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T he soft tap of Reuben’s fingers against the conference table glass was a movement so subtle most would miss it. But Nikon caught it through the one-way mirror, just as he caught the calculated pause before Reuben’s next words to the Macau delegation.

“The house rake seems high.” Mr. Zhou’s English carried the faintest hint of an accent. His gold watch caught the light as he shuffled the contract pages.

Tap. Tap. Pause.

Blood rushed in Nikon’s ears. Six months ago, that soft tapping would have betrayed fear. But now, it was a hunter’s rhythm.

“For a standard poker room, yes.” Reuben’s fingers traced his water glass rim - the gesture that always preceded a trap. “But you’re not buying into a standard poker room.”

The door clicked behind Nikon. He recognized Alexei’s distinctive gait before his brother’s reflection appeared in the glass.

“Reuben appears to be getting better at this.” Alexei’s cellphone cast a blue glow on his face. “The way he led Zhou right to the security protocols without mentioning our name once? Beautiful.”

A muscle ticked in Nikon’s jaw. “He’s a natural.”

“Natural enough for Grigorii’s port meeting next week?”

Ice slid down Nikon’s spine. Through the glass, Reuben was standing now, extending his hand to Zhou. A tremor flickered through those elegant fingers - invisible to everyone but Nikon.

“No.” The word came out sharp enough to draw blood. “We agreed. He stays away from shipping.”

“He doesn’t need details. Just reads. Like he reads them.” Alexei nodded toward the Macau group. His voice softened. “You can’t keep him in glass forever, brother.”

“He’s not made for that side of the business.”

“Neither were you, once.” Alexei moved toward the door, pausing. “Andrey’s been asking about him again. Detailed questions. Where he goes. Who he meets.”

The temperature in the room plummeted. “When?”

“This morning. Had one of his new boys following Reuben’s car.” Alexei’s fingers drummed against the doorframe. “The tail was clumsy. Amateur. But the intent...”

Through the glass, Reuben glanced directly at their position, somehow knowing exactly where Nikon stood despite the mirror. His smile was small, private - the one reserved just for Nikon.

The observation room felt suddenly too small.

Nikon caught Reuben in the hallway as the Macau delegation’s footsteps faded. Beneath his pristine suit, Reuben’s muscles were wire-tight.

“They’ll wire tomorrow.” Reuben leaned into the hand Nikon placed at the small of his back. “Though Zhou had interesting questions about our dealer certification.”

“He’s fishing for weaknesses.” The elevator doors slid shut, sealing them in chrome and glass. “You handled it well.”

“I learned from the best. I noticed Alexei earlier.” The teasing note in Reuben’s voice vanished. “He wasn’t just observing, was he?”

Ice crystallized in Nikon’s veins. “Grigorii wants you. A port authority meeting.”

Reuben’s fingers found the elevator rail. Tap. Tap. Processing. “And you already refused.”

“Yes.”

“Because you think I can’t handle it, or because you’re afraid of what I might see?”

The elevator seemed to shrink. Nikon crowded Reuben against the wall, breathing in the lingering scent of his cologne. “Because there are lines I won’t let them cross. The poker rooms, legitimate business - that’s one thing. Shipping is different.”

“ Everything we do is different.” Reuben’s palm pressed against Nikon’s chest - not pushing away but anchoring them both. “And the poker rooms aren’t exactly legal either.”

“It’s not about- “

“Protection.” Reuben slipped past him as the doors opened to their penthouse. “You can’t keep trying to protect me forever, Nikon.”

“You’re choosing this path, knowing where it leads?”

“I’m choosing to be useful.” Reuben closed the distance between them. “To be equal. To stop being the weakness your brothers see.”

The words hit like physical blows. Nikon caught Reuben’s wrist, pressing his thumb to the racing pulse. “You think you’re not equal?”

“I think Andrey’s man following my car this morning suggests otherwise.”

Nikon’s grip tightened. “You saw him?”

“He wasn’t subtle. Kept showing up in my mirrors.” Reuben’s free hand came up to cup Nikon’s jaw. “But hey, I learned from the best.”

Nikon pulled away with reluctance, moving to the sideboard where he poured them two glasses. “He’s still testing boundaries.” The crystal clinked as Nikon set the bottle down. “Especially after what Grigorii did- “

“He probably won’t move directly.” Reuben set his untouched glass aside, moving instead to wrap his arms around Nikon from behind. “But he’ll keep pushing. Keep watching.”

Warmth seeped through Nikon’s shirt where Reuben pressed against him. These moments still startled him - the casual intimacy, the way Reuben read and handled his tension without words.

“When did you get so comfortable with all this?”

“Probably around the time I stopped flinching at gunshots.” Reuben’s laugh vibrated against Nikon’s spine. “Or maybe when I realized I was in love with a Russian crime lord.”

The words still hit like the first time. Nikon turned, studying the face he’d memorized months ago. The boyish features remained, but there was steel beneath now - tempered by experience but not broken by it.

“Tell Grigorii yes.” Nikon’s words tasted like surrender and victory both. “But you observe only. No direct involvement.”

“Agreed.” Triumph flickered in Reuben’s eyes. “Though you should know, Alexei already asked me to look at some property deals next week.”

“Of course he did.” A different tension coiled in Nikon’s gut as Reuben’s hands slid under his jacket. “Any other family business I should know about?”

“Just that your security rotation is getting predictable.” Reuben’s breath ghosted across Nikon’s throat. Desire pooled low in Nikon’s belly as nimble fingers traced beneath his shirt. “And I may have promised Zhou exclusive access to certain high-stakes games that don’t exist yet.”

Nikon’s voice dropped lower, rougher. “Games that will exist once I approve the designs on my desk?”

“Complete with private entrance and enhanced security measures.” Reuben’s teeth grazed Nikon’s pulse point, drawing a soft sound from him. “So, is that a yes?”

Later, they would deal with Andrey’s questions and Grigorii’s port meeting. Later, they would balance power and family, love and danger. But for now...

A phone buzzed on the counter - Alexei’s ringtone. No doubt with fresh intel about Andrey’s movements.

Nikon let the phone ring.

THE END