Page 133 of Scarlet Vows

He grabs me, hauling me up against him, twisting my arm behind my back. “Time to say good night, cunt.”

He slams a damp cloth over my mouth and nose.

I fight, kicking, trying to get free, trying not to breathe in.

But it doesn’t work.

Everything turns black.

Chapter Thirty

ILYA

I ruba hand over my face and play the recording my private investigator gave to me one more time.

Five watches in, and it still makes zero sense.

Or maybe it does.

Maybe it clicks perfectly into place, and I just couldn’t see it before.

I expected Simonov to meet with nobody important and maybe see a glimpse of Santo.

Fuck.

I expected Melor in meetings with our men, maybe with another bratva, because he sensed the ship was sinking and wanted off. And maybe if I’m generous, that’s what I’m seeing.

If I’m generous. But what I’m looking at isn’t an exploration into defection. A discussion with another house. I’ve been in those, with people who realized the smart place to be when Demyan came down on their house for crimes committed against the Yegorov Bratva.

This is two people who know each other.

Two people who are comfortable, who have something in place. A plan. A relationship. I don’t give a fuck which.

There’s no sound, and there doesn’t need to be. The footage says it all. Like a master class in silent film.

Melor and Simonov.

The time stamp tells me it was taken two hours ago. It arrived via email with a load of other things, the PI stating he’s still on the job and will continue if needed.

I sent him a terse:Yes.

Money’s no fucking object.

Because I want them all followed. All of them. Their wives, girlfriends, friends, soldiers. Enemies.

“Get your shit under control,” I say in Russian. “Think.”

The only people I need followed are Simonov and Melor and their most trusted. I don’t even give a flying fuck if my PI has someone here, where I am. Outside Melor’s fucking residence.

I watch one more time, waiting for him. He’s supposed to be on a routine arms deal. Ammo, small-time, but important. When I spoke to him this morning, he told me he’d then do some admin at home, waiting for a call on a payment nearby, and then he’d meet me.

It checked out. I’m not a total fool.

He is scheduled for that, and he does payment collection from home. My grandfather kept meticulous records on his men and their activities.

So, I wait.

And watch the video.