Page 50 of Brutal Bratva King

Once they have all left, Rigor and Renat burst into a heated flow of words about their attitudes.

“Are you fucking kidding me? Who the fuck talks to someone like that? I thought we were equals in this operation?”

“We are, calm down,” I say sternly, very aware that Anya is in the room with us and not wanting to cause more issues between us and the Dubrovs.

Rigor shakes his head. “I wanted to punch that smug ass in the face. Alexei needs a lesson or two in teamwork,” he snarls.

Anya giggles and my brothers turn to glare at her. I clench my jaw, unsure of what she is up to. But I stay silent because she handled her own brothers brilliantly—so I’m curious if she can do the same with mine.

“What you guys don’t realize is that when my brothers talk to you like that it’s a good thing.” She shrugs, a sly smirk on her face.

“How the fuck is that a good thing, darkling?” Rad snaps.

“Because brothers argue—right? I’ve witnessed my own brothers wanting to tear each other apart, trying to decide things like the best route. They challenge each other to see who will back down and, in that way, they establish hierarchy over time.”

Their eyes are locked onto her.

“And what does that mean?”

“It means that you probably impressed Leon because you refused to back down on something you felt strongly about. Alexei is a hot-headed fool. You’ll learn how to deal with him. He gets under everyone’s skin, but Leon was the one you needed to have your eye on.”

Rad shifts in his seat, his shoulders relaxing a little. “So, it was a test.”

“In a way, yes. And I think you guys did well.”

Rigor and Renat are eyeing her closely. “Leon wanted us to argue?”

“No, Leon wanted to see that you were confident in your decisions. And you were. That says a lot about a man. The bottom line is, Leon wouldn’t do an operation like this with just anyone. He has to have immense trust in people to work this closely with them. You’re already part of the team guys, now it’s a room full of opinions and the ones with the most confidence will push through. And you pushed through.”

My brothers are starting to look pleased with themselves and I can’t help but be amused. She is brilliant. She knew exactly how to defuse Alexei and now she’s calmed down three of my brothers, all three hot-headed, ego-driven idiots at the best of times.

I can’t hide the grin touching the corners of my mouth as I watch her, elegant and calm, soothing my brothers down likechildren. She bats her eyes and smiles sweetly when she looks at them and I think she’s fucking charming the socks off these idiots.

I also think I need to reign her back in before they start to get the wrong idea.

“Alright, guys, let’s get going,” I say, pushing my chair back as I stand up.

Rigor, Rad and Renat make their way out of the private room and Anya is about to follow them through the door when I grab her arm and pull her back inside.

“Stop right there, you little minx,” I say sternly, wrapping my arm around her waist and holding her against my chest.

“What?” she asks, as innocent as ever, her long dark lashes fluttering demurely.

“I think you know exactly what,” I say, wrapping my hand around her jaw and tilting her face upwards. I hover my lips over hers and she smiles, her lush, pink lips only inches from mine.

I lean closer, my mouth locking over hers. The kiss is slow, deep and intense.

She slides her hand around my waist and up my back, pressing her body harder into mine.

An image flashes through my mind. I want to throw her onto this table and pull her skirt up over her ass.

Her hand slips beneath my shirt and her fingertips trace hot fire across my skin.

I stop kissing her, but I don’t lean very far back. I can feel the heat of her breath on my face when she laughs.

“You know you belong to me, don’t you, Anya?”

“Is that so?” she whispers.

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