Only a growling stomach could finally extract her from the bed. The Russian fighter could go on for hours on little fuel, but Deva badly needed sustenance.
Night still cloaked the city, but it wouldn’t be long before the first rays of dawn would force them to return to reality and face their enemies once more.
When Aleksei couldn’t convince her to stay in bed, he had turned into a surly kid and growled that he was going to take a long, cold shower.
To make sure she wouldn’t be tempted to crawl back into bed or join him in the shower, she rapidly dressed in a pair of jeans and deep pink wrap-around top, before running her fingers through her hair in a vain attempt to tame it. Curious, she went to the table to see if what he had ordered could be eaten cold. And in a small alcove, she found a fancy coffee machine; a life saver!
On the table, there was filet mignon, grilled vegetables, and crispy bread. Even cold, it tasted delicious.
Hunger receding, Deva went to retrieve her cell phone. The many missed calls and text messages made her wince. Gabrielle, Lazarus, Sasha, and a few numbers she couldn’t place. Instead of going through them all, she decided to call Gabrielle straight away.
“What the hell is going on? Speak Landry, and speak fast!” The woman almost yelled through the receiver.
“Calm down, Gabrielle.”
“Calming down? Are you kidding me? Lazarus is out of his mind, and I’ve had Lance scouting the city for you. And I’m not even talking about the western-style duel you organized at Rusty’s gym! And that Russian man of yours better be alive because Oz will have your neck if he isn’t.”
“Well, if you want to know what’s going on, shut up!”
Gabrielle hissed on the other end of the line but kept quiet as Deva started to speak. Putting emphasis on the most important details, especially the words that kept bugging her since she had spoken to Finch and her father, Deva found it helpful to put all her thoughts and ideas into words. Gabrielle had obviously calmed down, her brain feeding avidly on the new information.
“Finch can’t control the syndicates in any way unless he blackmails the heads in some way. But so far, with what you told me and the information I could gather, it seems as if Finch is circling, but not directly involved in anything. Or doesn’t appear to be. He’s waiting. But for what?”
“I know. And because it involves my father, it’s even weirder.”
Gabrielle waited a moment. “And I’m surprised you haven’t asked me if I had any news about your father. Unless you’ve found something out already.”
Deva sighed and turned to look out through the window. “I didn’t. And I’m not sure I want to know. It’s tearing me in two. Why should I care for a man who has done such awful things to me, and claims he wants to continue?”
“I guess it’s because he’s your father. I wouldn’t try to analyze it more if I were you. And you have a kind heart. It will both play against you and be your greatest strength, Deva.”
“We’ll see. I’m not convinced yet. And as I’ve enraged the man, it will complicate things for all of us.”
“Maybe not. An enraged man doesn’t think as clearly. I believe it will give us an edge. And maybe help us uncover what Finch is up to, especially since Mex is implicated. I’ll dig a bit more, and harass some connections of mine. We never know, I might come up with useful information.”
Gabrielle had a point. “I will cross-check all of Finch’s known connections the syndicates and their families. Even the MCs. Maybe some sort of link will appear. Or someone with a loose tongue may speak.”
“Yeah, I have people already at work on that. And also, we need to dig more into the financials. Something might pop up. In the meantime, I want to be kept informed. Regularly, not after the fact. And if you have the idea of wandering away from Aleksei, I will send you protection. One that will stick to you like glue. Right now, is a very bad time to wander the city alone, Deva.”
As if on cue, Aleksei opened the bedroom door, fully clothed in dark wash jeans, boots, and a dark blue sweater that set off his silver eyes. His black hair was still damp from his shower. He scanned the room before settling his attention on her and smiling a little.
“I’ll be careful. Keep me posted too.”
When she hung up, Aleksei lowered himself to her for a kiss. The first touch was light, but the underlying embers flared up quickly. It would be so easy to yield, but her call with Gabrielle confirmed that danger was lurking and Aleksei needed to know about it. Deva cupped his cheeks and leaned back a little. “Coffee?”
