Page 21 of Bratva King

"She could’ve killed you!”

"She's an assassin,” he had answered calmly.

Maksim gave him a murderous stare.

Alexei had reminded him that she'd also taken a bullet meant for him. The discussion had deteriorated rapidly after that. He still had the headache to prove it. Now Dimitri had apparently volunteered himself as the calmer negotiator. Unfortunately for him, Alexei wasn't any more receptive.

"You've read her file," Dimitri continued carefully.

"I have."

"You know what she's done,” Dimitri said. At his nod, Dimitri continued, “You know who trained her. Emil Kuznetsov has more than a hundred kills under his belt. He’s the most feared hitman in the underworld.”

"Yes, of course,” Alexei answered calmly.

"And yet—” Dimitri gestured helplessly toward Natalia's bedroom.

Alexei rubbed tiredly at his temple. The headache intensified. "I know exactly what you're trying to say."

"I'm not sure you do,” Dimitri said with a frown. “Listen."

They reached one of the large windows overlooking the estate grounds. Dimitri stopped walking, and Alexei met his brother's gaze.

"Do you see the little girl who stole pies with you, or do you see the woman who has spent the last decade killing for money?"

Alexei looked out across the forest. "I see both."

"That's the problem,” Dimitri muttered. “You know almost nothing about the woman standing before you now."

Alexei thought about that. He knew she'd become deadly, and she’d probably survived unimaginable things. However, Alexi also understood she'd risked much to save his life.

"She had opportunities to finish me,” Alexei pointed out.

"She also shot at you,” Dimitri said.

"She deliberately missed the killing shot,” Alexei reminded him.

His brother remained silent. Dimitri crossed his arms. “What if she’s playing you? Manipulating you in some way?”

Alexei almost smiled. "You think I'm that easy to manipulate?"

"No,” Dimitri finally said, smartly recognizing the warning in his voice.

"I'll take full responsibility for Natalia,” Alexei said.

Dimitri looked at him strangely.

"What?” Alexei demanded.

"I've never seen you look this,” his brother hesitated. "Soft."

Alexei laughed quietly. “Are you calling me soft?”

“Of course not, you’ve interrogated prisoners without blinking, stared down rival Pakhans twice your size," Dimitri said. "But the moment this stranger’s involved, you become a different person.”

"Natalia isn't some stranger,” Alexei said, unable to prevent the anger leaking out of his voice.

“Alexei, you must see reason. You don't know who she really is."