“L.A., as in the hub for the Syndicate?” I add.
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“Aidan Romanov, Pakhan of the L.A. Brotherhood, and also part of the new Syndicate.”
My soul quivers as the words fall from her lips. “What part does he play in this?”
“Jude has him listed as a former enforcer for the Order.We all know what enforcer’s do. Either they kill or they take.”
My lungs constrict. I’ve never heard of Aidan Romanov, but what Amy said is enough to tell me everything I need to know.
Danger.
That’s what that man is.
Aidan Romanov is danger, and all those credentials after his name are a warning to stay the fuck away.
He’s a Bratva Pakhan. The actual boss of his Brotherhood and to add to that he’s a member of the Syndicate.
Anda former enforcer for the Order.
A killer. A man who killed for a living.
God, Eric, what did you get yourself into?
“What are you thinking Amy?” I ask. “Do you think Aiden might know where Eric is?”
“Maybe. I think we should factor in all possibilities at this point. Jude wouldn’t have him listed for no reason. There was nothing to suggest he still works for the Order, but that doesn’t mean he’s not.” Amy nods, pulling in a deep breath.
“Why are they keeping Eric alive?” Mom asks.
“I think it’s the same reason they recruited him. It’s got to be because of what he can do. Eric is a genius like your grandfather,” Amy adds.
I couldn’t agree more. My grandfather was a man of many talents, but also a man with secrets. “He might have acted like the badass rebel on the regular, but he is a duplicate of your grandfather. Markov Tech is a weapon and cybertechnology company. Imagine what people like them could do with a company like yours and a manlike Eric.”
“What can we do now?” Mom asks. “Where do we go from here?Where do we even start?”
That is the real problem. What do we do with this information?
“My best guess is that our next move should be to go to L.A. and find a way to see what Aiden Romanov knows,” Amy replies.
“But who can go?” Mom rasps.
It’s another good question.
“I was thinking I could—” Amy begins but I cut her off by raising my hand.
“No. If your next words were to go to L.A. then it’s a no,” I answer and Mom nods.
“We are not putting you in any more danger,” Mom agrees.
“I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you,” I say.“Please tell me Jude won’t know you helped us.”
“No, he won’t. My contact works outside the realms of everything, and that’s why I didn’t use any of my devices at work or at home.He will never know.”
“Good. I think that’s it. You should stop helping now.”