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Nobody else works harder than Mikhail—not a single soul.
Where I’m more calculated, careful about who to trust, and when to act, my brother is pure instinct.
But we’re also alike in so many ways too.
The same coldness, the same ruthless, the same violent streak.
I stop beside him, watching the muscles in his back flex as he finishes a set. There’s a glisten of sweat on his skin, and I know why he’s working so hard. It’s why I’ve been working so hard too.
Not only have we been raised for this life, but we’ve also taken a life just as precious, and we’re ready to fight back with all of our strength if needed.
Mikhail’s biceps bulge as he sits up, stretching his arms over his head before he turns, glancing over at me. His eyes are sharp, a flash of amusement in them.
“Are you admiring me, Nikolai?”
My brother asks me, his voice thick with the teasing tone I’m so familiar with.
I smirk, shaking my head at him.
“Not at all, brat. I’m simply admiring the dedication.”
Mikhail lets out a short laugh, a sound I’ve always found a little unsettling coming from him.
So raw…so unlike the rest of him.
“Don’t get used to it.” He says, grabbing his towel as he wipes the sweat from his face. “You know you’ll never be able to keep up.”
I chuckle.
“I don’t need to. I have my own way of getting things done.”
Mikhail shrugs, the muscle beneath his skin shifting.
“As long as we’re both getting results, it doesn’t matter.”
I nod.
We always do.
There’s absolutely nobody who can touch us—not in this world, and definitely not inourworld.
Mikhail continues to wipe himself with the towel, his sharp eyes flickering briefly to the door behind me, then back to me.
Silently understanding, silently agreeing.
There’s no need to talk much, not really, not when we both know what’s expected of us.
“Is there anything else on your mind?”
My brother asks me, his voice steady.
I glance over at him, feeling the corners of my lips twitching.
“Chiara.”
He sucks a deep breath in, pausing for a second, before he throws the towel to one side.
“She’s ours, Nikolai.” My brother says, his tone so confident. “She’s understanding that already.”