Page 68 of Unexpected Redemption

Lenkov’s family? Or the quasi family he’s in with Savin, Katia, and potentially... Yuri?

Shep continues badgering him for answers. “How is she a traitor?”

“If I tell you, please send me jail. I beg you.”

“Youwantto go to prison?” I scoff, not buying this bullshit one bit.

“Not safe for me outside. They look for me. Cannot escape. If I cross her, will be end of me. They will find me.”

I fire another question at him. “Are you saying Katia is dangerous, or are the people around her?”

“Both.”

“Nikolai?”

“Da.”

“Guys, it’s Sue again,” she interjects through the comms. “Ask who else is protecting her. He saidthey. Not he.”

Shep nods at me, then asks, “Who else protects Katia?”

Yev’s answer looks like it causes him physical pain. After a weighted pause, he finally answers, “Viktor. He love her. The baby.”

“What about the baby?”

“Some say it not Pakhan’s.”

Eyes bulge, and jaws drop around the room.

Not mine.

I fucking knew something was up with her and Viktor.That’s why she was in the bar talking to Skidmark that night. Because she’s involved in the trafficking shit, despite being Nikolai’s girl.

Because she’s fucking Viktor too.

Yev’s whimpers turn into heavy sobs, like the shit-stain coward he is. “They will kill me. So much pain.” His voice quivers. “If Pakhan find out what I know, he kill me for not telling him sooner. But if I tell him, Viktor and Katia will make me pay.” His sobs rise in volume, accompanied by frightened tears.

Look at him. Absolutely terrified of the trafficking scum he was working with just a few short weeks ago.

I finally press off the wall and squat in front of his disgusting body. “I have one more thing to discuss before we call the cops.”

He nods, a glimmer of hope passing behind his beady eyes.

I should put him out of his fucking misery.

Lettie, Lettie, Lettie.

And possibly, what’s growing inside her.

I need to be there for them. To protect them. Love and provide for them. To do that, I must deserve them.

“Tell me about Yuri.”

“Yuri? What about?”

“Did he send you into Lenkov’s Bratva as his spy?”

Rapid blinks accompanying a partial nod is his inarticulate response.

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