Page 99 of Innocent Prey of the Bratva

Milos doesn’t hesitate. “Before I was…sidelined, I had started my own investigation. Quiet. Separate from Maxim and the others. I was following some unusual patterns—bribes, wire transfers, encrypted messages—linked back to the Solokov Mafia.”

My head snaps up. “Solokov?”

He nods. “Something about their movements felt off. Too quiet, too measured. They’re expanding but doing it under the radar. When I got closer, I found signs of an operation—targeting your estate. Then Arina turned on me. I was removed before I could follow the trail.”

My stomach churns. My instincts kick in. “You think the Solokovs framed you? To get you out of the way?”

He nods grimly. “My gut says yes. I couldn’t prove it. But if they’re working from the shadows—and Arina was connected to them somehow—it adds up.”

It makes sense, and I’m prepared to follow the trail. “Thank you, Milos,” I say quietly. “That’s solid information.”

He gives me a nod and walks out, the door clicking softly behind him. I’m alone again. The silence is too loud.

I cross the room, open the cabinet, and pull out a bottle of vodka. My hand is shaking, just slightly. The kind of tremor that doesn’t come from fear but from fury barely restrained.

I twist the cap off. The scent of alcohol hits me like a slap. But just as I’m about to pour, I pause.

Not tonight.

Not when she’s out there, god knows where. Not when my mind needs to be sharp.

I set the bottle back down, untouched, and sink onto the edge of my desk, elbows on knees, hands running over my face.The hours crawl. I pace. I sit. I stand. I think of Violet, her eyes, her voice, her scent.

My phone finally rings near morning time. I snatch it up without checking the screen. “Hello?”

A familiar voice cuts through the haze.

“What the hell is going on over there?” Adrian. “I’m hearing things. Which woman did you get involved with that’s making you lose your damn mind?”

I exhale a breath that feels like gravel. “Violet,” I say.

He’s silent for a beat.

Then, “When can I meet this Violet?”

I rub the back of my neck, exhausted. “You know her already. She’s one of Jennie’s best friends.”

There’s a pause, then a sharp intake of breath. “What? No. That Violet? No way. What are the odds? Jennie and Zoe have been freaking out. They haven’t been able to reach Violet in weeks. She’s been with you all this time? What the hell, Kaz?”

“I’ll explain—”

My phone vibrates with another call. I glance at the screen. Niko.

Shit.

“I’ll call you back,” I say to Adrian quickly.

“Kaz—”

I end the call and switch lines.

“Niko?”

“Arina finally cracked,” he says flatly, unbothered. “It’s the Solokov family. They’ve got her. Moved her to one of their auction sites in Mexico. It’s called LaFarge.”

Everything inside me freezes and burns at the same time.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice low. “Kill them.”