Page 1 of Bratva King

Chapter One

Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over the ballroom, making every polished surface gleam. Everywhere Alexei looked, there were expensive suits, sparkling jewelry, and smiles that looked just convincing enough to pass.

A string quartet played quietly in the corner while waiters weaved through the crowd with silver trays of champagne. Around him, the city's elite mingled over a charity fundraiser, congratulating one another for their generosity as bids climbed higher with every auction item.

Alexei Volkov endured it.

Across from him, the mayor laughed a little too loudly at something Dmitri had said. His younger brother wore a tailored black suit that somehow made him look approachable instead of dangerous. It was a gift Dmitri had always possessed.

People always liked him, trusted him, and wanted to impress him. Too bad Alexei had never inspired those reactions. Fear, respect, caution—those came naturally to Alexei. Charm required effort, but Dmitri made it look effortless.

"...and that's why continued cooperation between your organization and the city would be invaluable," the mayor said.

"Our family has always believed stability benefits everyone," Dmitri replied smoothly. "Prosperity tends to follow when people honor their agreements."

Dimitri sounded diplomatic, vague enough to sound legitimate, and also threatening enough that the mayor visibly swallowed before nodding. Alexei almost smiled, because Dmitri really was good at this.

Sofia stepped beside her husband, accepting a fresh glass of champagne from a passing waiter before slipping it into Dmitri's hand without interrupting the conversation.

Their fingers brushed. It was a tiny gesture, barely noticeable, and yet Dmitri looked at her for half a heartbeat longer than necessary.

She answered with the smallest smile, and it vanished before anyone else could have noticed. He was trained to notice everything. An uncomfortable tug settled somewhere beneath his ribs.

Alexei didn’t think it was jealousy, not exactly. Annoyance tugged at him. First it was Maksim, then Dimitri.

Maksim was supposed to kill Lena, but ended up putting a ring on her finger. Dmitri's marriage to Sofia had begun as nothing more than an alliance between families, another calculated move in a world built on power and blood.

Yet somewhere between negotiations and obligations, they had become ridiculous.

The way Dmitri looked at her, and the way Sofia instinctively reached for him, there was ease between them. Affection that was almost embarrassing to witness. Any fool could see they were hopelessly devoted to each other.

That made no sense to Alexei. Love wasn't something Alexei had ever associated with marriage, and certainly not after watching his parents.

His father had ruled his household the way he'd ruled the Bratva—with absolute authority and obedience. His mother had existed like a ghost drifting through hallways lined with expensive paintings. There had always been a quiet elegance to her, and she always seemed to disappear whenever his father entered the room.

Alexei couldn't remember them ever laughing together, or his father ever giving her a single affectionate touch. Marriage had been another transaction, nothing more and nothing less. He'd accepted that lesson years ago.

Women complicated things, attachments dulled instincts, and affection created weaknesses enemies could exploit. He'd repeated those truths often enough they had become instinct.

However, neither Maksim nor Dmitri had become weaker. It was quite the opposite. Maksim had become calmer, certainly more patient. Dmitri somehow smiled more often without losing any of his edge. It didn't make sense, and Alexei disliked things that didn't make sense.

"...Alexei?" Dimitri prodded.

He blinked and saw the mayor was extending his hand.

"Our thanks again for your generosity."

Alexei shook it once, his handshake firm and brief.

"No thanks necessary,” he found himself saying.

The politician hurried off toward another wealthy donor the moment propriety allowed.

Dmitri exhaled. "I think that went well.”

"It did,” Alexei acknowledged.

"You hardly spoke."