Aleksei shrugged. “Boris won’t say, but I can tell he’s stressed out.”
That made Zoe roll her eyes. “Boris is always stressed out.” The man didn’t have any other emotion.
“Not like this,” Aleksei replied in all seriousness before leaning closer to whisper in her ear. “I think they are planning something big, and Boris doesn’t like it.”
“I wonder what it could be,” she said more to herself than posing it as a question. She knew better than to ask. Too many questions could get a person killed.
“No idea.” Aleksei shrugged. “They are all tight-lipped about it.”
“Well, maybe what your brother needs is a woman. Loosen him up. Does he even know how to loosen up or laugh?” she asked, changing the subject. As much as she wanted to ask more, she knew that it could be risky, and he could tell Boris she was asking about it. Aleksei wouldn’t think much of mentioning it, but it could be a death sentence for her. Maxim was paranoid and eccentric at times. If he suspected her of sabotage, he’d put a bullet between her eyes without blinking.
Aleksei shook his head, looking sad. “Not that I’ve ever seen. We didn’t have the easiest childhood. Boris sheltered me a lot from the worst of it, but I’ve seen the scars. I remember the screaming. It hardened him to everything.”
Zoe didn’t have anything to say in response. They all had their own sob story about why they were where they were. No one in the crime world ever came from a life of sunshine and rainbows. That was still no excuse for them to become murderers and drug dealers, but who was she to judge? It wasn’t like she was innocent in this life.
Zoe wasn’t stupid. As head of operations, she knew everything these people transported and who they dealt with. Some were more dangerous than Maxim.
“Now, if there is anyone I know that could use a good romp in the sheets and put a smile on their face, it’s you,” he added, glancing over at her with a broad smile.
“What?” she sputtered, almost spitting out the beer she was about to swallow. She tried to will her brain to come up with a response, but she was drawing a blank. Aleksei had taken her by surprise, a feat few could accomplish.
“In all the time you’ve worked here, I’ve never seen you on a date.” He looked to make sure no one was listening before whispering, “Unless you prefer ladies.”
“No,” she answered quickly. “I like men.”
“Well, that makes two of us.” He waggled his eyebrows, giving testament to his age.
Zoe rolled her eyes. Sometimes she forgot how kid-like Aleksei still was. “Be that as it may, I haven’t had time for anyone. My schedule keeps me pretty busy.” Not that busy, but she was not about to discuss her sex life—or lack thereof—with a kid barely old enough to drink.
“Not that busy. Let’s find you someone tonight.” Aleksei moved to stand up, but Zoe pushed her hand against his chest to stay him. The kid was far stronger than her and could easily move her hand, but he stayed put.
“No way.” She was not going to have Aleksei help her pick up a guy. She didn’t need any help finding a man. If and when she wanted one, she would do it herself.
“What about that one?” He pointed to someone on the dance floor.
Despite not needing or wanting help with finding a man, Zoe followed Aleksei’s finger to a man coming up behind a group of women dancing. Without saying a word, the man just started grinding up on one. At least that’s what Zoe thought he was doing. He was jerking and convulsing. Maybe he was choking and was asking for help.
If those were his dance moves on his feet, she’d hate to see between the sheets.
Zoe and Aleksei both looked at each other and busted out laughing. “No,” they said at the same time.
“How about that one?”
Zoe was afraid to look, but she did anyway.
He wasn’t bad, wasn’t great. The guy at least had rhythm as he danced, but there was nothing enticing about him. At least not enough to make her want to approach him.
Then something pulled her attention from the dancer to a man who had just entered. He walked with purpose and confidence. A man who commanded attention. Several women had already turned to look at him, but he didn’t seem to notice them. He weaved in and out of the crowd as if he were smoke. He didn’t touch anyone as he maneuvered around the crowded space. He was around the same height as most of the men here and had an athletic build. He had a short military-style haircut. His face was clean-shaven showing off his hard jawline that she wanted to nibble on. There was something thrilling and exciting about him as if she could sense an adventure with him. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she watched him.
“What’s caught your eye, Silver?” Aleksei leaned close to her face to follow her gaze. “Ah. I think I see your good time.” Aleksei nudged her again. This time gentler.
“Absolutely not.” He certainly was handsome. She could see the well-defined biceps from here. His black shirt was loose but didn’t hide the fine form underneath. His hair was shorn short, but the club lights were too dim to see what color it was.
“You have to go talk to him. It’s your obligatory right for women everywhere.” Aleksei didn’t give her a chance to contradict him when he snatched her beer from her hand and pushed her up out of her seat.
Maxim approached them before she could take another step. “Zoe, come join us.”
Hot guy would have to wait. Zoe put on a smile and headed toward him. Maxim held an arm out to her. “Perhaps you can help settle a disagreement between my son and me.”
