Page 45 of Brutal Unionn
“We do,” Aleksandr and I say in unison.
“I will let this attempted murder slide, since I am assuming this has to do with your townhouse exploding thirty-six hours ago,” Aleksandr’s tone is rigid as he slides his hands into his front pockets.
Nik shuts the door behind him with a grunt, a sharp inhale escaping as the movement tugs at the knife still lodged in his shoulder.
“Nice way to let us know you’re alive, by the way,” he mutters, wincing.
Aleksandr looks down at Sho, jabbing a thumb in his direction. “Sho is supposed to be dead.”
I swallow hard, but Sho just leans back in the chair, casual as hell, lacing his hands behind his head like he’s sunbathing.
“They’ve been saying that for years, Alek,” he drawls, grinning. “At this point, it’ll probably take the entire Japanese military to take me down—and that’s only if they catch me in my sleep.”
“I told you to be silent,” I snap, slicing my gaze at him like a blade.
Sho leans forward dramatically, then takes his thumb and forefinger andzipshis lips, pantomimes locking them, and tosses the imaginary key over his shoulder.
I roll my eyes. “You should be more concerned with yourownlife than his.”
I move across the room toward the crystal decanter on the cabinet, the sharp click of my boots filling the silence. I take a page out of Boris’s handbook and pour a single glass—only one. A not-so-subtle reminder that this isnota friendly meeting.
Aleksandr watches me closely, arms folded. “And why exactly should I be worried for my life?”
I snort softly, the scent of oak and smoke curling up from the rim of the glass. I take a sip—burning, bitter, perfect—and fix him with a cool stare.
“Because someone here hired a man to kill me,” I announce to the room with a dramatic flair. “And that person will not leave this room alive.”
Nik’s, jaw is tight as he steps forward—still clutching the hilt of the knife in his shoulder. “Everyone agreed to the transfer of power, Nadia. The council voted unanimously. I renounced my claim. You’re the head. No one here is challenging that.”
I raise an eyebrow, swirling the amber liquid in my glass. “Funny. Because assassins usually aren’t in the job description for peaceful transitions.”
Aleksandr exhales through his nose, shaking his head like I’mtesting his patience. “I told you before,” he says evenly, “I don’t want it.”
I tilt my head, mocking sympathy bleeding into my tone. “You don’t want your birthright?”
“You know me,” he says. “If I wanted it, I would take it. I told you before Nadia and I am only repeating myself because you are my sister, but I do not want it.”
“Thenwhydo I still feel knives at my back?” I snap, the words slice across the room. Everyone's eyes are on me. “Why do I wake up to bombs and men in my face with guns? Because if it wasn’t you, brother, then it’s someone close enough to make it look like itwas.”
Sho shifts behind me, still silent, but I can feel his eyes burning into the back of my skull.
Nik’s voice cuts in again—tired, but firm. “No one in this room made that call, Nadia.”
I lower my glass, fingers tightening around the crystal as I level my stare at him. My pulse remains steady, but my rage makes my skin hot, simmering just beneath the surface. I swallow steadily, focusing on the steady tap of my index against the crystal.
“Then why,” I say slowly, “did he sayyourname, Nik?”
His brow furrows. “Who said my name?” His voice rises, his steps closing the distance between us.
“Bhon Lee,” Sho answers before I can. Calm. Matter-of-fact. Like he’s reading a grocery list instead of naming the most feared killer on the planet. “I recognized him. Did some digging. He’s real high-end. Quiet. Precise. Expensive.”
Nik snorts, trying to deflect. “If he’s that good, why areyoustill alive?” He shoots a glance at Sho, his tone sharp. “Sounds like I wasted money.”
“Because the Yakuza outbid you.” I snarl the words, fury exploding from my chest as I hurl the glass across the room.
It shatters against the wall—just inches from Aleksandr’s head. He doesn’t even blink.
No one does.
