Page 30 of Twisted Pact

“That’s one way to put it.”

“And you don’t see the moral problem with using honest workers as a cover for criminal activity?”

“I see it. I just don’t have a better solution that keeps everyone fed and protected.”

This conversation has gone somewhere more honest than I usually get with people outside the organization.

“Your paper,” I begin after a moment. “What’s the thesis?”

“That criminal enterprises operating in developed economies require sophisticated legal structures to survive long-term. That the real power doesn’t come from violence or intimidation but from understanding how to exploit gaps in regulatory frameworks.”

“And your conclusion?”

“That organizations like yours are more vulnerable to legal prosecution than physical threat, and the best way to dismantle criminal empires is through forensic accounting and international cooperation between law enforcement agencies.”

I laugh despite myself. “So, you’re writing a paper on how to destroy families like ours.”

“I’m writing a paper on effective strategies for combating organized crime. If that happens to apply to your family’s business model, that’s just academic analysis. My father. … Well, he will just have to understand.”

“You realize this academic analysis could get you killed if the wrong people knew you were conducting it.”

Her face goes serious. “Is that a threat?”

“You’re sitting in my kitchen discussing how to dismantle my brother’s organization. Most people would consider that dangerous behavior.”

“Are you most people?”

“No, but I’m also not the only person who would find your research interesting. The families watching your father’s house would love to get their hands on a detailed analysis of Kozlov business practices written by someone with your intelligence and access.”

She hadn’t considered that angle. I can see the realization moving across her features as she understands why her academic interests might make her more valuable as a target than just being Leonid Andreev’s daughter.

“You think someone’s watching me?” she asks quietly.

“I think someone’s watching your family, but you’re the one asking questions and writing papers that could provide intelligence value. That makes you more interesting than your father’s shipping manifests.”

“So now I’m not just a bargaining chip. I’m a potential intelligence source.”

“Welcome to the life you keep insisting you don’t want any part of.”

She picks up her mug and drinks without responding. When she speaks again, her voice has lost some of its earlier anger. “Whatam I supposed to do? Stop pursuing my education because it might make me a target? Pretend I’m not curious about how this world operates just to stay safe?”

“Just be careful. Understand that knowledge has consequences in our world. And maybe trust that when I make decisions about your safety, I’m not doing it to control you; I’m doing it because you’re researching things that could get you killed.”

“I don’t need you to protect me from my brain.”

“Maybe not, but I’m going to anyway.”

We’re back to our fundamental disagreement. She wants freedom to pursue her interests without constraint. I want her alive, even if it means restricting what she can do and where she can go.

My phone vibrates with a text from Boris. I read the message and curse.

“What?” Mila asks.

“Security team detected unusual surveillance activity around this property within the past hour.”

“Which means what?” I can tell she already knows the answer based on the way she’s groaning.

“This location is compromised. We need to move you somewhere more secure. Dmitri and I have a plan in motion.”