Page 33 of Bratva King

"When was the last time you did this?" Natalia asked.

“Go hiking?”

"Anything that doesn't involve a meeting, a gun, or someone threatening to kill you."

Alexei considered. “I don't remember."

"That's concerning."

"It's why we're here,” he said, then looked at her. Even now, the way his eyes softened at her and her alone made her pulse race. "I've spent so much time making sure everyone else survives that I forgot what it's like to simply exist."

They continued their hike. Eventually, Alexei led them away from the main trail and onto a narrower path.

"Where are we going?" Natalia asked.

"Somewhere quieter,” Alexei answered.

"You know where this goes?" Natalia couldn’t help but ask.

“Honestly? No.”

She stared at him.

He shrugged. "I saw a map."

"When was this?” Natalia asked.

"Five minutes ago."

Natalia shook her head. "You are impossible."

"And yet you came."

She didn't answer. That was precisely the problem, she would have followed him almost anywhere. They had been walking for perhaps another twenty minutes when Natalia saw the hiker. He was several yards ahead, partly obscured by trees. At first she thought he was sitting. Then she noticed the unnatural angle of his body.

"Someone's hurt,” she said.

Alexei stopped. The man's back was toward them. He appeared to be kneeling beside the trail, one hand braced against the ground.

"I'll check on him," Alexei said.

Natalia's stomach tightened.

“Definitely not,” Natalia immediately said. Alexei looked at her, and she caught his arm. She added, “Something isn't right."

His expression hardened slightly. “What do you mean?”

“I don't know how to explain,” Natalia admitted. She didn't have evidence, but she relied on her instinct, which had kept her alive for years. "Don't go,” she said with a plea.

Alexei glanced toward the man. "I can't ignore an injured hiker."

"I can,” she told him.

"Of course you can."

There was irritation in his voice now. Natalia saw it and loosened her grip. Alexei exhaled, then he looked toward one of his guards.

"You check on him,” Alexei ordered.