Page 61 of Bratva Baby

Moving my hand, I brush my thumb over the inside of her wrist. “Listen to me now.”

Her lashes lower slightly. “That depends on what you say next.”

“I say we move quickly. Varga is useful, but not enough on his own. Maks has already started tightening the screws, which means we don’t wait for him to get comfortable. I need every piece you have, every name, every old habit, every dead company your father ever made you memorize, and I need it soon.”

She nods once, then pulls back enough to think again. “I can give you branch structures, old outer companies, known relay names, three payment references, and two older shells that should’ve died on paper years ago.”

“Good.”

“And in return?”

I laugh. “You’re negotiating after that kiss.”

She throws her hands out like I’m the one being unreasonable. “I’m consistent.”

Still laughing, I look at her mouth. “That’s one word for it.”

She doesn’t blush, at least not much. “In return, I want to know what happens at the next meeting.”

“You’ll know enough.”

“That’s vague.”

“That’s still the offer.”

She actually smiles then, quick and real. “You are impossible to improve.”

I slide my hand to the small of her back. “You’ve made progress.”

Her gaze drops once to my mouth, then lower, and now it’s my turn to enjoy it. “Don’t look so pleased with yourself.”

“I just came home from being threatened with exile, and somehow, you still found a way to make the evening worthwhile. Let me have something.”

That gets me a real laugh, soft and surprised. I hadn’t been aiming for it, but I’ll take it. She stops and strokes my hair slowly, sinking into thoughtfulness. “You’re in deep waters, and you still came back here first.”

“Yes.”

She searches my face for a second longer than she usually allows herself. “You’re very strange.”

I lean down and brush my mouth against hers once more. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me all week.”

She rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling when she does it, and that’s enough to make the day feel less expensive than it did an hour ago.

Then the phone in my pocket starts vibrating and I take it out. Kolya.

I answer and keep my eyes on her while I listen. Her face shifts immediately, reading mine as the information comes in. That alone tells me I was right to come here first. Sofiya always watches for the real thing.

When I end the call, she’s already standing straighter.

“What?”

“Varga’s not where he was supposed to be.”

Her expression hardens. “Missing?”

“Moved. Maybe taken. Maybe warned.”

“Maks?”