It’s no secret all the syndicate couples can’t keep their hands off their partner. Maddy and I are no better—no worse—than anyone else.
We’re breaking a cardinal rule and using the sat phone at the bodega to call Misha Andreyev. Normally, this phone is only for emergencies, but we need to plan what we do next before we go anywhere else.
“Once you tell me why you targeted Madeline.”
My temper is already on its last thread. He needs to fucking answer me.
“Targeted her for what? What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Drew O’Sheehan. Why’d you target Madeline to get to him?”
“I didn’t target Madeline.”
Misha sounds pretty adamant, but he could lie to God and get away with it.
“I never would. What does she have to do with this?”
“You knew who she was dating.”
“So?”
I inhale, trying to regain the patience I lost the moment I heard his voice. Going around in circles won’t help us, and me continuing to be belligerent will only shoot me in the foot. I exhale slowly before I try again.
“You know Madeline’s been involved with Drew. You know who and what Drew is. How could you not believe going after him wouldn’t affect Madeline?”
“Because, unlike your family, he keeps women and children out of our business.”
I grit my teeth, reminding myself I can’t explode at him over something he couldn’t possibly know. Obviously, he hasn’t spoken to Maks, or Laura hasn’t told Maks everything yet.
“Misha, O’Sheehan’s the worst of all of us. Not only did he get Madeline involved, he made her one of his mules.”
I don’t want to confess much more than that. But I may have to, and it won’t remain a secret among their family for long, even if I’m not the one to say anything.
“What are you talking about?”
The edge to Misha’s voice isn’t directed toward me. I’ve known him since I arrived in the States, which wasn’t too long after he and his family arrived from Russia. I know when he’s being pissy or threatening me, and when it’s for someone else.
“Ask Laura for more of the details. She’ll know what Madeline would want shared. I won’t divulge anything else.”
“How the hell would you know more than Laura?”
I cock an eyebrow, even though I know he can’t see me. My silence says just as much.
“Motherfucker, you cannot be serious. There is no way in hell Madeline Doyle picked you.”
“Well, I sure am a far sight better than the piece of shit she’s been with.”
“So, you think she’s trading up?”
The snideness in Misha’s voice makes me want to throat punch him. But again, belligerence won’t win the day here.
“Misha, when you went after Drew, you gave him information that allowed him to track Madeline. She ran away from him over a month ago.”
“Ran away? Not broke up, but ran away?”
“Yeah, so what does that tell you about their relationship? She’s been hiding ever since.”
“She wasn’t hiding when she went to your uncle’s reception.”
