Page 90 of Devious Corruption

“What does?” He leans forward. “You got a weird look on your face, what does that mean?”

“Nothing.” I lift a shoulder.

The last encounter I had with Artem it was obvious the man’s focus was on one person in the room. His gaze followed Elana around the room the entire night, his jaw ticking more times that I could have counted.

Now, after having spent time with my own free-spirited dragon, I understand his demeanor. Kaz, however, would probably be less amused by it if I were to tell him. Elana being his little sister, he wouldn’t take my thoughts on the matter well.

“Has there been any movement on the weapons Maxine’s brothers had?” Kaz questions.

“No.” I drum my fingers against the tabletop beside my drink. “It doesn’t make much sense that the Petrosyans would want to move into this area and start using street punks. But without knowing what those idiots were doing meeting with them, I can’t know for certain.”

“You have men on it, I assume?”

“I have eyes on the situation.” I pick up my glass, finishing off my drink. It’s late, and Maxine will be getting off work soon.

“And nothing from the DeAngelo pricks?”

“So far nothing. But I don’t expect it to stay that way.They’ve had to piece together by now what’s happened to the soldiers they sent to kill Ivan.”

“They found the bodies?” Kaz’s eyebrows raise.

“No. But I made sure enough parts of them were returned to Marco, they could be identified.”

“You’re putting a big target on your back.” He frowns. “You could stay clear of this. Marco will come at you. Rurik’s lost a warehouse, and all he did was pick up a girl.”

“He’s already rebuilding and considering that girl’s about to be wearing his name, I doubt he has regrets.”

“Still. No one would blame you for stepping away from this mess.”

I lean forward. “You insult me to suggest I would not back your family against the Italians. An attack on the Volkovs is an attack on all Bratva. The pussies aren’t even going after the men; they target the women. It’s disgusting.”

“I meant no insult.” He raises his hands and gives a small bow of his head.

My phone rings from inside my suit jacket.

“Sasha,” I say, taking the call. “You’re saving me a trip.”

Kaz leans back and gestures for a waitress while I take the call.

“Have you spoken with Kaz?” Sasha begins.

“He’s here with me. He relayed what you found about the twins. Have you found anything else out?”

“I have their location. I got a hit on a credit card in their name. It took some time to find it becauseneither of them are the primary holders on the card, so I wasn’t finding them at first. But I started digging into your girl, and that’s when I found it.”

“They’re using her credit card?” My fingers tighten around the phone.

She doesn’t have enough trouble in her life because of these assholes, now they’re digging into debt?

“Looks like she’s the primary, yeah, but I have my doubts she’s aware of it.”

“Why?”

“Well, the only charges on the card seem to be related to them. I pulled her credit accounts and did some comparison. The only thing she charges are her cell phone bills, a streaming service, and some coffee. Her bill’s paid off every month.”

Of course, because Maxine is responsible. She’s relied on herself, and only herself, for far too long. She’s appointed herself as the caretaker for those two, and they repay her by stealing from her.

“I’m guessing this new card hasn’t been used in that way?”