Page 35 of Devil’s Reign

“I was waiting for you two. My heart is full now that you’re both here. I’ve missed my boys.” She slips her free hand into the crook of my arm and walks us towards the front door. Her boys. Only she can call men like us boys and get away with it.

I smirk at Aleksei, who narrows his eyes at me in warning. I’m definitely teasing him about this later.

Aleksei opens the door, and we end up doing an awkward side shuffle inside because Mom refuses to release either of us. We move through the small entrance room into the living room, then through a door to the large space that houses both the kitchen and dining area.

Dimitri and Elmira are already there, deep in conversation. They glance up as we enter.

“Ah, good of you two assholes to finally show up,” Dima says as he licks one of the cooking spoons.

Mira smacks his hand away. “Stop that.”

He glares at his twin, but she’s already shifted her attention to us. “Hey, you two.” She does a little wave with her fingers.

Now that we’re inside, Mom lets go of our arms, and I head straight for Mira. “Hey, you two?” I mock as I hold her by the scruff. “Is that how you greet your long-lost brothers?”

She slaps at my hand, rolling her eyes. “I saw you a few days ago. Besides, I’m sure the security you have tailing me reports my every move daily.” She drives her elbow into my stomach, and I release her with a low groan.

Aleksei steps in on her other side, ruffling her hair. "And what about me, sokrovishche? You haven't seen me in a month.” Sokrovishche. Treasure. Aleksei's called her that since she was small.

“Hey!” she protests, slipping out from between us to finger-comb her hair back into place. “I’m twenty-six now. Twenty-seven in a few months. You don’t treat Dima like a baby, and we’re the same age. The misogyny stinks.”

“Don’t bring me into this, Mira,” Dima warns.

Before I can respond to her accusation, Mom cuts in. “Enough bickering, kids. I swear, you all act like five-year-olds every time we have dinner.” But she’s grinning. She loves this. “Now, come help me serve.”

All four of us fall into place without protest, helping carry the food to the dining table. Afterwards, Aleksei texts one of his men to come in and collect their portions—security will eat out in the cars while we dine in here.

Once we’re seated, I glance across the table at Mira. “So how’s your plan for the exhibition coming along? Come up with an idea yet?”

“What exhibition?” Aleksei asks, looking between us.

Mira’s face lights up instantly. She’s a ceramicist and loves talking about her art—something she never had the freedom to do while Viktor was alive. He couldn’t understand it, couldn’t see the value. She was his princess, and her existence was solely for a political marriage that would benefit him. But not on Aleksei’s watch. He dotes on her. We all do.

“A gallery downtown reached out to me about an exhibition they’re hosting in a few months,” she explains eagerly. “They want me to display some pieces. The theme is functional art, and I’ve finally decided on my direction. Candles.”

She leans forward, her excitement building. “It’s rare to find scented candles in ceramic jars—it’s almost always glass. I’m going to collaborate with a candle maker and perfumer to create a small collection with custom scents, and then design a line of ceramic candle holders in a cohesive glaze palette to go with them.”

Dinner passes with most of the conversation revolving around Mira’s exhibition, and I’m grateful for it. My mind doesn’t have a chance to slip to Melani—except once or twice.

After we finish eating, we move to the backyard to share drinks while watching the flames flicker in the brick fireplace. Then Dimitri clears his throat, drawing Aleksei’s and my attention.

“About Daniel Salvi—I’ve got new intel about his next moves and⁠—”

“Are you talking about work right now?” Mom interrupts, glancing between us with raised brows. Aleksei shoots Dima a pointed look.

“You know better than to do that here,” Mira censures lightly.

We don’t talk business in front of Mom, and in return, she pretends not to know we inherited Viktor’s empire. But the legacy is no longer about Viktor. Aleksei took over seven years ago and has more than erased that man’s existence with his stellar leadership.

“It’s important,” Dima mutters, then glances meaningfully at Aleksei and me. “Which means you two are coming to my office tomorrow so we can discuss it properly. No excuses.” There’s a brief pause before Aleksei nods. He prefers conducting business in his castle, but like me, Dima avoids going there unless necessary. I wouldn’t be surprised if he purposely brought Daniel up in front of Mom so he could make that demand—the scheming devil.

A few hours later, once the sun has fully set, it’s time to leave. Mom walks us to the front door, while Mira decides to stay behind with her for the night. She gives us tight hugs and makes us promise to keep in touch before going back inside. As she closes the door, we hear her call out for us to take care and be safe.

“Tomorrow. Eleven o’clock sharp,” Dima says as he gets into his car.

I shake my head and move to open my own car, but Aleksei’s hand on my shoulder stops me. He nods towards his Lincoln, indicating he wants to talk privately. With a small frown, I follow him into the back seat. The men at the front—his driver and one of his guards—step out to give us privacy.

“Why are you holding the Monti girl hostage?” Aleksei starts without a preamble, and I can’t say I didn’t expect it. He always seems to know exactly what’s happening in our territory—sometimes before it even happens. But if he’s calling her ‘the Monti girl’, then he doesn’t know her real name—yet. Though now that she’s on his radar, it’s only a matter of time.