Page 10

N ikon stepped out of his office, phone already in hand. His fingers hesitated for a fraction of a second over Alexei’s number.

The line connected on the second ring. Before Nikon could speak, Alexei’s voice cut through, sharp as broken glass.

“What the actual fuck happened!? The street is crawling with cops.” Alexei’s voice crackled through the speaker. “The entire operation’s blown. My bank manager’s bleeding out in the ER. And there are bullets in half the filing cabinets.”

Nikon leaned against the wall, keeping his office door in view. Through the frosted glass, Reuben’s silhouette remained perched on his desk.

Safe. Here. His.

“Andrey happened.” The words came out like ice chips.

A pause on the line. “Andrey? What do you mean, Andrey happened?”

“Someone in my security detail took those shots. And only one person would be stupid enough to try killing my—” Nikon caught himself, jaw clenching. “To interfere with my business.”

“Grigorii won’t like this.” Alexei’s voice lowered. “The test was supposed to be clean. No bloodshed.”

“Did the Grinch order this?” The nickname felt bitter on Nikon’s tongue. Their eldest brother hadn’t earned that moniker by being merciful.

There was another pause over the line, this one just a beat too long. “The plan was supposed to be clean—”

“I know what the plan was .” Nikon’s fingers traced the scar on his left palm, an old habit from childhood fights. “Question is, did Grigorii authorize this?”

Silence stretched between them. The kind of silence that preceded storms in their family.

“I’ll find out.”

Nikon ended the call without responding, his grip threatening to crack the phone’s case. Through the frosted glass, Reuben’s silhouette shifted, and something tight in Nikon’s chest eased.

Nikon had waited weeks for this moment. Held back every time Reuben’s lips had been inches from his, pulled away when the hunger in those green eyes matched his own. Because once he had Reuben, truly had him, there would be no letting go. Even if he should. Even if it meant war with his own blood.

Nikon pushed open his office door. Reuben still sat exactly where he’d left him, perched on the edge of his desk like he belonged there. His tie was askew, the collar wrinkled from their earlier escape. A smear of dust marked his cheek—debris from when Nikon had tackled him behind the banker’s desk as bullets shattered the glass above them.

“So,” Reuben’s voice broke the silence that had settled in the space. But something about his tone carried a forced lightness. “Is this a typical Tuesday for you? Because I have to say, the corporate world is looking pretty good right now.”

Nikon crossed the room in three strides, bracing his hands on the desk on either side of Reuben’s thighs. “You’re deflecting.”

“And you’re looming.” Reuben’s pulse jumped visibly at his throat. “Very dramatically, I might add. Have you attended workshops on intimidating posture, or is it just natural talent...”

The rest of the sentence disappeared into a sharp inhale as Nikon leaned closer, their breaths mingling. “You could have died today.”

“I’m starting to think,” Reuben’s voice wavered, “that I got a bit too comfortable these past few weeks. Almost forgot the whole ‘dangerous crime boss’ is part of your resume.”

Nikon’s mind flashed back to earlier, when he’d been monitoring the surveillance feed from his car outside the bank. Through the cameras, he’d watched Reuben speaking easily with the bank manager, just as planned. Then Sergej had leaned forward from the back seat, voice tense: “Boss, we’ve got a problem. Just spotted Yuli among the perimeter team. He’s Andrey’s man, not ours.”

The realization had hit instantly–Andrey had managed to slip his own people into Nikon’s security detail. Someone would pay dearly for that oversight. Then came the glint of a rifle barrel from the construction site across the street, and time seemed to freeze in that endless heartbeat before Nikon had reached Reuben.

Returning to the present moment, Nikon caught the slight tremor in Reuben’s hands, the way his shoulders tensed with delayed shock. No more waiting. No more holding back.

The memory of that fear—raw, primitive, unlike anything he’d known before—surged through him. Without conscious thought, Nikon caught Reuben’s face between his hands, and crushed their mouths together.

The kiss wasn’t gentle. Couldn’t be, what with weeks of restraint finally snapping. Reuben made a startled sound against his mouth before melting into it, his fingers clutching Nikon’s jacket lapels.

Nikon could taste the lingering fear on Reuben’s lips, feel the aftermath of adrenaline in the way his hands trembled against Nikon’s chest. But beneath that tension was a deeper hunger—all the heat and need they’d both been denying for weeks.

“Wait,” Reuben gasped, pulling back just enough to speak.

Nikon dragged his thumb across Reuben’s bottom lip, watching his pupils dilate. “I’ve waited long enough.”

Nikon’s hands slid from Reuben’s face, tracing the line of his throat, lingering on the frantic pulse beneath his skin. Their eyes locked, a silent conversation passing between them.

A question. An answer. And then finally, a surrender.

Reuben’s breath hitched as Nikon’s fingers trailed down to his shirt, tugging it from his waistband. His fingers were steady as Reuben’s buckle gave way under them, the metal clinking like a secret code against the quiet hum of the office.

