Page 28 of Echoes of Sin

Ruben came across as a shifty guy, but he’d always been good to me. He was a little money obsessed, which was a good trait to have when you dealt with other people’s money all day, but he was a good boss and a good guy who looked out for me. “Thank you. I just need a minute and then I’ll be good.”

“Okay, I’m here if you need anything.” Ruben offered me a smile before leaving my office.

I leaned back in my chair and groaned. Karina wanted to know her father, who by all accounts was in the Russian mafia and had sent one of his mobster goons to threaten me—either that, or someone else wanted me to stop looking too closely at his finances so they could continue ripping him off.

How was this my life now?

Chapter Seventeen

Ilya

“How fucking dare you send one of your goons after me over a professional disagreement.” I’d listened to the voicemail three times already, Brooke’s tone wasn’t just angry, she was furious. I understood why, but I didn’t know what it had to do with me.

Yes, I was upset about what she told me, but I wasn’t upset with her, and I didn’t blame her for what she’d found. It was exactly why I wanted her on my accounts, because I knew she wouldn’t sugarcoat anything. She’d always been detail oriented and that was what I needed to set me up for success here in the US. In light of my recent conversation with Dmitri, I was more grateful to have her on my side than ever, professionally if not personally.

“Dmitri,” I called out angrily.

A minute later he appeared in my office.

“Have you been looking into the problem with the accounts?”

He frowned, shaking his head. “No. I was waiting for you to let me know what you wanted me to do.”

My brows arched. “Usually, you take a more proactive approach in these matters.”

“You seemed conflicted, so I waited. Would you like me to look into it now?”

“Yes, but there is a more pressing matter here.” I tapped my phone and Brooke’s voice filled the office once again. I watched Dmitri, not because I didn’t trust him—I trusted him with my life—but because I needed to study his reaction to her words.

As he listened, Dmitri scowled. “Goons. What goons?” There it was, the confusion.

“Exactly! That is what I’d like to know. Brooke and I spoke about it at Maria’s Cantina, and then I told you about it here in the office. Who else would know about it, to the point of acting on my behalf?”

“Good question. I’ll start at the cantina. You should probably speak to your girl.”

I smiled. “She’s not my girl, and after this, she might not be my accountant either.” I jumped to my feet and shoved my phone in my jacket pocket. “I’d better get over there.”

Dmitri’s lips twitched and he gave a curt nod. “See you in an hour?”

“Let’s make it two, this might take a while.” I hoped it would because that meant Brooke was open to listening. If not, I would have to make her listen.

***

“Mr. Kuznetsov, welcome!” The receptionist shot out of her chair with a wide smile. “Are you here for Mr. Montrose?”

“No, I need to speak with Brooke.” I didn’t wait for her to lead me to the office because I knew where it was. “Thank you,” I added as I walked away.

All eyes were on me as I walked through the small office, probably wondering why I looked so angry. I didn’t give a damn, though. My only focus was on Brooke.

She sat at her desk and rubbed her temples. Her shoes were discarded, and she flexed her toes, looking as if every part of her body was filled with tension. And worry.

I knocked on the closed door and moved away from the glass windows that made up most of her wall. I waited a full minute before the door opened and Brooke appeared. She was flawless, with her long brown hair falling around her shoulders, big green eyes lined expertly, and her pink lips pulled into a bland smile. There was no hint of the earlier vulnerability I’d witnessed moments ago.

“Brooke. Hi. Can we talk?”

It was barely visible, but she tensed and looked around the office at large before she shrugged. “You might have started with a phone call, but sure, I guess we can talk.” She turned away and hurried back to her desk, which provided a large oak barrier between us. “What would you like to talk about, Ilya?”

I gently closed the door and leaned against it, leaving a gulf between us. “I did not send anyone after you, I swear. I wouldn’t do that.”

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