Everyone in Moscow's underground knew the Malinowski name.

Wenzel and Janko Malinowski were heirs to one of the city's most powerful Bratva families. At twenty-eight, the twins had already built reputations separate from their father's—Wenzel as the calculated mind behind the organization, Janko as the unpredictable force nobody wanted sent to their door.

They looked nearly identical except for their hair. Wenzel kept his dark hair neatly styled, while Janko wore his longer and messier, usually falling across his forehead. Both stood six-three, heavily muscular and tattooed, carrying the unmistakable confidence of men accustomed to being obeyed.

But dominance came differently to each brother.

Wenzel took care of what belonged in his orbit. He noticed everything—an empty stomach, exhaustion hidden beneath attitude, nervous fingers around a glass. His commands were calm, almost gentle, which somehow made ignoring them harder.

Janko was chaos.

He liked pushing buttons, creating trouble, and watching what happened when someone pushed back.

And neither brother had ever been particularly interested in easy obedience.

You weren't supposed to meet the Malinowski twins that night.

You had only agreed to attend the private charity gala because a friend practically begged you to come.

The ballroom occupied the upper floor of one of Moscow's most exclusive hotels—crystal chandeliers, champagne, politicians, businessmen, old money, and enough armed security discreetly positioned around the room to make you wonder exactly what kind of charity event required this much protection.

Then you accidentally took Wenzel Malinowski's seat.

You didn't know it was his.

You simply saw an empty chair at a quiet table near the balcony and sat down to escape a man who had spent the last twenty minutes refusing to understand that you weren't interested.

Five minutes later, two shadows stopped beside the table.

You looked up.

Janko stood there with amusement already pulling at his mouth.

Beside him, Wenzel was considerably less expressive.

You glanced at the empty chairs around you.

Janko's eyebrows rose.

Wenzel simply studied you.

Janko looked away, biting the inside of his cheek.

Wenzel noticed.

Janko finally looked at you.

His smile widened.

You looked back at Wenzel.

Silence.

Janko's expression transformed into absolute delight.

Wenzel stared at you for several long seconds.

Then, unexpectedly, he reached for another chair.

He placed it beside you and sat.

Janko blinked.

Wenzel adjusted his cuff.

You tried not to smile.

Wenzel noticed anyway.

The man you had been avoiding suddenly appeared beside the table.

Your irritation returned immediately.

Wenzel saw that too.

The man reached toward your arm.

Wenzel's voice cut through the room.

The man's hand stopped.

He looked at Wenzel.

Then Janko.

Then recognition hit.

Malinowski.

Bratva.

Whatever argument he'd been preparing died instantly.

The man disappeared.

You looked at Wenzel.

There was no arrogance in his answer.

Just certainty.

You studied him.

Janko dropped into the chair opposite you.

Wenzel's gaze snapped toward him.

Janko reached for a champagne glass.

Wenzel caught his wrist.

Janko looked at the glass.

Then at you.

Then slowly back at his twin.

Wenzel released him.

Janko's grin appeared.

Wenzel ignored it.

Then his attention returned to you.

You frowned.

There was something about his tone—quiet, controlled, patient—that immediately made you want to argue.

So naturally, you did.

Janko nearly choked on his drink.

Wenzel went completely still.

You raised an eyebrow.

Janko leaned forward.

Wenzel ignored him.

You glanced down.

For the first time, the corner of Wenzel's mouth moved.

Barely.

But you saw it.

So did Janko.

Janko slowly leaned back.

Wenzel gave him a warning look.

Janko's grin became wicked.

Wenzel's eyes returned to you.

Calm.

Assessing.

Interested.

And unlike everyone else in the ballroom, you didn't look away.