“The permits. That is how we get him,” he says.
Andres pushes several files forward.
“Yes, the money trail is clearer when you trace it through the permits and development projects.”
“How clear?” Nico asks.
“Clear enough that federal charges are possible—if he makes it out of this alive.”
Now everybody shuts up.
Even Ego.
Because federal charges are well and good—but the fact this idiot is gambling his life?
Well, that’s a whole different animal.
Then Marat smiles.
“Interesting.”
Which is Russian billionaire language for somebody's life is about to become deeply unpleasant.
My phone vibrates.
I glance down.
Immediately sit up straighter as her name appears in bold.
Firecracker
The contact picture alone makes me smile.
Unfortunately, everybody notices.
“Jesus Christ,” Noel mutters.
“Oh, look,” Ego says. “It's his girlfriend.”
“Not helping,” I growl.
“Definitely his girlfriend.”
“Shut up.”
The phone vibrates again.
URGENT.
My pulse immediately spikes.
“What?” Ego asks.
“It’s Mary. She marked it urgent.”
The room goes silent.
Every father in this room has daughters.