What about Lev?
I had to ask. “What about Lev? You didn’t mention him.”
Nas looked sad. “The men in the firm decided against Lev. They voted no. Said he was too unpredictable. Said they couldn’t trust him.” She added quickly, “Which was a total load of shit. They didn’t even give him a chance.”
It sounded screwed up to feel bad for Lev for him not being allowed into a group of thugs, but my heart squeezed painfully. He was always the odd one out. I hated that.
Nas continued, “So the boys are off getting their Chaos tattoos, leaving this one guy, Maxim, to enforce on his own for the night. None of the boys knew shit was about to hit the fan. No one but Lev.” She sipped her coffee. “The tattoo parlor that belonged to Chaos had its door busted in. A rival firm of Italians had been on our backs for getting in on their turf. One of their men decided to send a message. Comes in, guns raised, ready to shoot whoever got in his way.”
My heart started to beat faster. “What happened?”
Vik answered, “Lev happened. He came from behind, out of the shadows, threw the fucker down and let his fists do the talking.” Vik smirked. “We’re talking a grown-ass man with not one but two fucking guns, being overpowered by an unarmed fifteen-year-old boy, and being beaten so badly that he needed surgery to fix his ugly mug.”
Whoa.
Nas cocked her head to the side. “The Italian was disgraced. They were a laughingstock after that. Chaos was pleased. Well, you can imagine what happened after that.”
Let me guess. “They wanted Lev in the firm.”
“Yep,” she confirmed then smiled. “But he wouldn’t join. Said that he would protect his brothers, but he would never be Chaos. My father was disappointed. He wanted Lev to be a brother in every way, but he agreed that Lev should have a choice. He respected that.”
“What happened then, if he didn’t join?”
Vik clarified, “We were the enforcers, but Lev had our backs. He was our muscle. We did the collecting. He did all the fighting.” He hesitated before telling me, “It’s like he was born to battle, Mina. It comes so naturally to him. He can get lost in here.” He tapped on his temple. “You’re helping him find his way out of that prison.”
I uttered, “But he’s enforcing now, right? How did that happen?”
Nas spoke. “My dad was getting older, as was my uncle. Both had families. They wanted to settle down, but you just don’t leave a firm. It’s for life. When my Uncle Ilia died suddenly of a heart attack, my father took it hard. They were close. Dad’s health declined and he withdrew his responsibilities from Chaos. Bratva agreed that he was in no shape to lead.” She shook her head lightly. “Long story short, Bratva weren’t happy with the way things were being run down here without my father on board. The men were fighting amongst each other, fighting for power. People took sides. Loyalty fled. Eventually, Bratva forced the firm to disband. Everyone went their separate ways.”
Vik drawled, “You can take the boy out of the hood, but you can’t take the hood out of the boy. You get me?” I didn’t. He must’ve seen this, because he explained, “Most of the disbanded members formed their own illicit firms. We didn’t do that. We opted to stay neutral, start a business, go clean on the straight and narrow.”
My brow rose. “Doesn’t look like it to me.”
Nas raised a hand. “Listen, the boys, they’re not doing anything too crazy here. Sasha is a broker. He loans large sums of money to people at high interest. When they don’t deliver on the set terms…” She tried to smile, but it came out a wince.
I spoke for her. “They get the shit beat out of them. By Lev.”
Vik scoffed. “Well, of course it sounds bad when you say it like that.”
Ah, Vik. I couldn’t help but smile at him.
I spoke softly, “Well, that explains things. I still don’t know how I feel about it, but now I know.”
Nas eyed me. “Let me ask you something, Mina. Does Lev doing this affect how he treats you?”
No. It didn’t.
I shook my head.
She had another question. “Do you really want to know every time he thrashes someone? ‘Cause I don’t. Vik and I, we don’t talk about it. Or are you just sore that you found out by accident?”
I was sore about how I found out. It was all Anika’s fault.
Nas added, “Yes, he roughs those losers up, but those idiots know exactly what they’re getting into when they make a deal with Sasha. They’re not so innocent, you know. There’s a reason they can’t go through legal channels to get the money.”
I understood this. It didn’t make it any better though.
I shrugged.
Her hand came down on mine and squeezed. “Do yourself a favor. Put it out of your head. It’ll cause problems where there are none.” She stressed, “It’s a job, Mina. Just a job. Think about it as debt collecting.”
Vik nodded in agreement then uttered, “You can judge, Mina, but remember,” his eyes softened, “Lev didn’t judge you when he busted you stealing his brother’s wallet. He gave you a job, a place to live, and fed and clothed you when you had nothing.”
That statement hurt so much, because it was true. Lev didn’t judge me. Sure, he didn’t trust me at first, but he didn’t judge me. He was there for me when I was alone, without a friend in the world. And here I was questioning him.
My heart sank. I was a terrible person.
Vik went on gently, “This is the life we were dealt. It’s all we know. We might not be churchgoing, god-fearing men, but we’re not bad people, babe.”
He was right. Who was I to judge what was normal?