He kissed her forehead and straightened. “I’ll get it. You spoke with Gabrielle?”
Subtle. Very subtle, she thought. But there was no secret there. On the contrary, his knowledge of that world could bring her the insight she needed to find out what Finch was up to. So, she started from the beginning. Aleksei sat in front of her, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand, listening to her intently. When she finished, he seemed to ponder it all.
“I agree with Gabrielle. I don’t think Finch could have any sort of leverage with any of the main families. From what I could gather, it wasn’t his main intent, although he was always kept informed of what was going on. New nominations, official business acquisitions, and so on.”
“Do you know anybody we could speak to? Anybody who would be a hundred percent sure to tell us the truth? I don’t think we can have a real sense of what’s going on from the outside.”
Aleksei broke a piece of bread before buttering it and popping it in his mouth. “We can talk to my Pakan. He trusts me and would know if something is brewing.”
Deva pursed her lips. “No offense, how can we be certain he’s not in the loop?”
His mouth grimaced as if reluctant to say his next few words. “Deva. You wanted to know why I kept close to Finch? I will tell you. My Pakan asked me personally and confidentially. He’s the one who asked me to connect with Finch, to gather as much information as I could. And he’s my most direct, most reliable source. He saw Finch circling and needed someone who could find out what he wanted. And he knew Finch is my father, so I was an easy choice. Now, I have to go see the Pakan, today. I’ve been summoned. And I’m bringing you with me. That way, you’ll see first hand if something is off. You can form your own opinion.”
Deva wasn’t sure of his decision. “Do you think it’s safe?”
“Safe or not, you’ve been invited. And that means that you must show up. You are the daughter of an established and respected MC president, nothing will happen to you.”
“Except if your Pakan is in with Finch. In that case, he’ll deliver me to my father in less than a minute.”
Aleksei’s expression turned hard as stone. “He’s not. I’m certain of it. I would never let anything happen to you, Deva.”
Deva softened her voice. “It may not be your decision in the end, Aleksei.”
Cursing, he got to his feet. “I keep my word, Deva. And I trust my Pakan to keep his. So far, I haven’t been deceived.”
She could have argued. After all, she had many doubts of her own but decided against it. It was their best opening so far, and she would seize it.
“Okay, but I bring a bodyguard.”
“I don’t like repeating myself. I can protect you, Deva.”
She shook her head. “Even if it has been awhile, I know how it works. Me, bringing a protector will send the signal that I’m not being delivered to him and that I’m not your pawn.”
“You are being protected, by me! And you’re certainly not a pawn!”
Undeterred by his outburst, Deva pushed her plate aside. “I know. It’s not you I doubt, it’s everyone else. I’m only giving them an unspoken message. Nothing more, but nothing fucking less. I’m not a man! And just that plays against me on so many levels. You may trust your boss, you have proven yourself to him, and he has shown his trust, but I’m not Bratva. No doubt that Mex has placed a price on my head, and yelled it to anyone who could listen. I’m going with you, but I’m showing a play of power by bringing protection. How many women have you seen entering your Pakan’s lair without anyone by their side? Except for whores and hostages?”
And she saw him accept her point with a look that suggested he’d had to swallow a lemon wrapped up in slime.
“Okay, I’ll relay that information to him. And if all goes well, we’re expected for coffee this morning.”
“Where?”
“Right here, downstairs. At nine.
Deva nodded. “I’ll make a call and ask Gabrielle.”
Stiff and clearly pissed, Aleksei got his phone out. But before he could walk out of reach, she touched his forearm.
His closed expression was telling, but it cracked a bit for her. “Thank you, Aleksei.”
He nodded stiffly and went to the bedroom to make his call.
Grabbing her phone and dialing Gabrielle’s number, she turned to the window to admire the sunrise. A new day, a new challenge. But she ignored her own doubts tightening her belly. She was about to enter the ring with very fierce lions, and if she wanted to succeed and keep Aleksei safe, she would need all her wits and all the courage she could find within her own damaged self.