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Alexei resumes his seat, leaning forward. “Tell me everything.”
“First of all, whoever profiled Orien’s ideal type as a helpless twink was mistaken and should be fired.”
“Those files were built from secondhand accounts, not direct observation,” Alexei says. “What happened last night. I want more details than what you gave me over the phone.”
I recount the other Alpha’s aggressive approach and the way Orien watched from the bar without moving to intervene.
“He clocked right away that I could take care of myself. Lucky for us, he’s into that type.”
Alexei absorbs the information. “What did you make of him?”
“Hard to say from one encounter,” I admit. “He’s careful. Controlled. He manages the room without appearing to. I don’t think he’ll be as easy to seduce as our intel said he would be.”
Alexei rubs his chin. “Are you saying you can’t do this?”
“Oh, I can do this.” I remember that moment of awareness that passed between us. “But…”
Alexei arches a brow in question.
“I’m concerned. Based on what our people have figured out about the Blue Note crew, Orien acts as their fixer.”
“This is why I was hesitant to put you on this job, Lev,” he murmurs. “If you get too close and become a security risk…”
“I don’t think he’ll let me get near enough for that.” I keep my voice even. “And I’ll only be there long enough to figure out if they’re a threat to the family. After that, I’ll ensure he finds me so unpleasant that he’ll be happy to see me leave.”
At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.
Alexei leans back slightly, thoughtful. “And the lounge itself? What did you observe?”
I describe the bar, the sightlines, and the way security was positioned. “I wasn’t able to breach the back rooms, but it’s only a matter of time.”
Alexei regards me in silence for a long moment while I keep my hands motionless on my knees. “And his temperament, beyond his actions?”
“Disciplined. Non-reactive.” The description comes easily, even after only one encounter. “Not impulsive or aggressive.”
Alexei picks up the pen on his desk and jots down a note. “That increases the danger he poses.”
“Yes,” I agree. “But also more predictable, in his way.”
As Alexei continues to write notes, the lamp highlights the strong line of his jaw and the faint threads of silver at his temples.
Only eight years separate us, but I still feel like a child peering through a doorway into the adult world. The burden of the family settled onto my brother’s shoulders long before I understood what it meant.
“You did well,” he says, not taking his attention off his notepad. “Continue as planned. Maintain contact, but don’t rush it.”
“Yes.”
“And Lev?”
I straighten my spine even more.
“He’s not to know who you are. Not until we’re certain of the motivations of his crew.”
“I’ll keep my identity a secret.”
“You’re the only one I trust. You know that, right?” His pen pauses. “I can’t lose you.”
This trust is about more than me being family, or being trained. Alexei trusts me to understand what’s at stake. Not for the business, but for the family itself.
