Obsessive Boss (Bratva Brothers 4)

"We leave the bratva out of this unless I can safely communicate with Madisyn and it doesn't involve ruining Nikita's life and jeopardizing our own lives again."

Jaxson and Declan exchange a glance. "We'll see what we can do."

There's a heavy silence between them, and I'm not sure what's not being said. "We need to focus on Danvers."

"And we are," Declan assures me. "But it takes time."

"It's been six weeks since we arrived here. That's not enough time?" I thought these guys were the absolute best at their jobs in the world.

"I told you, the money trail is… complicated," Jaxson says.

"What the hell does that mean? You said it wasn't illegal funds, but he's getting some heavy paydays."

"The money flows in from someone higher up in the government."

My stomach falls from his discovery. "Like the director?"

"Higher." Jaxson's expression is grim. "It's political."

"Even so, money aside, Danvers is the one focused on planting evidence and destroying an innocent man's life."

"I wouldn't go that far," Declan says, giving me a pointed look. "Anton is bratva."

"Was bratva," I clarify. "And if you can get me a phone call with Madisyn, untraceable, I would like to talk to her." While Declan and Jaxson don't believe it would be enough to get the bratva off our backs, Madisyn and I used to be friends. Maybe I can use that to convince her that we're not the enemy they believe us to be.

"We'll make it happen."

* * *

Twenty-four hours later, Jaxson informs me that it's time. He provides me with Madisyn's cell phone number and has been tracking her whereabouts to ensure that she's not near Mikhail when I call.

The phone rings, and I wait, holding my breath for her to pick up. She won't recognize the number.

"Hello? Who is this?" Madisyn asks.

I'm relieved that she picked up the phone. "Hi, Madisyn. It's Savannah." I exhale a heavy breath.

"Where are you?"

"I can't tell you that," I say.

There's wind blowing and trees rustling in the background. I imagine she's at a park, probably with her daughter Kira, watching her play.

"You're all over the news. The FBI is searching for you and Anton."

I'd have to be living among the Amish not to know that our faces and information are being broadcasted nationally. "I know," I say. "They're not the only ones hunting us down."

"Well, you shouldn't have gone undercover, Savannah. You knew that's a risk of the job, getting caught. The bratva are dangerous men."

"Mikhail ordered the hit on Anton and me."

Madisyn stalls for a moment. There's silence on the other end of the line, but not complete stillness to make me think the line might be disconnected. She exhales a heavy breath. "It's just business. You betrayed the bratva, and Anton betrayed his men when he covered for you."

"He only knew for a couple of hours. Don't blame him for what I did. That's on me."

"Where are you?" Madisyn asks.

I won't give her my location. I'm inside, seated across from Jaxson. He can hear every word of my end of the conversation. But it's the safest place to ensure that she can't overhear any sounds outside that might alert her to where we are.

"I'm safe," I say. It's all she gets. "You should know that Agent Danvers is framing Anton. Whatever evidence they have, it's not real. Anton didn't betray the bratva."

"The hell he didn't! He walked into the FBI building and turned himself in. I'm sure he wasn't confessing to his crimes. He was asking for a deal and throwing Mikhail into the fire."

"That's not what happened." How can she think that Anton would do that? "You have my word, Madisyn; I was there. He only came to warn me that the bratva was after me."

"I have to go," Madisyn says and clears her throat. "Nikita is coming this way," she warns me.

I bite my bottom lip, refraining from incriminating Nikita in Dmitri's murder.

"Everything that's happened, it's only been to protect me. I love him, Madisyn. You ought to know what that's like. Losing everyone and everything for love."

"I'm sorry, I can't… I have to go."

The line goes dead.

Jaxson glances up at me when I'm finished. "I'm sorry that didn't go according to plan."

"It went perfectly," I say. I wasn't expecting Madisyn to open up to me with welcoming arms. I just wanted her to listen to me, to realize that Anton isn't the monster Mikhail made him out to be. Maybe she can work her charm and help smooth things over. Not that Anton is ready to return to the bratva life, but at least it would be one less organization out to kill us.

* * *