REIGN ON ASHES

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

DEREK

“So, this is our new house?” Mori, muffled, standing in front of the apartment Collins bought, and holding her teddy, eyes glued to the one-story apartment, had this “It’s better than I imagined” look written all over her face.

I pulled out our bags from the trunk of the car, and stood next to her, “This should be fine.” I whispered.

“Should be, as long as you don’t come back home covered in blood.” She mumbled, it was low, low enough for just her ears but after years of training as an agent, I know when and how to listen to conversations I shouldn’t be listening to as I heard my daughter loud and clear.

I turned to her, brows arched, eyes glued to her until she could feel my gaze burning her skin. She turned to me, this innocent look plastered all over her face, lips pouted as she shrugged.

I sighed and shook my head, “Shall we?” I gestured towards the door and she followed, humming playfully.

----

It’s been two days since we moved to Russia, and Colins gave me a few days to settle in before resuming work.

“Mori, you’re going to be late for school!” I called out, glancing through my phone as I waited for her in the living room. My daughter thinks she is a grown adult who can prepare herself for school. Who am I to object?

And now, here I am waiting after thirty minutes, expecting her to come down.

We have twenty minutes until she is late for school and I have forty minutes until I am late for my first day at work.

Great.

The last time I felt this way was before her mother died. Mori’s mother was just like this, she always made sure she was late, for a reason I don’t even know and hell she is a very gorgeous woman who looks exquisite even in my rags…wrong reference but you get what I mean…Anyway, I never expected Mori to take after her mother like this.

“Mori, you’re going to be late for your first day at school!” I barked again, I was so close to heading over to her room when her voice came through.

“I’m coming..I’m coming.” Her tiny cheerful voice ran through the room as she opened the door and walked out.

Oh, thank goodness, finally.

We got into the car and I took my daughter to her new school. Thankfully I had done most of the registration online so I didn’t have much to do in person.

“Bye Dad, have a great day at work.” She waved.

“You too, amore.” I waved back.

Buzz.

Bart was calling.

Unfortunately, Bart could not fly over with us. The moron forgot he still had unfinished business. Colin refused to let him come with me until he finished his business.

“I’m still mad at you, so whatever it is you want to talk to me about, make sure it’s worth it,” I grumbled.

“I miss you too, Derek, I wish I were there with you..” The low seductiveness of his voice irked me so much that I was so close to hitting the red button but I knew he called for a reason.

“Talk.” I sneered.

“So, I did a few background checks on the cops and chiefs at the station you were assigned.” He began.

Atta boy.

This was why I wanted him here with me in Russia, he is the fastest finger I know. About to dig into the darkest well to get whatever information he wants.

My lips curled into a smile hands on the wheel as I waited for the red light to turn green, “So what did you find?” I asked.

“Dirty cops.” He grunted. “Almost every cop is linked to a politician or mob bosses or Mafia or someone with power. The chief of police too. I also did some digging into the persecutors, the south region is just as corrupt but if you need one to rely on for your investigation, use the north jurisdiction.” He explained, word for word.

I knew this part was dark and dirty but damn, half of the cops at my station are dirty? This means I have to be careful what I share and where I thread and most importantly, I need to make sure I have no friends whatsoever.

“Oh, I forgot to mention, you have a partner.” He blurted.

“What?” I fired, parking my car outside the station. “I have a partner? Boss knows I work alone, why would he give me a partner?” I sneered.

“Because you are not there as an agent but a detective, and detectives have partners.” He explained.

Bullshit.

Colins just wanted to put me on a leash to make sure I don’t go looking into my wife’s death until he gives me the go-ahead.

Fucking bastard!

“Tell me everything I need to know about this partner.” I hissed, unbuckling my seatbelt, pulling my phone closer.

“His name is Luan, It’s his sixth year as a detective. He is not tied to any politician but he has two as his enemies, turns out he made sure their sons were arrested and jailed…. I’ll send the file for the full details. Overall, he seems like a good guy.” He mumbled.

“But..” I added, already knowing from the tone of his voice that he wasn’t done.

Bart sighed, “This is not verified yet but on the table you arrived in Russia, Laun received an unidentified number from our country…I have a feeling he would be watching your every move.”

Ah…I see.

A spy to report things I remove from my report…How nice.

“Send me a picture of this Laun guy.” I hissed.

Silence.

Ding.

I checked my phone.

It’s an Asian dude…Tall, about six feet, broad shoulders, has a scar on his jaw, looks good…looks clean, I mean…he looks like a clean cop.

Knock Knock. I heard a knock on the window of my car.

I turned and he was already standing there, waving at me with a bright smile, and in his hands were two cups of coffee.

You have got to be kidding me.

Please don’t be another Bart, I can’t handle two Barts at the same time, and worse, one of them is spying on me.

Great.