Katie's Hellion

"You Americans. Jeans and T-shirt, Kris, really?"

He dismissed his uneasy thoughts at his eldest brother's accented voice. He shook the hand of his brother and friend, whose black skin clashed with his. Andre was dressed in cashmere and wool, his hair kept short and neat, his loafers more expensive than Kris's conference room had cost to build.

"Got nothing to prove, big brother."

Andre snorted and motioned to the pristine white sofa. Kris sat.

"I wasn't expecting you," Andre said. He crossed to the wet bar for two glasses, one with red wine and the other with whiskey. "I keep this cheap shit around just in case."

"I like the cheap shit," Kris replied, accepting his whiskey.

"You obviously clothes shop at yard sales."

Kris smiled, and Andre echoed the movement, the skin around his eyes crinkling in warmth.

"I hate these things," Andre admitted. "I'd rather stay home. Brother, go change. You're not going to embarrass me again."

Kris chuckled, at ease with his brother despite the unprotected penthouse on the top floor of a building that could be easily leveled by a single explosive charge. Being underground meant he was a much harder target to hit, yet despite his attempts to convince his brother to act likewise, he'd not yet succeeded.

He went through one of Andre's two walk-in closets, choosing a maroon sweater and chocolate suede pants. He knew his brother would disapprove but also knew Andre would view it better than jeans.

Andre pursed his lips in displeasure as Kris reappeared.

"Good enough," his brother grunted. "One of my most expensive shirts with the pants that went out of season five years ago."

"How's your spy network?" Kris asked as he poured himself a second glass of whiskey.

"Eh, not so hot lately. I've been losing some good ones. Still have an idea of what Kiki and Tamer are doing but no idea what Erik is doing."

"You keeping track of me as well?"

"Part of an older brother's duty."

Kris sat opposite his brother. Their alliance off the Council was as important as their balance of power on the Council. Despite being brothers, neither approved of what the other did. Andre's gift lent him great power and control over the mind, enough so that he had no problem recruiting spies as the others did. He was a pacifist, though, and viewed his position on the Council as balancing out the outwardly aggressive predators.

Andre was no threat to the others yet had a full vote on everything the Council did. It was how he walked easily among all the others, never threatened and routinely confided in. Even Sasha, who'd betrayed them all to serve the Dark One, still sought out his brother's counsel. Kris knew his brother too well to know he'd not betray the trust of anyone, even a man who wanted to kill him.