Page 173 of Heir

Who the fuck was that?

I turned to Frank. He must have read the intent in my eyes because he spoke before I could offer him another slash. “The illegitimate heir to the Savkin Bratva… and William’s son.”

William had two young boys with his wife. That meant this Aleksei was an affair baby.

Fuck, but how could we have missed that?

“Where is he?” I asked.

“I don’t know. Please. I really don’t know. They don’t tell me much. I’m trying to run for mayor, so it’s best to distance myself from them as much as possible. We only communicate when they need something. I don’t—”

He groaned as I slashed deeply again. Blood dripped down his cheek, and a part of the flesh dropped, attached by a corner of skin.

“I believe you,” I said.

“Then why did you…”

“For fun,” I said, smiling a little.

Behind me, Micah laughed.

“Is Aleksei the one who created the site used to auction off Gemma’s virginity?” I asked.

“I—”

I made a fist and hit him with an uppercut. He coughed, trying to bend his body forward from the pain. I grabbed his hair and pulled back until he looked at me. “Don’t fucking lie.”

He nodded. “Yes. He created it. They’re trying to set up a human trafficking ring here in California.”

And the website was the way to do it.

Fuck me, but this was a hell of a lot bigger than I thought.

“Why here?”

Frank shook his head, blood seeping out of his mouth. I shook him.

“B-because the King’s Men don’t allow human trafficking, and you would be the one to stop them if they try to use a port of entry. California is more convenient, so they’re w-working to get rid of you first.”

“How?”

Micah stood and moved closer.

He cried. “I don’t know. I’m not a part of the Bratva. I don’t know anything.”

I pushed him away, disgusted. “And you were trying to help them with this?”

“T-there’s money to be m-made here. P-please. I got caught up in the moment. Please.”

I met Micah’s eyes. He looked at Frank with a bored expression, but I knew him better. He wanted to speed up the process and get to the fun part.

There was one last thing I wanted to ask him.

“Where are Gemma’s mom and stepfather?”

“I…”

“I wouldn’t protect them if I were you. Where are they hiding?”