Page 69 of Mafia King’s Dangerous Vow

“Please tell me the Healy consultation involves explosives.”

I look up from the tablet. “It involves a prewar co-op, a nervous client, three stone samples, and my wife’s return to work.”

He considers this. “Explosives would be more fun.”

Yuri stands near the glass wall, silent as usual, reviewing the route plan on his phone. Igor leans against the conference table with coffee in one hand, enjoying himself far too much.

I ignore my older brother. Always the healthy option.

“You’ll go in with Tamara.” I turn to Mikhail. “Not behind her. Not in front of her. With her.”

His brows lift. “I understand basic prepositions.”

“You’ll introduce yourself as her project manager.”

“Does Tamara know I’ve been promoted?”

“She’ll know before you get there.”

Mikhail’s amusement fades. He’s reckless, not stupid. He knows the difference between me being irritated and me giving an order.

“This is not babysitting,” I say.

His jaw tightens, all lightness gone. “I’m aware, Aleks.”

“Good. Because if Tamara feels handled, crowded, corrected, or supervised, she’ll hate every second of it.”

“She seems to hate certain seconds less when you’re standing next to her,” Mikhail says, mouth curving.

I look at him sharply.

“What? I was at dinner. I have eyes.”

Igor takes a slow sip of coffee. “He’s right. She looked considerably less unhappy with her hand in yours.”

“Are we discussing security or my marriage?”

“You brought up your wife,” Mikhail points out.

“I brought up her safety.”

Igor’s mouth shifts. “Very protective distinction.”

“One more word and Mikhail attends the consultation in a branded polo shirt that says assistant.”

Mikhail shakes his head. “That’s excessive, brother.”

“Then drop it.”

Igor laughs while Mikhail leans back in his chair, still smiling but smart enough to move on.

“So what do you need?”

“You’re giving her space to work while making sure nothing gets near her that shouldn’t.”

“Security, basically.”

“Exactly. But she can’t feel like she brought bratva muscle to a design consultation.”