Drake Sisters 06 - Turbulent Sea

for the flickering flames to die down a little in her stomach so she could look at him without wanting to throw something. 'I really don't like being told what to do, Ilya. I'm an adult, quite capable of making my own decisions.'
    'Then as an adult, make the adult decision to be safe. Give me your word now, Joley or I'll be hauling your ass back to my place and you won't be leaving there until I feel it is safe.'
    She inhaled sharply. 'I don't like threats.'
    'That wasn't a threat. I don't make threats.'
    Her breath hissed out between her teeth. T don't like being treated like I'm not quite bright, that I can't get that there are safety issues.'
    'I don't think that at all. I know you're bright, Joley. It's just that you think more about other people than you do yourself. So give me your word, because I know you'll never break it and I don't want to have to worry about you.'
    'Fine then. I'll do whatever.' She didn't like the little thrill she'd gotten when he said he knew she was bright, or the way his voice had caressed her when he told her she thought of others, because she just capitulated when she should have made it clear she would follow security for herself, not for him.
    With my child growing inside of you, it would be good to take extra precautions.
    She snatched her hand away from him. 'That's not funny. Run, you coward. You can't know who your brothers are or how many you have or even if you're the youngest. I'm not buying into that. Go away and be careful. I'll kick your ass if anything happens to you.'
    Ilya stood. 'Did you get the information I asked for, Jonas?'
    Joley grabbed his hand again. 'What information?'
    Later, Joley, when we have no one around.
    She wanted to protest, but his life was dependent on secrecy, so she just nodded and blew him a kiss he didn't deserve as he followed Jonas and Aleksandr into the kitchen.
    'John Dylan seems to be turning up quite often,' Ilya said. 'Lucy Brady had his ID. He claimed she stole it when he took a break and removed it, then left it on the table in the room where they were eating lunch. Most of the crew sleep during a performance because they have to work again breaking down the set and equipment right after. He says he went to bed and didn't notice he didn't have his ID.'
    'Bullshit,' Jonas said. 'They know where their ID is at all times, especially during heightened security. The crew protects their band. They're like a family. Why would he even take it off in the break room?'

    'He said he broke the chain and was fixing it when someone called him out of the room.' Ilya shrugged. 'It's plausible, but not probable. But he wasn't anywhere near that bus, not for a moment, which is a little suspicious in itself. He can account for every moment of his time and has witnesses.'
    Jonas's eyebrow shot up. 'Every moment?'
    'Yes. He was questioned along with other members of the crew, and he had his entire day mapped out. Everything checked out just like he said, right down to when he used the can.'
    Jonas and Aleksandr exchanged a long look. 'No one can do that, Ilya.'
    'Exactly. He's in this up to his ears, but he has an accomplice,' Ilya said. 'Dylan was also with Dean when Joley saw them with the teenagers, and several of the crew told me he spent a lot of time with Dean, but when I questioned him he said he barely knew him.'
    'Dylan isn't in any way connected to the Russian mob other than maybe if Dean was working with them to feed them an occasional groupie. He's got connections here in the States,' Jonas supplied. 'He's a nephew of a man named Dominic Dylan. Have you ever heard of him?'
    Ilya shook his head. 'Should I have?'
    Jonas tapped a manila folder. 'Here's what we have on him. He's been making a name for himself. He's got a big family, lots of siblings and cousins, and he's spreading his net. He went to jail for tax evasion, but they suspected him of everything from arms dealing to running a human trafficking ring. Are you starting to see a connection here?'
    'He wants Nikitin's front line,' Ilya said. 'He's looking to take over his business.'
    Aleksandr nodded. He'd worked for the Russian police for years and then Interpol, and still had the connections.
    'That's what we suspect. The DEA has been keeping an eye on him for a long time. Homeland Security has their hand in as well. We stepped on a few toes getting that information and we called in a few favors owed. Dominic is bad news. He has a large organization, has mobilized a lot of gangs, mostly