“Tell me you want this.” Nikon’s voice was quiet but raw, demanding. His hand paused at the zipper, waiting. The room seemed to hold its breath, the ticking of the wall clock all of a sudden loud, intrusive.

Reuben swore softly, a sound that was half laugh, half moan. “You’re asking me now?” His hips arched up slightly, seeking. “Yes, dammit. I want this.”

Nikon’s mouth twitched, a faint smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. Those blue eyes remained intense, focused, like a predator zeroing in on its prey. He edged Reuben’s zipper down, one tooth at a time, the sound cutting through the thick air. His fingers hooked into the waistband of Reuben’s boxers, teasing the elastic, making Reuben suck in a sharp breath.

He dipped his hand inside, stroking the soft skin of Reuben’s stomach, feeling the muscles quiver under his touch. His fingers brushed against the coarse hair, then lower, tracing the length of him, feeling Reuben’s cock harden. Reuben’s breath came in quick gasps, his body trembling with anticipation.

“Shh,” Nikon soothed, his voice a low rumble. He gripped Reuben’s cock, thumb circling the sensitive tip. Reuben bucked into his hand, a choked sound escaping him.

Nikon worked him slowly, his grip firm, every stroke deliberate. Like he had all the time in the world. Like they weren’t teetering on the edge of chaos. His thumb swept over the head, spreading the wetness, drawing out a strangled moan from Reuben.

Reuben’s body tensed, his breath coming in ragged bursts. “Nik—” His voice cracked as he shuddered.

Nikon felt him pulsing in his hand, felt the heat building. He leaned in, their foreheads touching, breaths mingling. “Let go,” he murmured.

Reuben’s release was explosive. His body convulsed, hips jerking, a cry tearing from his throat. Nikon only just managed to pull back, avoiding the hot spurt of white liquid. He watched, transfixed, as Reuben shuddered through his climax, their connection raw, intimate.

Once Reuben stilled, Nikon withdrew his hand, gentling his touch. He grabbed a nearby tissue, cleaning them both up quickly. All the while, his eyes never left Reuben’s face, watching every flicker of emotion.

Reuben, chest still heaving, managed a weak laugh. “Well,” he said, voice hoarse, “that was...”

“A start.” Nikon finished for him, straightening up. His gaze bore into Reuben. “But we’re far from done, Reuben.”

Reuben’s breathing was still uneven when he reached for Nikon’s belt. “Let me—”

“Not here.” Nikon caught his wrist, pressing a kiss to the racing pulse point. “Come home with me.”

The drive to Nikon’s penthouse was torture. Every red light was an excuse to touch, to taste.

Reuben laughed when Nikon cursed in Russian at a slow-moving taxi. “Your security detail must be getting quite the show,” Reuben murmured against his neck.

“They know better than to watch.” Nikon’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. The memory of that sniper trained on Reuben flashed through his mind again. “Besides, half of them are hunting down our would-be assassin.”

“Assassin?” Reuben’s hand stilled on his thigh. “Do you know who did...”

“Later.” Nikon pulled into his private garage. “Right now, I need you naked in my bed.”

They barely made it through his front door.

Reuben had time for one appreciative whistle at the penthouse’s marble foyer before Nikon was on him again, backing him toward the bedroom.

“Show-off,” Reuben gasped between kisses. “Let me guess—the sheets are silk?”

“Egyptian cotton.” Nikon nipped at his jaw. “Much better for grip.”

Clothes disappeared again, this time with more finesse. Nikon took his time, savoring each new discovery: the sensitive spot behind Reuben’s ear that made him whimper, the way his back arched when Nikon’s fingers traced his chest, the breathless curses when Nikon reached for a condom from the bedside table drawer.

Reuben’s hands slid up Nikon’s back, tracing the hard lines of muscle, the rough terrain of old scars. Nikon shivered under his touch, a rare moment of vulnerability that emboldened Reuben. With a sudden surge, he flipped Nikon onto his back, straddling him. Nikon’s eyes widened in surprise, but he let Reuben take control.

Reuben leaned down, his mouth finding Nikon’s chest, teeth grazing a nipple before moving lower. Nikon’s breath hitched as Reuben trailed kisses down his stomach, his intention clear as he slipped the condom onto Nikon’s thick manhood. Reuben’s lips parted as he took Nikon into his mouth, his tongue swirling around the sensitive tip. Nikon groaned, his fingers tangling in Reuben’s hair as a shiver of pleasure coursed through him.

Once Reuben’s lips began to suck gently on the tip of his dick, the sensation was intense. But soon, the teasing sucks turned into wet heat as Reuben’s mouth enveloped him.

Each lip-smacking suck, every motion of Reuben’s mouth, sent waves of ecstasy through Nikon, making him feel as if he were melting from the inside out. He felt his control slipping, the heat building too fast. Before he could lose himself completely, he stopped Reuben, gently pulling him up.

“Did I do something wrong?”

Nikon shook his head, cupping Reuben’s cheek. “No. I just want to take you deeper.”

