Page 65 of Unexpected Redemption

Hurting him—even without leaving permanent damage—is cathartic as fuck. It’s a mere fraction of what Lettie endured, but it’s something. And I can do it guilt free since the pain I’m inflicting on him serves a greater purpose than revenge. He’s going to start talking before we even ask our first question.

After only three rounds of ten swats, he’s begging for mercy. His pleas come out loud and clear, even with the sock in his cock holster. Civilian translation: his mouth.

Shep moves by Yev’s head to start the questioning. While catching my breath, I drop the cane into the corner of the room and motion for Aaron and Sawyer to take a break. They scootaway from his feet, but I can barely hear their bodies scuffing across the tarp over the volume of Yev’s cries.

As soon as a prick of remorse or guilt attempts to break through my facade, I recall how Lettie sounded on that fucking recording.

Shep smacks both sides of Yev’s face to get his attention. “We have a few questions for you. Talk, and we’ll give your feet a break, okay?”

The sniveling piece of excrement nods while sucking back snot and tears.

“How did you get involved with Lenkov’s trafficking ring? Who recruited you?”

“Born,” he answers, voice wobbly and grating. “Born into it.”

Shep flashes a look at me, telegraphing his surprise at this. His mother isn’t in the Bratva from what we know.

“Who’s your father, Yev? Who’s shriveled ball sac did you come out of?”

“Don’t know,” he answers, but it’s strained.

I motion to Aaron and Sawyer. “Back in position, guys. He’s not being truthful.”

When they each swoop back in and grab an ankle to hoist up his feet for me, Yev’s immediately struck with a memory. Fascinating how that happens.

“Wait. Okay. I don’t know father. I only know I have sister and brother. Yuri told me this.”

I rest the cane gently on the fiery red soles of his feet, reminding him of what awaits him if he lies. “Who?”

“Savin is half-brother.”

My eyes bulge, but I’m behind him, so he doesn’t see it. Somehow Shep manages to mask his expression.

A rumble leaves Yev’s chest when he adds, “And Katia.”

Well, fuck me.

Do they share a mother with him? Or does he share their father?

Possibly more importantly, how the hell did Savin and Katia end up Lenkov’s captives while Yev is allowed to live like a free man, working as Yuri’s bitch? And why the fuck don’t I know who Savin and Katia’s parents are? I can’t fucking believe I never searched that. Too many fucking assholes to keep track of in this mess.

When I return to the lair, I’m doing a damn family tree for anyone and everyone who’s had shit fuck to do with this mess.

Shit. I don’t have to wait. I forgot I have a whole ass team now.

I raise one finger at Shep, silently telling him to hold up on more questions. Striding quickly from the room, I close the door behind me. “Mia. Klein.”

“We’re listening, T,” Klein responds.

Pacing down the hall, I talk through what I’d do if I were up there. “One of you should start searching for medical records on Katia.She’s pregnant and might have something on file at a local obstetrician’s office unless Lenkov isn’t getting her prenatal care or keeping her treatment with an in-house doctor. It’s probably too much to hope that she’s had genetic testing. We should look just in case.”

“I’ll take that one,” Mia answers crisply, a hint of excitement in her tone. “Klein is already searching for birth records for Savin and Katia. I’m betting they have fake last names, though. Before you called, we started that. Initial hits are few and far between. For all we know, they were born in Russia or the fucking Ukraine. We might never find out who their parents are.”

My feet draw to an abrupt stop. “I wonder iftheyeven know their parents.”

Klein jumps in. “It’s possible they don’t. Does anyone recall how young they were when they were taken? Did Savin say?”

“I don’t think he said, but I’m unsure,” Mia answers, some of her earlier manic energy fading.

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