Get Away

As their relationship deepened, Nicolai found himself grappling with unfamiliar emotions. The fierce protectiveness he felt for Alessia went beyond anything he'd experienced before. He caught himself thinking of her during meetings, wondering what she was doing, if she was safe. He wanted everything for her. It both thrilled and terrified him.

One evening, as Nicolai sat in his study reviewing reports, Sergei entered with a grim expression. "Boss, we've got a problem. I've been hearing whispers about Dmitri."

Nicolai's jaw clenched at the mention of his half-brother's name. Their history was complicated and bitter. When their father had shown up at Nicolai's mother's funeral when he was 20 and recognized Nicolai as his son, Dmitri had at first seemed to be happy to have a little brother. The novelty quickly wore off, however, and the resentment had taken over and had now festered for years, even after Nicolai moved his operations to the US. His brother was a dangerous and unstable man.