He reached for the bedside table again, this time pulling out a small bottle of lube. Guiding Reuben to lie on his front, Nikon took a moment to admire the lean lines of his body, the curve of his spine. He coated his fingers with lube, then ran them down the crease of Reuben’s backside. He circled Reuben’s tight ring of muscle, applying a light pressure, before easing one finger inside Reuben’s tight hole. Nikon took his time, allowing Reuben to adjust, before adding a second finger, scissoring them carefully to stretch and prepare him thoroughly.

“You’re thinking too much,” Reuben panted, pushing back against his fingers. “I can hear the gears turning from here.”

“I’m thinking,” Nikon twisted his fingers just so, drinking in Reuben’s moan, “about how long I’ve wanted this. Wanted you. ”

Reuben groaned into the pillow, hips lifting to meet Nikon’s touch. “More,” he begged, “I want you to fill me up.”

Nikon complied, withdrawing his fingers from Reuben, who let out a soft whimper at the sudden emptiness. Positioning himself, Nikon gently pressed the head of his dick against Reuben’s entrance. He pushed in slowly, just an inch at first, giving Reuben time to adjust. Reuben’s body trembled, his moans muffled by the pillow. Nikon continued to inch his way in, gradually filling Reuben until he was balls deep. He held still for a moment, allowing Reuben to grow accustomed to the feel of him. Then he began to move, slowly at first, before building up to harder, deeper thrusts.

Reuben pushed up onto his knees, presenting himself, allowing Nikon to really fuck him. The sight of Reuben’s back arching, his body submitting, undid Nikon. He thrust harder, faster, each stroke drawing out a desperate moan from Reuben.

Nikon felt the pressure build, the heat in his balls intensifying as he moved with increasing urgency. His muscles tensed, and his breath hitched, coming in shorter, sharper gasps. His heart pounded in his chest, the sensation overwhelming as he reached the brink.

With a final, powerful thrust, the wave of his orgasm crashed over him. His head threw back, a guttural cry escaping his lips as he released, the intensity of the moment causing his body to shudder. He collapsed onto Reuben’s back, pressing him into the bed, their bodies slick with sweat, their breaths syncing in ragged harmony.

For a long moment, they lay there, Nikon’s weight pinning Reuben to the bed. Then Nikon slipped his now-softening cock out of Reuben and rolled off, but not without pulling Reuben with him, their limbs tangling as he tugged Reuben into his chest.

Ten minutes later, with sweat cooling on their skin and Reuben’s head pillowed on his chest, Nikon allowed himself to process the day’s events. The messed up bank job. The shots. The heart-stopping moment when he thought he’d lost everything before he’d even had it. His thoughts then drifted to his own brothers—to loyalty and betrayal within blood ties—and suddenly he realized how little he knew about Reuben’s own family.

“I can hear you thinking too much again.” Reuben traced patterns on his chest, fingertips skimming old scars. “Very Russian of you.”

“I don’t think.” Nikon caught those wandering fingers, pressed a kiss to the knuckles. “I strategize.”

“Mm. And what’s the strategy for dealing with an assassin trying to kill me?”

The casual way Reuben said it made Nikon’s jaw clench. Instead, Nikon shifted the conversation. “Tell me about your family.”

The fingers on his chest stilled. “That’s quite a mood killer.”

“Humor me.”

Reuben sighed, shifting slightly against him. “Not much to tell. Father’s got an investment firm in Boston. Wanted me to join after graduation. Had my whole life planned out; corporate suit, trophy wife, country club membership.”

“But you refused.” Nikon could picture it—a younger Reuben standing his ground against family pressure.

“I refused to go back in the closet.” Reuben’s voice held a forced lightness, but Nikon could feel the minor tension in his body. “Dad made it clear that was the only way I’d be welcome in the family business. Or the family, period.”

Nikon’s arms tightened around him, recognizing the familiar dance of someone trying to pretend old wounds didn’t still bleed.

“And, unfortunately, dear old dad’s got a lot of connections.” Reuben tried to shrug as he continued, but Nikon felt the tension in his shoulders. “Turns out being a valedictorian doesn’t matter much when every potential employer you apply to gets a quiet word about your ‘character issues.’ ”

The casual way Reuben described his own father’s betrayal made something in Nikon’s chest twist. Here was a different kind of family violence—no bullets or blood, but just as deadly to the soul. He rolled them over, bracing himself above Reuben to look into his eyes. In that moment, Nikon made a decision that had nothing to do with strategy or business.

“You’re my family now.” The words came out like a vow, heavy with all the weight of his own complex understanding of family loyalty. “Mine. And I protect what’s mine.” Unlike Reuben’s father, Nikon would never demand Reuben be anything other than exactly who he was.

Reuben’s breath caught, surprise flickering across his face before he masked it with a smirk. “Are you proposing already? Am I really that good in bed?”

“I don’t know.” Nikon leaned down, brushing their lips together, grateful for Reuben’s ability to lighten even the heaviest moments. “I think we need more testing to be sure.”

Their kiss swallowed Reuben’s laugh, and Nikon let himself get lost in it.