8. Lexi
CHAPTER EIGHT
LEXI
Lying on the couch in my office, I can hear the rhythmic tapping of Robyn’s fingers on the keyboard. With each keystroke, my heart races in anticipation of the results.
When the typing suddenly stops, I turn toward the conference table to see her looking up from her laptop, her brow furrowed in thought.
“Well?” I ask.
She meets my gaze and replies, “We’re broke.”
So, what’s new?
I roll my eyes. “We’re always broke,” I reply with a sigh.
“After covering the hospital expenses, payroll, and rent for this warehouse, we can afford approximately $500,000.” She holds the check we didn’t give to the care facility. “If it weren’t for this check, we’d only have half of that.”
That wasn’t the news I expected. “That’s it? I’m already eating grilled cheese sandwiches every day, and that’s all we have?”
“Since we began our new mission to find Petrov, we haven’t been able to take on paying jobs.”
She’s absolutely right. We need money. It’s time for me to get back to work.
The bell rings from upstairs, and I can’t help but sigh. “I’ll get it,” Lacey calls out, balancing a plate of food as she heads off to help Ruby.
Ever since we took her in, Ruby has been a constant pain in my ass, ringing that damn bell at all hours.
Our warehouse has only three bedrooms, and Lacey and Robyn occupy the other two.
I gave Ruby my room, which means I’m now stuck sleeping on this lumpy couch.
I would do anything for a comfortable bed right now.
“Are you going to share what she said that pissed you off the other day?”
“She’s just being a cunt!” I respond sharply, jumping off the couch as I neatly fold my blanket.
“You sure we want to move into this new venture?”
“Absolutely!” Looking at the whiteboard, I stare at one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.
While others may view this old, dingy card room in a rough neighborhood as a waste of money, I see it as an opportunity.
Next to the picture is my plan to turn this crumbling business into a small casino with a high profit margin and the ability to launder our illegal cash.
The problem is that I need $3 million for renovations.
I was poised to renovate the card room within six months, but unexpected hospital bills have drained my funds. I urgently need to turn the neglected building into a source of income, or I risk losing it when property taxes are due in 90 days.
“I’m not going to say it,” Robyn mumbles, almost under her breath.
“Then don’t!” I retort with frustration.
“Lexi, we need to consider it.”
“I said no! Do we need to talk about this every week?” This conversation is stressing me out. I refuse to ask Elise or Ivy for money. It’s not an option!
“I’ll figure it out!” I reassure her. “Just keep looking for more jobs.”
Lacey runs down the stairs, flinging dirty dishes into the sink while clutching her laptop tightly. “I’ve got something!”
“Valentin?” I turn my attention to her. It’s been a week since Valentin’s private plane departed for Russia, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting his return.
“I think he’s back,” she replies confidently.
“Well, I didn’t see his plane listed on any manifests.” Robyn clicks away on her laptop.
Lacey joins her at the table. “It’s not on the list, but I saw an event on his calendar for tomorrow. I cross-referenced it and found that the Pakhan’s plane arrived last night. I’m assuming the Brigadier traveled with him.”
A hacker friend helped me access Valentin’s business calendar, allowing me to track his activities for weeks.
“Where is his event tomorrow?” I think it might be the perfect opportunity to visit the Brigadier.
“It’s at the Westport Hotel,” Lacey says.
“Any details on his schedule?” I ask.
She gives me a worried look. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop it.”
“Details?” I push for more information.
“It appears to be his fiftieth birthday party.”
“Aww, how fun!” I twirl around the room in a dance before rummaging through the pile of clothes sitting in boxes, looking for something to wear to the event.
Robyn cautions me, “Lexi! You can’t be serious. He’s a brigadier! The entire Bratva will be there.”
“All I need from you is a plan to get me into the party. I’ll handle the Brigadier.”
“Who’s the Brigadier?” Ruby asks, stumbling into the room with a slight cough.
“That’s none of your fucking business!” I snap, turning my back to her, searching for the perfect dress.
She joins me as we go through the boxes of clothes and selects a sexy black dress for me, with an elegantly open back that reaches my waist. “I love this one!”
I take a quick look, and yes, it’s exactly what I need. I grab it from her hands. “Thank you!”
She sits on the edge of the couch. “I’m sorry for what I said.”
I notice both Robyn and Lacey slipping out, their footsteps trailing away upstairs. “It’s fine,” I mumble.
“I thought about things during my stay in the hospital. I was in a dark place. The three of you took care of me, and it means a lot. You’re my family, Lexi.”
I pull her into a hug, feeling the softness of her hair against my cheek and the way her body relaxes against mine, as though we are little kids again. “I love you, Ruby.”
“I know, and I love you too,” she says, gently pulling away while squeezing my hand. “But it’s time you sort things out with Elise.”
As she wobbles up the stairs, her coughs and moans repeat loudly in the open space.
In solitude, I sift through my thoughts. I can’t go back and make things right with her. It’s too late. She’s Bratva, and so is Petrov.
Right now, as much as I hate it, Elise Savin is the enemy.