The past from the club's speakers through the walls like a heartbeat gone wild. The air smelled of expensive Lique, sweat, and smoke. Dimitri stood near the VIP bar, half-lost thought, his fingers loosely wrapped around a glass of whiskey he hadn't touched. His mind wasn't on the music, the crowd, or the club he owned.
He was thinking about Lev-about that soft look in Lev's eyes earlier that morning when Matev had shown him messy crayon drawing titled ''My family.''
And then, like a ghost from hell, came that voice. Smooth. Mocking. dangerous.
''Dimitri.''
The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He didn't have to turn to know who it was. But he did-slowly, jaw clenched so tight it hurt.
Aleksei.
Tall, sharp-featured, dressed in black from head to toe, with cold blue eyes that had once made Dimitri feel alive-and then nearly destroyed him. '
'Well. well. Moscow's king himself.'' Aleksei smirked, stepping closer, their boots clicking on the marble floor. ''Did you miss me?''
Dimitri didn't flinch. ''What the fuck do want, Aleksei?''
''Now, now. Is that any way to greet an old flame?'' Aleksei's gaze flicked to the bartender, who wisely backed away. The tension was thick, electric, dangerous. ''I hear things,'' Aleksei continued, voice low, smooth as poison. ''Whispers. You've got yourself a little Omega. And a kid.''
Dimitri's grip tightened on his glass, veins pulsing in his arm. ''Stay away from them,'' he said, voice like steel.
Aleksei laughed, soft and cold. ''Or what? You'll kill me? You've gone soft, Dimitri. you think you can hide them? Frome the city? Someone like you doesn't get to playhouse.''
Before Dimitri could respond, movement near the back caught his eye-Lev.
Lev had come through the side door, clutching something in his hand. A smile had been on his lips. But now.....
Now he stood frozen, eyes wide, watching the scene in front of him. Dimitri. Aleksei. The way Aleksei's hand brushed Dimitri's chest, like they still something.
Lev's heart dropped. He couldn't hear the words, only saw enough to feel sick. Lev turned, slipping out before either of them saw him, his vision blurring with tear he refused to let fall.
Dimitri grabbed Aleksei by the collar, yanking him so close their nose almost touched. His eyes burned red in the dim light. ''Don't you ever speak about them. Don't even breathe their names.''
Aleksei didn't look scared. He never did. His smirk deepened. ''Oh, Dimitri. Still so easy to get under your skin. You know I could ruin you with one word, that omega - the kid - no one would trust you if they knew what you really are.''
Dimitri shoved him back hard enough to make him stumble. ''Get out of my club. Now. Before I forget I ever cared about you.''
Aleksei straightened his coat, amused. ''This isn't over.''
Outside, Lev was already halfway down the street, chest tight, mind racing. ----I was stupid. I let myself believe in him, I have to protect Matev. I have to get us out before Dimitri changes, before that man finds us.
Dimitri storms out the club minutes later, heart pounding, desperate to find Lev - but the night hides too much, and Lev is already gone.