Page 100 of Brutal Reign

“You did this because you wanted to get home for the kid’s bedtime?” Maxim sounds incredulous, and sure, I get it. For years, I’ve lived for work, followed protocol, and never letpersonal shit interfere with business. But now that I have Hope and Kin, work feels secondary.

“What does it matter?” I huff back, spinning a pen in my hand. “We closed the deal, didn’t we? With a lot less bullshit than usual. And I got home to read Kin a bedtime story, so I don’t see the issue here.”

“Jesus, Pavel,” Maxim grumbles. “Aslan’s a longtime associate.”

“And an asshole, if we’re being honest.”

Roman chuckles. “Never bothered you before.”

“The contract’s signed, and the money’s transferred.” I stand and pace to the window, watching rays of sun break through the trees. “Do we really need to have this conversation?”

“Maybe give us a heads-up next time you plan on pulling a gun during a sit-down.”

I snort. “Please. It wasn’t the first time, and it won’t be the last.” Especially if someone wants to keep me from my family.

Family. There’s something so right about that word.

“And how’s it going with your new wife?” Maxim’s tone is carefully neutral, but I can hear the underlying edge.

Maxim is wary of Hope living under my roof, and I understand his concern. He’s protective of everyone living on the compound; we all are. But after losing his first son in an enemy attack, he’s especially cautious with Kira and their kids.

My eyes wander to one of Kin’s many dinosaur figurines abandoned under a tree as I consider the question. Hope now sleeps in my bed. I made sure of it. But after everything she’s been through, there’s still a part of her thinking about running. She doesn’t yet fully trust me, but she will. She and I are inevitable.

“She’s still learning to trust me,” I admit. “But it’s been good. Better than good. You can see for yourself on Sunday.”

“Right, well, Kira is looking forward to meeting her.”

“So is Liza,” Roman adds.

I notice they don’t include themselves in that sentiment.

A beat passes before Maxim adds, “I trust your judgment, but this situation is…”

“Fucked up?” Roman suggests. “But she hasn’t slit your throat yet. That has to be a good sign.”

“You almost sound disappointed,” I say to lighten the mood. “Anyhow, there’s something else to discuss. Hope is still in communication with Chen. He’s pushing for an in-person meeting in Moscow to hand off her inheritance, which he claims to have transferred onto a hardware wallet. She hasn’t agreed to meet him yet, but Dinara and I think it’s a setup.”

Roman whistles. “That’s ballsy. Showing up in our city.”

“Ballsy and desperate, which makes me think Simon is behind this plan. He wants Hope back, and he wants her money.” I pace the length of my office, my molars clenched tight. “I don’t have proof yet, but Dinara’s working on it.”

“Our contacts are searching for Simon in Hong Kong. Something will give soon,” Maxim assures me.

A gentle knock at my office door interrupts, followed by Kin’s sweet, high-pitched voice. “Pavel! Come pick tomatoes with us.”

My chest tightens at the sound. “Let’s pick this up over lunch this weekend. I’ll have more details to share by then.”

We exchange a quick round of goodbyes before I end the call, toss my phone onto the desk, and open my office door to find Kin bouncing on his toes, dressed in pajamas. Yarik stands behind him, tanned hands resting on the boy’s shoulders.

“Sorry.” Yarik shrugs. “He was too excited to wait.”

“The tomatoes are ready,” Kin announces. “Yarik says I’ve been very patient waiting.”

“Have you now?” I lower to his level, grinning at his earnest expression. “And where’s your mother? Doesn’t she want to see these famous tomatoes?”

Kin shrugs. “Mama likes to sleep.”

She probably needed extra rest after I wore her out last night, and the night before that as well.