charges. Viktor's evidence provides what you've been missing."

"And your organization would assist how?"

"Intelligence gathering, witness protection, strategic coordination. Everything you need except the actual arrests and prosecutions."

"Why those three specifically?"

"Because eliminating them would save hundreds of lives and demonstrate that cooperation between federal law enforcement and reformed criminal organizations can work."

"And because they're all competitors to Morozov interests."

"That too," Alexei acknowledges. "But Mrs. Morozov is correct that saving lives should be the primary consideration."

Agent Castillo stands and walks to the windows overlooking the city, clearly thinking through implications and possibilities. When she turns back to us, her expression has shifted from skeptical to cautiously optimistic.

"If we agree to this pilot program," she says, "the oversight would be extensive. Every piece of intelligence verified, every action monitored, every outcome evaluated."

"Understood."

"And if you fail to deliver on any promises, the full weight of federal law enforcement comes down on your organization."

"Also understood."

"And you're both willing to testify in federal court if prosecutions require your testimony?"

I look at Alexei, and he looks at me, and we have one of those wordless conversations that married couples perfect over time. We're talking about putting ourselves at risk to transform not just our organization, but the entire relationship between law enforcement and organized crime.

"Yes," I say finally. "We'll testify."

"Under oath, with full legal liability for perjury?"

"Under oath."

"Even if it means admitting to past criminal activities?"

"Even then."

"Mrs. Morozov," Morrison interjects, "there's one more thing we need to discuss."

"What?"

"Your children."

Ice floods my veins. "What about our children?"

"If this partnership moves forward, if you become federal informants and witnesses, your family will be at risk from other criminal organizations. We'll need to discuss protection protocols."

"What kind of protection?"

"Potentially witness protection services. Relocation, new identities, complete separation from your current life."

"No."

"Mrs. Morozov—"

"Absolutely not. We're not taking our children away from their family, their heritage, their home. If partnership with federal law enforcement requires us to abandon everything we're trying to protect, then there's no point in partnership."

"The alternative could be assassination attempts against your entire family."

"The alternative will be managed by our own security protocols and the strategic alliances we build through successful cooperation."

"That's a significant risk."

"It's a calculated risk. And the calculation is that building something legitimate and lasting is worth more than hiding from the consequences of that choice."

Castillo nods slowly. "I can respect that position."

"So where does that leave us?" I ask.

"It leaves us with a pilot program. Three cases, six months, extensive oversight, and constant evaluation."

"And if it works?"

"If it works, we'll discuss expanding the partnership and implementing your broader transformation plan."

"And if it doesn't work?"

"Then we go back to the traditional approach, and you go back to being targets instead of assets."

"Understood."

Morrison still looks skeptical, but he nods. "Mrs. Morozov, I have one final question."

"Yes?"

"Why? Why risk everything you've built for the possibility of something that's never been tried before?"

I think about Viktor, alone in a warehouse with evidence that could change the world.

I think about my children, sleeping peacefully in their nursery while their parents plan their future.

I think about Alexei, willing to transform everything his family built for the chance to give Viktor and Katya better choices.

"Because my children deserve to grow up in a world where people like my brother don't have to die for doing the right thing," I say finally.

"Because transformation is possible if someone is brave enough to try it.

Because the status quo isn't working for anyone except the people who profit from other people's suffering. "

"And you believe you can change that?"

"I believe we can try. And trying is better than accepting that this is the best we can do."

Morrison nods slowly, and I can see something like respect flickering in his expression.

"Mrs. Morozov," Castillo says, "I think your brother would be proud."

"I hope so."

"I'm sure of it."

The meeting ends with handshakes and promises to be in touch within forty-eight hours. By the time Alexei and I leave the federal building, the sun is setting over Manhattan and I'm emotionally exhausted from the intensity of the day.

"Think they'll approve it?" I ask as our driver navigates traffic toward home.

"I think Agent Castillo wants to approve it. Whether her superiors will support her remains to be seen."

"And if they don't?"

"Then we find another way to honor Viktor's memory and build the future our children deserve."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

The drive home passes in comfortable silence as we both process the magnitude of what we've committed to.

If the FBI approves our proposal, we'll be pioneering a completely new approach to organized crime that could honor Viktor's memory while securing our children's future.

If they don't, we'll have exposed ourselves for nothing.

"No regrets?" Alexei asks as we turn through the estate gates.

"None. You?"

"None."

"Even though we might have just signed our own death warrants?"

"Especially then. If we're going to risk everything, it should be for something worthwhile."

"And this is worthwhile?"

"This is everything."