Russian Mobster's Obsession by Bella Rose Read Free Book Online

as usual. I got into the van, exited the wharf neighborhood, and didn’t turn on my lights until I was well away from the pickup location.”
    “What did you hear inside the cargo area of the van?” Karkoff asked, his expression that of a spider carefully spinning a web to catch his prey.
    Viktor knew he had to be careful here. “I heard nothing unusual, if that’s what you’re asking. You don’t tell me anything about the cargo and I don’t ask. I don’t want to know. I met Sasha at the same spot in the park exactly as normal, and we traded vans. I drove the white van to the second drop-off point and left it there. Everything went exactly as normal.”
    “Except the cargo was missing!” Karkoff burst out angrily.
    Viktor breathed evenly, forcing himself to remain calm and in control. He offered Karkoff a confused look and nothing more. “I’m sorry, sir, but are we talking about the cargo in the brown van or the white one?”
    Regardless of the anxiety seething in the pit of Viktor’s stomach, he had apparently said the correct thing. Karkoff heaved a giant sigh. “I told them I could not believe that you would have had anything to do with the loss of the cargo. I can see that I was correct.”
    “I’m terribly sorry if there was damage to the cargo, but I know nothing about it. I’m paid to drive and that’s all I do. Beyond that, I want no additional information.” Viktor held out his hands in supplication. “The less I know, the less I have to offer a law enforcement official if I’m hauled in for questioning for some reason.”
    “ Da ,” Karkoff said, waving at Viktor. “I know. You are your father’s son in every way.”
    It was supposed to be a compliment, but the words burned instead. Viktor had no desire to be like his father. The man had been Karkoff’s creature completely. Even until his association with the Russian mobster had ended in his death.
    “Viktor,” Karkoff began, his tone supercilious at best. “It has not gone unnoticed that you have served this family for years without asking anything in return.”
    Viktor forced himself to give a nonchalant shrug. “You have paid me well for my services. It’s hardly a one-sided arrangement.”
    “Perhaps, but I have been speaking to my lieutenants about giving you the opportunity to pledge to the family and become a full member,” Karkoff said as though he truly believed it was the highest honor he could bestow.
    Viktor struggled to find an answer that would not insult the man while simultaneously preserving his freedom. “I have no complaints about the situation as it stands,” Victor told Karkoff respectfully. “I appreciate the compliment, but I find myself quite happy with the way things are.”
    “And quite happy that Katie McClellan has returned to town as well?” Karkoff said offhandedly.
    “Katie is a pleasant distraction, I suppose,” Viktor allowed. “Although it was she who determined long ago that there is a huge gulf between our life goals and our situations.”
    “Very true.” Karkoff seemed pleased with that answer.
    Viktor glanced at his watch. “I believe I’ve wasted far too much of your valuable time today.”
    “Too true,” Karkoff agreed. “Next week you can expect the usual schedule.”
    “Thank you.” Viktor nodded his respect to the mafia boss before turning and walking back out of the study.
    He discovered that the two beefy enforcers were still standing in the foyer when he returned. Viktor couldn’t help needling them just a little. It was their own fault for being such easy targets.
    “I’ll try to stop by later this week with a few sweater samples for the two of you to try on,” Viktor told them solemnly. “I’m sure you’ll both look smashing.”
    They glared at him as he walked out the front door. Viktor’s relief was so acute that he couldn’t help but laugh.
     
    Chapter Seven
     
     
    Max stared at the ball Katie had brought to the park. He obviously expected her to hurry