Page 17 of Shatter Me

I laugh and pull her into a hug. “That bad already?”

“Nikolai and Alexi are arguing about soccer teams, and Dmitri’s been brooding in the study all morning.” She loops her arm through mine as we head inside. “Though he’ll probably emerge now that you’re here.”

My stomach does an unwelcome flip. “Sofia...”

“I know, I know. I’m not matchmaking. But you can’t deny there’s something there.”

The mansion’s interior wraps around us in warm woods and gleaming marble. Voices echo from the family room—male laughter and good-natured arguing in mixed Russian and English.

“There’s danger there,” I correct her, keeping my voice low. “And complications I don’t need.”

Sofia stops us in the hallway, her expression serious. “You’re family to me, Tash. That means you’re family to them too now, whether you like it or not.”

“That’s what worries me.” I squeeze her hand. “But let’s not get heavy. I smell food, and I’m starving.”

“Mrs. Petrova outdid herself today. Wait until you try her pelmeni.”

We round the corner into the bright kitchen, and I falter for just a moment as Dmitri looks up from his coffee, his dark eyes finding mine instantly. He’s in a black sweater that makes him look deceptively approachable, but I know better. There’s nothing casual about a predator, even when it’s at rest.

The kitchen fills with the aroma of Mrs. Petrova’s cooking as the brothers gravitate toward the food. I watch their dynamics play out.

“Touch that last pelmeni, and I’ll hack your Swiss accounts,” Alexi warns Dmitri, who raises an eyebrow and spears the dumpling anyway.

“You can try, little brother.” Dmitri’s tone has a sharpness of authority that makes even Alexi pause. “But we both know how that ended last time.”

“One time! That was one time I tried to get into your accounts.” Alexi sprawls in his chair, all loose limbs and restless energy. “And you changed all my passwords to ‘BigBrotherIsWatching.’ Real mature.”

Erik leans against the counter, eyes constantly scanning the room as his lips curve. The way he positions himself—slightly behind Dmitri but with clear sightlines to all entrances—speaks volumes about ingrained habits.

“Someone has to keep you in line,” Dmitri says, his tone lighter now. “Remember when you tried to buy that island?”

“It was a good investment opportunity!”

“It was a volcanic rock in the middle of nowhere.”

"With potential!"

“For erupting,” Erik adds quietly, making me snort.

Dmitri’s eyes flick to mine, and I see a flash of genuine amusement before his usual mask slides back into place. “Alexi’s ‘investment opportunities’ are why I have the final say on major purchases.”

“Boring.” Alexi turns to me. “Tash, back me up here. Big brother’s a control freak, right?”

“Don’t drag me into your sibling rivalry.” I hold up my hands. “I’m just here for Mrs. Petrova’s cooking.”

“Smart woman,” Erik mutters.

“Too smart,” Dmitri agrees, his gaze lingering on me. “Though that’s never stopped Alexi before.”

“Hey, I resent that! I’m a genius. Tell them, Erik.”

“You’re something,” Erik deadpans, making Dmitri chuckle.

The sound is rich and unexpected, gradually transforming his face into something younger and less guarded. These glimpses make him dangerous—they hint that beneath the power and control, there’s a man who remembers how to laugh with his brothers.

I can’t help smiling as I watch the brothers interact. Seeing Dmitri like this is surreal—relaxed, almost playful with his siblings. The man who terrorizes board meetings and makes seasoned CEOs sweat is fighting over the last dumpling with his tech genius brother.

“The island had a perfectly good helipad,” Alexi insists.

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