Chapter 39
-Logan-
I shoved open the chapel door. The room was already full, and every head at the table turned toward me.
I met their stares. Talon’s eyes locked on mine and I caught a flicker of irritation.
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“Son.” He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. “We here to talk about the dumb shit you pulled last night?”
I clenched my jaw. Pulled out the chair next to him and dropped into it with a thud.
“Becker’s not gonna back off,” I said, cutting straight to the point. “He’s tryin‘ to bury us. We need to hit back.”
“I’m assuming you got a plan,” Jake said from the head of the table. “Becker’s got the law on his side. He’s not gonna back off just because we’re pissed. And we’re not gonna kill him.”
“We don’t need to kill him,” I said, leaning forward. “We just need leverage. Somethin‘ to even the playing field.”
Talon’s brows shot up. “And how are we supposed to do that? He’s not gonna leave a trail of breadcrumbs to follow.”
River leaned back in his chair, propping his boots up on the table like he owned the place. “We could leak somethin‘ to the press,” he suggested, shrugging. “Becker has other enemies. Someone’s gotta be willing to take him down if we give ‘em ammo.”
Jake glared at him. “Son, get your feet off the goddamn table. And that won’t work. He’ll have it buried before it hits the front page.”
Link chimed in. “What about his finances? That scumbag has to have dirty money somewhere.”
Talon snorted. “Becker’s as clean as they come. Detective Do–right. He’s not takin‘ dirty money from anyone.”
My fists clenched under the table. They were talking in circles, throwing out half–baked ideas that wouldn’t get us anywhere.
Becker wasn’t some low–level thug we could intimidate with a few threats or rumors. He was a pig with power, and he knew how to use it.
Jake’s eyes landed on me. “You got somethin‘ to add, Logan?”
I met his stare, my jaw tight. “Yeah. I do.”
All eyes were on me again. “We need someone who knows how to play dirty,” I said. “Someone who’s been in the shadows long enough to know where the bodies are buried.”
River frowned. “Who the hell are you talkin‘ about?”
I hesitated for a second, glancing around the table. Then I said the name that had been sitting on the tip of my tongue since I left the cell. “We call Viktor.”
The room went silent. Even the buzz from the overhead lights seemed to fade out,
Talon’s jaw went tight. “Viktor… We haven’t heard from him in years.”
“Yeah,” I said, holding his gaze. “But he has connections. If anyone can dig up dirt on Becker, it’s him. You have to admit it, Pop.”
Talon exhaled sharp, running a hand over his face. “Viktor Ivanov is a ghost, Logan. He didn’t even tell us where he was goin! You really think he’s gonna come running because we call?”
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Chapter 39
“He will if Mom calls.”
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Talon glared at me, but he didn’t argue. He knew I was right. Viktor had disappeared years ago, but he’d been like a brother
once.
“I’ll have her try his old numbers,” Talon said finally. “And I’ll put the word out to the Russians. But don’t hold your breath.”
Relief hit me. I nodded.
It was a long shot, but it was the best shot we had.
-Hailey-
I paced the length of the hallway outside the chapel, my footsteps echoing against the walls.
I couldn’t sit still. Not when Logan was in there, locked away with the rest of the Warriors, planning their next move.
Not when Becker was still out there planning *his* next move.
I glanced at the door every few seconds, hoping it would open. Hoping Logan would step out and tell me it was all over, that they had a solid plan and we were safe.
- 4.
But the door stayed shut, and the voices inside stayed muffled enough that I couldn’t hear what they were discussing.
Finally, I decided enough was enough. I had to step away to stop myself from bursting in through the chapel door myself.
I headed out to the main room, where Scarlett was tending the bar with Trina.
“What do you think they’re talking about in there?” I asked, plopping down on the stool across from her.
Scarlett shrugged, her gaze flicking toward the door as she poured two shots of whiskey. “Knowing them? Probably the best way to blow something up.”
I laughed nervously as she handed me one of the shots. “They wouldn’t do that, would they?”
She smirked, but I could tell she was nervous too. She clinked her glass against mine, and we both tossed the shots back. “They wouldn’t blow up a cop station. But they’re not gonna sit around while Maverick rots. Or wait for Becker to strike again.”
I chewed on my bottom lip, feeling the whiskey warm me from the inside “Logan said he knew someone who could help… who is Viktor?”
Scarlett smirked again, and she leaned on the bar. “Wow, haven’t heard that name in a while.” She looked lost in thought for a second.
“Viktor Ivanov,” she said finally. Her voice was soft, almost reverent, “Uncle Viktor. I’ll be surprised if they’re able to get ahold of him.”
I raised an eyebrow, pushing my empty shot glass toward her. “He’s your uncle? Laura and Jake’s brother, then?”
She sighed, refilling our glasses. “He’s not really my uncle. He’s… a friend of the family. He and my grandpa used to be thick as thieves.” She paused, sliding the glass back to me.
“He’s Russian. Operates… outside the law. Quiet, but deadly. Logan and I loved him like family. But then…” She paused, sighing and tossing back her whiskey. “A few years ago, he just disappeared. No explanation, no goodbye. Just… poof. Gone.”
I frowned, trying to piece it together. “Why would he leave like that?”
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Chapter 39
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Scarlett shrugged, her fingers tapping on the bar. “No one knows. But if anyone can dig up dirt on Becker, it’s Viktor. He’s got connections in places most people don’t even know exist.”
The whiskey sat heavy in my stomach. “And you think he’ll come back and help? Just like that?”
She hesitated, her blue eyes meeting mine. “If anyone can convince him, it’s Dad. And Mom. Viktor…” She smiled faintly, but there was sadness in it. “He has a soft spot for her. Always did.”
The door to the chapel creaked open, and my head snapped toward it. Logan stepped out and his eyes immediately landed on me. My heart skipped a beat as I slid off the stool and hurried toward him.
“Well?” I murmured. “What’s the plan?”
His green eyes locked onto mine, and I saw the weight of everything pressing down on him. “We’re callin‘ Viktor,” he said, his voice rough.
I nodded, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. “And if he doesn’t answer?”
Logan’s jaw flexed, and he glanced over my shoulder toward Scarlett. “Then we’ll handle it ourselves. Nobody’s gonna take down the club without a fight.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
