Seeing Love: Saints Protection & Investigations by Maryann Jordan Page A

controls the warehouse area in Norfolk. Getting rid of us would allow someone else to do that. It would make for easier shipping of drugs, humans, goods…whatever they wanted to smuggle.”
    Faith jerked her gaze around to Ivan, surprise and silent questioning in her expression. Ivan noticed and as he turned toward her, he gave a small smile. “This shocks you, my dear?”
    With a quick shake of her head, she turned her eyes back to Anton, her naïvite surprising her. She glanced over, seeing Bart watching her like a hawk. Lifting her chin slightly, she adopted a blank expression as she turned her attention back to Anton.
    “Miguel’s group is ruthless and, frankly, they’re at the top of our list.”
    Bart interjected, “You share this with the FBI?”
    “Of course,” Anton growled. “Nothing’s as important to us as finding Erik.”
    “The questions have to be asked,” Ivan admonished his nephew. Turning back to Bart, he confessed, “Yes, we shared our concerns with the FBI but, as you can imagine, they were excited to get insights into our businesses. That is one of the reasons I went to Jack to find a private investigation firm that had the resources to dig into these people.
    Anton nodded, sighed deeply and continued. “There is another Russian family. Volkov. They’re newcomers and by that, I mean new to this country. No background to guide them. No elder at the helm. Gavrill Volkov is their head.”
    “Have you had dealings with them?” Bart asked.
    “They landed on our shores about five years ago and have tried to muscle into our territory. Each year they become a little more ruthless. Sergio tried to integrate them into our businesses and we actually wondered if my cousin was working for them before going to prison.”
    Bart glanced down at the photographs in front of him, but the faces were already familiar. He had purposely not divulged that the Saints had already sent him compiled dossiers on these gangs. So far, his impressions were on target with Anton and Ivan’s assessments.
    “The last true threat comes from the Maldonis.”
    At this, Ivan scoffed, then looked up at the eyes facing him. “They are not high on my list. Yes, they would love to take over my territory and businesses, but they are an old family. Italian. Luciano Maldoni is their head. He is my age and runs his family as I do. His sons and nephews may handle his interests, but Luciano is still very much in charge. I would never consider a strike against the family of an enemy, especially not with a child. Luciano would feel the same.”
    “But there are many under him who may not feel the same. No longer respecting the ways of the old,” Faith said. Her eyes stayed on the picture of Luciano Maldoni, her fingers resting lightly on the paper. “The ways of the old are dying.”
    The three men watched her carefully, two with interest and one with disgust.
    “Yes, well, we can’t condemn or dismiss anyone based on feelings, so I suggest we get to the rest of the business at hand,” Bart growled. He watched as her gaze lifted to his, held for a moment and then moved away. Jesus, how’s this gonna work, he thought in anger once more.
    *
    Within the hour, Bart headed down to the conference room at the Saint’s compound underneath Jack’s large home. At a quick glance, he saw the rest of the Saints already there.
    “Whatcha got for me, boss?”
    “Monty’s arranged with one of his FBI cohorts for you and Ms. Romani to talk to the men on Ivan’s list.”
    Monty took over the explanation. “When Jack said you were coming, I arranged for Mitchell Evans to do a video conference with us.” With a few taps on his keyboard, Luke pulled up the image of the FBI agent onto the screen. The dark-haired FBI agent smiled at them.
    After introductions had been made, Mitch began, “It’s good to meet you. Hated like hell to lose Monty but, after hearing a bit about your organization, I can understand why he left.” He looked down at