Chapter 4 | Katia
Katia
Isat at my desk, buried in my laptop as a knock sounded on the door. Michael breezed in and I rose.
“Sure, come on in,” I teased, smiling as he approached.
“You’ve got me worried,” he said, striding toward me and glancing at my laptop. “Please tell me there’s not another crisis I need to handle. We were having a good run.”
Sighing, I gestured toward the chairs in front of my desk. “Have a seat and I’ll show you everything.” I brought my laptop around and situated it on the desk before sitting beside him.
Pointing to the screen, I showed him the transactions. “These are three transactions that I’ve identified as fraudulent. I’m going to the bank to speak to Gerald this afternoon, and I’ll be ensuring they’re reversed and blocked moving forward.”
Michael’s eyebrows drew together. “Where did they come from?”
“The Cayman Islands,” I said, my tone relaying the seriousness of the situation. “I met with Leo this morning to pick his brain, and here’s everything I know...”
I brought Michael up to speed on the situation, my heart beating a bit quicker as his features contorted with anger.
“Those mother fuckers,” he said, harshly rubbing his forehead. “They want to put me in prison.”
I nodded. “Leo thinks they’ll come for me first, try to turn me, and hope that I implicate you to save myself.”
Michael expelled a frustrated breath. “Should I be angry that Leo knew about this before I did?”
“No,” I said, confidently straightening my spine. “I knew you’d want me to come prepared, and Leo was able to give me valuable insight.”
Michael squinted one eye as he contemplated. “True. And it’s good that he’s in the loop in case someone reports me to the feds.”
“Exactly.” Sighing, I ran my hand through my hair.
“I’m sorry I didn’t catch the transactions right away,” I continued, feeling my pulse tick in my neck at the frustration in Michael’s expression.
“I’m pretty comfortable with the new software Alexis installed, but I’m not an expert yet and I just missed it. It’s unacceptable.”
Michael’s features softened as he encircled my wrist. “I’m not upset at you. I’m pissed at the bastards who won’t leave me alone and just let me live in peace.” He gently squeezed my wrist as he spoke in a solemn tone. “You caught it quickly, and I appreciate it.”
“I would never turn on you, Michael,” I said, my words gravelly with emotion. “You’ve given me so much, and I’d go to jail before I implicate you.”
His features softened. “I’ve never doubted your loyalty for a minute, Katia. I trust you implicitly.” Sitting back in his chair, he steepled his fingers atop his lips as he contemplated. “But I’d rather keep both of us out of prison.”
“Leo thinks this is the work of that genius hacker who works for Oskar,” I said. “After I meet with Gerald at the bank, I’m going to meet with Alexis and see if she can help me figure out how to find him.”
Concern entered Michael’s dark eyes. “No. That’s too dangerous—”
I held up my hand. “Yes, but we’re already in danger. I won’t sit idly by with a target on my back. You know me better than anyone, and you know I’m not going to rest until I figure out how to end this.”
Michael’s lips thinned. “I’m destined to be surrounded by stubborn women who don’t listen to a damn word I say.”
Laughing, I nodded. “I would say that makes you a very lucky man, but what do I know? I promise I’ll be safe, and Leo has agreed to help me.”
Michael’s eyes darted between mine as he seemed to hesitate.
“What?” I asked, feeling my eyebrows draw together.
“I just...” he cleared his throat. “I have a feeling Leo is extremely happy to help you.”
“What does that mean?”
Sitting forward, he tilted his head. “I think he’s got a thing for you. I haven’t said anything because it’s none of my business, but he speaks about you with a sort of...” he waved his hand, searching for the word, “reverent curiosity. I’ve noticed it several times.”
“Oh, I...” I bit my lip as I digested that little nugget of information. “Well, I haven’t ever noticed anything. He always seems uncomfortable when we meet in the private room to share intel.”
“Yeah, I don’t really think strip clubs are his thing.”
“Um, no, they certainly aren’t,” I said, laughing.
“So, what do you need me to do here?” Michael asked, pointing at the laptop. “I want to end this before any more transactions are made.”
“Honestly? I want you to stay out of it,” I said, lifting my chin.
“The less you know, the better. It will make it harder to implicate you. Let me meet with Gerald and Alexis, and I’ll stay on it.
You know I’m not going to let anyone hurt me or my family, and I consider you family, Michael.
Let me do my best to squash this thing on my end. ”
“Absolutely not,” he droned. “I’m going to assign Alexis to track the hacker’s location. She hasn’t been able to locate him yet, but I’ve also had her working on several projects. This is going to take priority, and I’ll shelve her other projects for now.”
“That’s good to know for when I meet with her later. I want to ask her to place some sort of block on any non-US transactions on our account. Do you think she can do something like that?”
“No idea,” Michael said with a shrug, “but if anyone can, it’s Alexis. I’m also going to have Joaquin and Enzo increase their surveillance of Oskar. They’ve been keeping an eye on him, but I’m going to increase it substantially.”
His gaze swung to mine. “Do not do anything to jeopardize your safety, Katia. I mean it.” His voice was solemn and filled with concern. “I’m not upset, but if you get yourself hurt, I’m going to be pissed. Let me handle tracking down the hacker.”
“Okay,” I said, swallowing thickly at the knowledge that it just wasn’t in my nature to sit idly by and do nothing. “I’ll try.”
“That’s not reassuring,” Michael muttered.
“I’ll be fine,” I said, gliding my hand over his knee. “I really like living, and Sonya will murder me if I don’t feed her every day,” I said, referencing my cat. “She’s got me wrapped around her little paw.”
Michael rose and pulled me to my feet. Squeezing my hand, he stared deep into my eyes. “I consider you family too. Always.”
My lips trembled with emotion as I grinned. “I know. Thank you for not being angry.”
“You’ve done nothing to be angry at.” He pulled out his phone and glanced at the time. “I’ve got a meeting with one of Sal’s capos in the Bronx. Let me know how the meeting goes with Gerald at the bank.”
“Will do.”
Michael gave a nod and headed toward the door. When he reached it, he turned and lifted a finger. “I mean it, Katia. Stay safe.”
Once he was gone, I sat behind my desk, circling my thumbs in my lap as I contemplated. Of course, putting myself in danger was a terrible idea, but I was also pissed.
Pissed that I’d missed the transactions when they initially happened.
Pissed that someone wanted me to turn against Michael and jeopardize everything I’d built.
But moreover, I was pissed that the bratva thought they could fuck with me again. I’d lost my sister to them, and a raging hatred burned in my heart toward anyone who supported trafficking or harming women in any way.
Yes, I would do my best to stay safe. But I also wouldn’t rest until I tracked down the hacker, the men he worked for, and everyone else determined to harm me and the only family I had left.
And the men who thought I’d turn and crumble easily? I looked forward to showing them the cost of underestimating someone like me, who’d already experienced enough pain to withstand anything the bastards threw at me...