Page 110 of Devious Corruption

“What are you going to do, fly there and drag them home by their ears?” He demands as I scoop up Marion and pace the room.

“I don’t know,” I admit, sinking onto the bed and cradling Marion in my arms.

My chest is tight, and anger fuels me. I’ve always been on the outside, watching a family happening right in front of me. But this is different. Lev put me on the outside of my own life, my own family.

“I want to see them, Lev.”

He stares at me a long moment, before his shoulders drop.

“I’ll pay for my own flight.”

“It’s not about money.” He shakes his head. “Ifyou go there, Max…it’s dangerous. We still don’t know who they’re actually working with. And now with the DeAngelo family involved, it’s more complicated.”

“Dangerous for me or you?” My head aches with all the thoughts swirling around. “Because if I go, they’ll find out you have men on them.”

His phone rings, but he pulls it out of his back pocket and declines the call.

“If they’re playing both sides, you being there could jeopardize them as much as you.” His jaw tightens. “Let my men keep an eye on them.”

“You don’t get it, Lev.” I look up at him, my eyes burn from fighting back tears. “They aren’t your problem. I’m not your problem.”

“Maxine—” His phone goes off again and he curses.

“Just answer it!”

He grabs it, pressing it to his ear as he says something in Russian. I can’t understand the words, but from his tone, and the harshness of his eyes, I fully comprehend the intent.

Two minutes later he hangs up and stares at me, his nostrils flare.

“It doesn’t matter now.”

“Why?” My heart jackhammers against my ribs. Something’s happened. Something horrible. Are they dead? “What happened, Lev?”

“Your brothers are back.”

Vas climbs into the back of my SUV with me, shaking the light rain droplets from his coat. The day has been overcast, much like my mood.

The morning with Maxine was spent getting one-word answers from her. When I tried to get a full conversation going over breakfast, she shoved a piece of toast between her teeth, picked up her plate and coffee, and left me in the kitchen.

Mrs. Nelson stopped me from charging after her by starting up at conversation about some dinner she was planning for the next few nights. I could have brushed her off, but it was painfully obvious Maxine had made a confidantin my housekeeper. Mrs. Nelson was running interference.

“What are you smiling about?” I demand when he leans back in his seat.

“I have information you’re going to hate. Or love. I’m not quite sure, but either way it’s solid information.”

“The twins? You’ve caught up to them?” They’ve been back in country for almost a full day.

If I can get them in front of Maxine, in a controlled environment, maybe she’d stop being pissed at me long enough to realize I’d been trying to protect her from worry when I didn’t tell her I knew where they were.

“No, not yet. But we’ll have eyes on them soon, I’m sure.” He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out his phone. “You’re going to want to see this.”

“What is it?”

“Just watch.” He slides his finger over the screen and opens his messaging app to a video. Tapping the play icon, he hands me the phone.

The video begins to play. It’s dark, but through the night vision lens I can make out the twins. They’re climbing out of a car that’s parked in front of a night club.

“They went clubbing?” I cast a side glance.