Page 63 of Vicious Betrayal

I frown. Declan knows I'm on my honeymoon. He wouldn't interrupt unless it was important.

I pull on a pair of shorts and walk out onto the terrace, dialing his number. He picks up on the second ring. "Cormac. Sorry to bother you."

"What's going on?"

"We've got a situation." His voice is tense. "Law enforcement is bearing down on us, giving us a lot more grief than usual. Nothing immediate, but enough that I want to make sure all our cover businesses are airtight. I'm going to email you some documents. I need you to review them, make sure there's nothing that could raise red flags."

I lean against the railing, looking out at the sea. "How bad is it?"

"Not bad yet. But it's more attention than we've had in a while. I want to be proactive."

"Alright. Send me what you've got. I'll look it over."

"Thanks. And Cormac—I really am sorry about this. I know you're supposed to be relaxing."

"It's fine. Business doesn't stop just because I got married."

"No, but it should." He pauses. "How's married life treating you?"

"Good. This place is fantastic. Thanks for the recommendation."

"I'm glad. You deserve it."

We talk for a few more minutes, and then Rian's voice comes on the line. "Murphy! How's the honeymoon?"

I can't help but smile. "It's good, Rian. Really good."

"I bet it is." He laughs. "Married life suits you, brother. You sound... I don't know. Lighter."

"Maybe I am."

"Well, enjoy it while it lasts. Once you're back, Declan's going to work you to death making sure our asses are covered."

"I'm sure he will." I pause. "Rian, when did this increased pressure start? Declan mentioned it, but I didn't catch the timeline."

"Oh, uh..." I hear papers rustling. "Looks like it started ramping up around... mid-September? Why?"

I feel a strange sensation that the timeline is important to me for some reason, and then I remember… that's not long after I met Oksana. Of course that time period feels significant.

I pause. That nagging feeling returns, stronger this time. "No reason," I say, keeping my voice even. "Just curious."

"Alright. Well, I'll let you get back to your bride. Don't work too hard, yeah?"

"Yeah. Thanks, Rian."

I end the call and stand there, staring out at the water, my mind racing.

It's a coincidence. It has to be. Law enforcement pressure on us ebbs and flows. The cops we haven't paid off or the feds get a bug up their ass, and decide to make it our problem until they can't find anything, and they back off again. It doesn't mean anything that it started around the same time I met Oksana. There's no connection. There can't be.

But the thought is there now, lodged in my brain like a splinter. What if there is a connection? What if she's not who I think she is?

I shake my head, trying to dislodge the thought. It's insane. Oksana is Maksim Svenkov's daughter. She has no reason to work with law enforcement. And even if she did, she wouldn't. She couldn't. Not after everything we've shared.

Not after she married me. She wouldn't have married me if that was what was going on. She can't lie that well. Not to me.

But the doubt is there, and I can't make it go away.

I hear the shower turn off, and a moment later, Oksana steps out onto the terrace in a swimsuit, her hair damp. The sight of her in her small black bikini is almost enough to make me forget everything else, but I don't. Not quite. "Good morning," she says, smiling. "Who were you talking to?"