Chapter 104 The truth.
Gavin’s POV
Alexei’s eyes stayed fixed on the body slumped in the chair behind me. Blood pooled slowly on the concrete, spreading in a dark circle that reflected the warehouse’s dim overhead lights.
“You didn’t have to kill him,” Alexei said. His voice was steady, but I caught the slight tightness in his throat. “He told you what you wanted.”
“He did,” I agreed. “Which is why it was quick.”
Kane moved around to stand beside me, creating a wall between Alexei and the exit. Not that he could have made it anyway. I’d had Marcus position men at every possible exit point within a three-block radius.
“Sit,” I said, gesturing to a chair Kane had already positioned in the center of the warehouse.
Alexei didn’t move immediately. His eyes swept the room…looking for anything he could use. I recognized the behavior. I’d done the same thing countless times.
“Your men outside are already dead,” I said . “Marcus is very efficient. So unless you’d like to join them, I suggest you sit down and we have a civilized conversation.”
His jaw tightened. But he walked to the chair and sat.
I pulled up another chair and positioned it directly in front of him. Close enough that our knees almost touched.
“Names,” I said simply. “Everyone involved in Volkov’s operation. Every single person who touches this business.”
Alexei’s mouth pressed into a thin line. Kane’s hand came down on his shoulder.
“I suggest you start talking,” I continued. “Because my patience tonight is exceptionally thin. And that of my friend is even thinner.”
He swallowed hard. I could see him weighing his options, running through scenarios in his head. Loyalty versus survival. Honor versus agony.Survival won. It usually did.
“Volkov runs three locations,” he said finally. “This one. One in Brighton Beach. One in Red Hook.”
“I didn’t ask about locations. I asked about people.”
His eyes dropped to the floor. “There’s… there’s a network. Of suppliers, transporters and buyers.”
“Names,” I repeated.
The list was long. Longer than I’d expected. Men with legitimate businesses serving as fronts. Politicians who looked the other way for the right price. Police officers on Volkov’s payroll. Each name he gave felt like another stone added to a pile of human filth.
I memorized every single one.
Kane stood silent beside me, but I could feel the tension radiating off him. The barely controlled violence coiling tighter with each name Alexei spoke.
“Who else?” I asked when he paused. “You’re missing people. I can tell.”
Alexei’s hands trembled slightly where they rested on his knees. “That’s everyone in the direct operation. I swear.”
“What about buyers?” Kane spoke for the first time since we’d started. “Who purchases from Volkov?”
“That’s… that’s different. Those people are protected. I give you those names and I’m dead within twenty-four hours no matter what promises you make me.”
“You’re dead right now if you don’t,” I said simply.
Kane’s grip on his shoulder tightened.
Alexei’s breath came faster. “Okay. Okay. There’s a list. Of high-profile buyers.”
“Give me the names.”
He did.
Businessmen. Celebrities. Old money aristocrats who thought their wealth put them above the law. Each name made my stomach turn.
Then Kane spoke again, and something in his tone made me glance at him.
“Christian, he is associated with the Martinez family,” Kane said. “Is he on the list?”
Alexei’s face went white.The reaction told me everything I needed to know.
I looked at Kane. His expression hadn’t changed, but I knew him well enough to see the fury burning behind his eyes. The barely controlled rage that made his jaw tight and his hands flex.
“Answer him,” I said quietly.
“I…” Alexei’s voice cracked. “Yes. Christian l. He’s one of the regular buyers.”
Kane’s hand left Alexei’s shoulder. He took a step back, and for a moment I thought he might put a bullet through the man’s head right then and there.
“How long?” Kane’s voice was ice. “How long has he been buying?”
“Three years. Maybe four.”
“What does he prefer?” The question came out so calm it was terrifying. “Ages. Backgrounds. Be specific.”
Alexei looked like he might be sick. “Young. Always young. Fourteen, fifteen. Eastern European mostly. With Dark hair.” He swallowed hard. “He likes them scared. Volkov… Volkov always made sure they were properly terrified before delivery.”
The temperature in the warehouse dropped to arctic levels.
I understood now why Kane had insisted on coming tonight. Why he’d been so adamant about being part of this operation despite usually preferring to work alone. This has to do with Aria.
And also about nailing the bastard to the wall for crimes that made even hardened criminals sick.
Kane pulled out his phone. Typed something quickly. Then looked at me.
“Marcus needs to hear this.”
I nodded.
Kane put the phone on speaker and dialed. Marcus picked up on the first ring.
“Talk to me,” Marcus said.
“We need recording equipment here. Now,” Kane said. “And I need federal prosecutors standing by.”
“What do you have?”
“ detailed information on human trafficking. We can finally nail Christian"
There was a pause on the other end. Then: “The Christian? Harrison son?”
“Yes.”
“Jesus Christ.” Marcus exhaled slowly. “Okay. I’m sending a team. Twenty minutes. Can your witness hold until then?”
Kane looked at Alexei. “Can you repeat everything you just told us? On record? To federal prosecutors?”
Alexei nodded frantically. “Yes. Yes. If you protect me, I’ll testify to everything. All of it.”
“He’ll cooperate,” Kane told Marcus.
“Good. And can you two please make sure he stays alive?”
“How long?”
“At least until my team gets there. We need him breathing for this to stick.”
“Understood.”
Marcus hung up.
Kane pocketed his phone and looked down at Alexei. “You’re going to bury Christian so deep he never sees daylight again. Understand?”
“I understand.”
“And if you even think about changing your story or leaving anything out…” Kane leaned down until his face was level with Alexei’s. “I will find you. No new identity, no protection, no amount of running will save you. I will find you and I will make you wish you’d died quickly like your friend over there.”
Alexei’s whole body shook. “I won’t. I swear. I’ll tell them everything.”