Chapter 31

Alex was kept busy most of the week doing security work for Grace. When Friday rolled around, she let him off around noon. Next week, Melissa and her girls were going to get bused to the church, so he wanted to make a quick stop before that happened. He rode his bike to the Agri-Tech Fertilizer headquarters.

Alex went to the reception desk and asked for Alexei Mikhailov. Ten minutes later, his secretary came down and brought him to the former Russian mobster’s office.

“He’s expecting you. Go on in.”

Alex walked in and closed the door behind him. Alexei gave him a curious look.

“What brings you here today?”

“Did your friends receive the package I found for them?” Alex asked.

“Yes, and I’ve been assured that your father has protection from his former employer,” Alexei said, looking pleased.

Alex wasn’t sure that would be true after next week. As he gathered his thoughts, he looked around the office and saw it looked Spartan compared to the décor of its former occupant. Peter Donnelly had been the type who put up vanity photos of him rubbing elbows with important people. It seemed that Alexei didn’t need his ego stroked.

“That’s good. I need to ask you a question,” Alex said.

“I’ll answer it if I can.”

“Are you still involved with your former employer beyond giving them tips?” Alex asked.

“What do you mean?” the former mob boss asked.

Alex swallowed because his mouth had just gone dry.

“Are you involved in any ‘businesses’ here in Oklahoma besides Agri-Tech Fertilizer?”

“The honest answer is ‘no,’ I’m not. My question is, why are you asking?” Alexei asked.

“Because I’m about to stop something I don’t think is right, and I wanted to make sure it didn’t blow back on you.”

Alexei sat up straight in his chair, and a scary look came over his face. Grown men had pissed their pants when seeing that look. Alexei might seem friendly, but Alex knew he shouldn’t push him.

“Are some of my guys involved?”

“I think so,” Alex admitted.

Alexei’s face turned red, and he slammed his fist on his desk, causing Alex to nearly jump out of his skin. He was about to make a hasty exit when the door flew open, and Lev, Alexei’s main guy who Alex suspected acted as his enforcer, walked in.

“Did you hear that?” Alexei asked.

“I did.”

“Is what he said true?”

“Maybe we should talk about this privately,” Lev said.

“No. We can trust him to keep his mouth shut,” Alexei said, nodding toward Alex.

Lev revealed what Alex suspected. The Russians were using Melissa’s as a stop-off point for girls headed to the east coast. When Lev said that part of their job was to ‘break them in,’ he saw Alexei shake his head angrily. If Alex were to guess, it was because Alexei had daughters the same age as some of the girls he’d seen.

“When do you plan to shut this down?” Alexei asked Alex.

“Tuesday morning.”

“I’ll plan a meeting with all our guys that morning. Get the word out that attendance is mandatory,” Alexei said, giving Lev a menacing look. “This stays between us.”

“Yes, sir,” Lev said and was dismissed.

Once they were alone, Alexei asked, “Have you thought this through?”

Alex knew what he was asking. This would blow up the Russians’ goodwill for Alex and his dad.

“I have,” was all Alex said.

“But you’re going to do it anyway?”

Alex nodded.

“While I respect that, you’re playing a dangerous game.”

“The simple truth is that I couldn’t live with myself if I let it slide. No one should be forced to do that.”

“This is a good example of the weakness of Americans.”

Alex closed his eyes and shook his head. He’d heard this argument before, but some things were wrong no matter how you spun it.

“I understand your point of view, but I wanted to come to you before I acted,” Alex said.

“That’s not lost on me. While I might agree, I can’t help you anymore.”

“I understand.”

“Good hunting. I hope it’s worth it,” Alexei said.

Alex recognized that he was dismissed, so he got up and walked out. When he reached his bike, he rode about a mile before he had to stop and throw up. He’d done the right thing by talking to the former mobster, but the man still could’ve killed him. Alex was lucky to have made it out in one piece.

On the other hand, Alex knew that if he’d busted up the trafficking operation without the meeting, his life would’ve been forfeit. That was one of those little rules that Janice, Grace, and Sheriff Conly would never understand.

The one good outcome, as far as Alexei was concerned, was that not all Alexei’s men would be seen as involved. With them all pulled during whatever happened, they would figure out it was in their best interest to keep quiet that Alex had warned their boss. There was a chance the Russians might never find out he was involved in shutting them down. But if they did, well, he would face that when the time came.

Maddie was nervous as she got dressed for her first date with Alex. Tanya was sitting on her bed, watching her sister choose what to wear.

“Alex will be happy with whatever you pick.”

“Do you think I should go with a dress or jeans?” Maddie asked.

“The dress.”

Maddie thought about it for a moment and nodded her agreement. She would wear a casual sundress that could go to a fancy restaurant or something simple like a movie.

Tanya was more on board with her sister stealing her boyfriend since Maddie suggested Tanya help her get ready. Maddie let her little sister pick out her earrings, something she rarely wore.

When she came downstairs, her mom called her to the living room, where her dad and Decker watched the weather forecast on TV. As farmers, that was something they did every night. It looked like the next day would be perfect for the flea market; the family still sold stuff each week. Tomatoes, green beans, and summer squash were ready, and a batch of kittens was old enough to unload.

“Are you sure that sends the right message for a first date?” Decker asked as she walked in.

She knew he was teasing her because he winked at her.

Maddie’s dad and mom looked at her.

“She looks perfect,” her mom said.

“What are you two doing?” her dad asked.

“Alex didn’t say.”

“Typical,” Decker said.

“Shut it,” Tanya said to her brother.

Everyone tried to suppress their amused expressions at her defending her boyfriend-stealing sister.

“Have fun, and be home by ten,” her dad said.

“Da-ad,” Maddie complained.

“Call if you’re going to be out late,” her mom said, saving her.

Maddie was surprised when her dad gave her his truck keys. When she went to get in, she saw that her dad had cleaned the truck for her date.