Page 7 of Filthy Lies

“He doesn’t know that.” I pace the narrow hallway. “And the moment he finds out, he’ll use that information—use her—against me.”

“He might help us find her.”

“Or he might decide his daughter and grandchild are better off with him than with me.” I slam my fist against the wall. “I won’t risk it.”

Arkady edges closer. “Then what’s the alternative? Rowan is out there giving birth in captivity. Every minute we waste?—”

“Don’t.” My voice drops to a dangerous whisper. “Don’t fucking tell me what’s at stake here. I know exactly what’s at stake.”

My mind races through options, discarding each one as quickly as it forms. We need information. We need leverage. We need?—

“The doctor,” I say suddenly. “The Solovyovs called in a doctor.”

Arkady’s eyes widen as he follows my thinking. “If we can identify which doctor…”

“We can track them to Rowan.”

I stride back into the interrogation room. “Get me everything you know about the Solovyovs’ medical contacts,” I order the bloody man in the chair. “Every doctor, nurse, or veterinarianwho’s ever patched up one of their men. Names. Addresses. Now. Do it fast and you might live.”

Ten minutes later, I have a list of six possible doctors. With another command, our tech team is tracking their phones, credit cards, movements.

“Sir.” One of my men approaches nervously. “What should we do with him?” He nods toward our prisoner.

I look at my father’s driver, slumped in the chair, barely conscious.

“Keep him alive. He still has information we might need.” I turn to Arkady. “And find my father. When this is over, he and I are going to have a very final conversation.”

As we head upstairs, Arkady tries one more time. “Vince, about Petrov?—”

“My decision is final.” I check my weapon, making sure it’s fully loaded. “I will find my wife and child without inviting another wolf into our home.”

“And if we can’t locate her in time?”

I stop and turn to him, letting him see everything in my eyes: the rage, the fear, the absolute conviction.

“Then there won’t be a Solovyov left alive in this city.” I continue walking. “But that won’t happen. Because I’m going to find her. If I have to tear this world apart piece by bloody fucking piece, I will find her.”

Arkady falls silent. He knows better than to argue with a man on the edge.

And I am on the edge. Balancing precariously between calm and chaos. Between the man Rowan believes I can be and the monster my father created.

I hope for everyone’s sake that the former finds her first.

Because if the monster gets there instead, no one will be left to tell the tale.

4

ROWAN

The contractions are coming so fast now I can barely catch my breath between them. Each one feels like my body is trying to turn itself inside out.

The door opens. I’m praying it’s the doctor, but there’s no way the man who enters knows a damn thing about babies. He’s blunt, hunched, and broad-shouldered, with a face that looks like it’s been repeatedly introduced to a brick wall. He speaks rapidly in Russian to the woman.

I can’t understand the words, but their tone tells me everything I need to know. They’re worried.

“What’s happening?” I ask when I can speak again.

To my surprise, someone replies. “Your husband is causing problems,” the woman says, looking annoyed. “He’s found three of our safe houses already.”

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