Page 2 of Bratva King

"You hardly gave me the chance,” Alexei pointed out.

Dmitri grinned. "I know my strengths."

"You certainly do,” Alexei agreed.

He noticed that Sofia hid a smile behind her champagne glass. Apparently even teasing between husbands and wives had become another language he'd never bothered learning.

"You all right?" Dmitri asked.

Alexei rolled one shoulder. "A headache."

Well, it was not entirely a lie. The endless chatter had started drilling behind his eyes nearly an hour ago.

"I've already made the rounds,” Alexei said.

"You want to leave?"

"Unless you suddenly require adult supervision,” Alexei said dryly.

"I think we'll survive."

Alexei glanced between Dmitri and Sofia. "I'm sure you will."

"What about Maksim?" Sofia asked.

"He'll be putting out fires if the situation calls for it,” Alexei said.

Dmitri laughed. "Accurate."

Alexei adjusted his jacket cuff. "You and Maksim can handle whatever remains."

"You don't need to ask,” Dimitri told him.

"I know." His gaze settled on both of them. "It is ... convenient having reliable brothers."

Dmitri's expression softened. "Go home. Get some sleep."

Alexei gave a single nod before disappearing into the crowd.

****

The silence outside gave Alexei a measure of peace. The fundraiser took place in an old museum overlooking the river. Once he descended the front steps, the sounds of conversation dissolved behind thick stone walls, and only distant traffic remained.

Streetlights painted long golden streaks across damp pavement, and the cool autumn air filled his lungs. Ah, he thought, this was much better. His driver had the evening off, and Alexei preferred driving himself whenever security permitted.

Alexei liked control. His Aston Martin waited half a block away where the valet had parked it beneath a row of trees. He loosened his tie as he walked, pleased his headache was already fading. Alexei had almost let his guard down when he heard a soft, indiscernible pop.

Instinct screamed before his mind recognized the sound. Some bastard just shot at him. He moved before conscious thought caught up. Glass exploded beside him, and the bullet shattered against the stone wall exactly where his head had occupied a fraction of a second earlier.

Alexei dropped behind a parked SUV in one smooth motion.

Silence returned. No one shouted or ran about in a panic. Whoever fired had chosen the location well. Alexei gritted his teeth, then reached beneath his jacket.

Adrenaline shot through his system. It had been a long time since anyone tried to kill him. Everyone in the city knew who he was, and understood the fate that awaited fools who tried to get him or his family.

Cold steel settled comfortably into his palm. His pulse barely changed. Most men would've focused on surviving. Alexei wanted to know who had been bold enough to try.

He studied the street, but there was no second shot, not yet at least. Whoever was targeting him was patient and professional. He turned his gaze upward and noted windows, fire escapes, and rooftops. Finally, after a second of watching, he spotted movement at a neighboring building.