And then, he looks away. The moment passes. Whatever mirth might have existed slips away.
I hate how much I want it back. I swallow the knot in my throat, forcing it to shrink.
“You’re right about needing to strike Cardona at the wedding.”
His hands freeze. “Is that so?”
“But not the way you imagined it. This will be a different way.”
He quietly resumes brushing my hair.
I take a shaky breath. “Willow’s father has a connection with the DA. Marion Berkowitz.”
His green eyes flare with anger. “You can’t be serious.”
“Think about it, Pavel. What’s the best way to hit Cardona, if not through his network, to show that he’s not the king of this city?”
He looks away, his expression vicious despite his gentle motions.I knew he’d hate it.But he says nothing. He really is listening.
“We’ve already sorted out a good number of the cops who are helping him.” I frown. “And you said Stepan helped you put a list together of what he remembers?”
He nods. “I did.”
“Then we can use that information to our advantage.”
“You’re jumping in bed with the DA.” His frown deepens.“This is not how we do things.”
“Better than going out in a hail of bullets.”
“I think I prefer that option.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “You promised you’d listen.”
He looks at me. “I am listening, Liya.”
“No, you’re not.”
He sets the brush down, grabs the chair from the desk, and drags it over to me. When he sits down, he urges me to turn to him. He takes my hands in his.
“Go on, Liya. What would the DA be able to do with the information?”
The lump is back. I’m searching his eyes for the truth—and I can tell that he means it. He’s listening. He’s waiting. I have to make this count.
“Berkowitz can run this up to internal affairs. Coordinate with the other boroughs to really squeeze Cardona’s network. Trace every dirty cop, even the ones that we missed. And once he starts cleaning rank, they’ll be too busy jumping ship. And we’ve got enough names to put away enough before the wedding that the rest will start thinking they’re next.”
He cocks his head. Now he’s really listening.
“Imagine the entire network going down from the inside, Pavel,” I tell him. “We wouldn’t have to lift a finger. We would just have to make a deal.”
“A deal.” He sighs. “With the law. This is not our way.”
“You’re out of regular options.” I shrug. “You need something that will protect all of us. I’ve been working on the details. Zoya will be included as well as Willow.” I bow my head. “And you, of course.”
He’s quiet for a long time. I’m not sure what he’s going to say or whether he’s going to approve. I know it’s a long shot.
This isn’t exactly a route that would appeal to most criminals. And it’s easy to see how it could potentially backfire.
But if it works? We can take out a whole hornet’s nest.