I was angry with myself. Lev was a sweet man. He was kind to me in a time when I did not deserve it. My mind made up, I went against what I had been taught about all that was good in the world. As far as I was concerned, I never saw what Anika planned for me to see.
It was not important.
It was long forgotten.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Mina
“Sunday Funday?” I bunched my nose with a small smile. “Do I even want to ask?”
Nas chuckled as we walked into the mall, Vik rushing up behind us and putting a protective arm around both of our waists. He grinned, biting the tip of his tongue. “It’s really just an excuse so we can see our women in swimsuits.”
It was warm and all, but it wasn’t beach weather. “And where is this funday held?”
Nas threw me an apologetic smile. “Sasha’s. He’s got a heated pool ‘round back.”
Oh, fuck that. I wasn’t interested. “Well, you all have fun at your funday then.”
Nas groaned, extracting herself from Vik’s arm to walk next to me. Putting her head on my shoulder, she whined, “Mina. Come on. I know you guys have issues and all—”
I snorted. “He tried to bribe me to stay away from Lev!”
Her brows rose and she pinched my arm lightly. “In an attempt to weasel out a gold digger, which, by the way, did not work, so you’re all good. You passed his test!” She waved an imaginary flag and let out a weak and poor attempt at a cheer. “Hooray.”
I stopped walking and turned, staring her down. She shriveled under my firm look.
She was lucky I loved her.
Vik pushed into the middle of us, wrapping his arms around us. “Ladies, ladies. You don’t need to fight over me. There’s enough Vik to go around. Now,” he spoke matter-of-factly, “these swimsuits aren’t going to try themselves on.”
I peeked past him over at Nas. “Why is he here?”
She rolled her eyes. “He heard ‘swimsuits’ and insisted he come to,” she did air quotations, “ ‘protect us.’ ”
“I see.” I eyed Vik, looking him up and down.
He grinned hard, blowing me a kiss. I turned my head to the side and bit his chest. He jumped back, holding his nipple and glaring at me. “Ow. That hurt. You’re physical acts of violence are harming the love I have for you.” He moved to lift his tee up ove
r his nipple and stepped closer to me. “Now kiss it better.”
I burst into laughter and ran away from him, hiding behind Nas. She rolled her eyes at the two of us, but she did it smiling. My friends were kind of awesome.
I hooked my arm through hers. “Okay, I’ll come, but if Sasha so much as looks at me dickishly, I’m leaving.”
“Whatever,” Nas muttered under her breath. “You guys are going to have to get over it. Both of you. Sasha loves Lev. You love Lev. You both need to cool down and get along.”
I was immediately defensive. “It’s not my fault. I could easily get over it and I would, for Lev, but Sasha won’t let me. Every opportunity he has, he says something nasty or gives me that freakin’ look, like I’m lower than him, like I’m scum. For some reason, I don’t think you’d let that fly if it were you, Nas.”
She agreed, “No, I wouldn’t. I’d call him out on it.”
“Oh, yeah. He’d love me for that,” I mumbled.
“No, he wouldn’t,” she paused a moment, “but he might respect you for it. We’re a funny people, Mina.”
We walked into a lingerie store and headed straight for the swimwear. As we were walking, Vik called out to us, holding a clothes hanger. “I think you’d look great in this, Mina.”
I blinked down at the hanger. “There’s nothing on it.”
He smirked. “I know.”
Nas groaned painfully at the stupid joke. When I picked up a folded towel and threw it at him, he burst into laughter. Nas shook her head. “I don’t even know why I waste my time with you.”
Vik sauntered over to her slowly, as if he were on the prowl. “Because I’m the best you’ve ever had.” He dipped his head to kiss her lips, nipping them gently. He spoke quieter, “And because you love me.”
Nas closed her eyes and slumped into him, kissing him back with all that she had. The display was so brash, so hot, that I had to turn around to hide my blush. They looked good together.
I looked at some of the bikinis when, from behind me, came, “I think you’re better off going for a one piece, darlin’.” I spun around to see a young woman around my height, perhaps a smidge taller, with long blonde hair and bright pink lips smiling at me.
She didn’t work at the store. She seemed to be browsing.
I cocked a brow. “You think?”
Her blue eyes popped. “Oh, I know. Look, we short women need to stick together, and I’m being honest here…we look like children when we wear bikinis.”
She was kind of funny. I chuckled. “Yeah, I guess so.”
Without permission, she took my arm and led me to the rack behind. “This here is the petite section. There are some sexy one-pieces you can try, or even a tank/bikini bottom combo. Maybe a sarong or kaftan.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I get so caught up.” She put her hand out. “I’m Cora.”
“Mina,” I said as I took her hand. “Nice to meet you.” I admitted, “I’m grateful for the help. I’m not much of a fashionista.”
Nas approached from behind. “Those are hot,” she said, keeping a close eye on my new friend.
I made introductions. “Nas, this is Cora.”
Nas stared, unblinking at the girl, and spoke in deathly calm. “I know who she is.”
Cora was no longer sweet, not to Nas anyway, and her lip curled unkindly. “Just helping out.”
“Corinna.” Nas stepped forward. “You’re not following us, are you?” She looked down her nose at the woman. “You know I don’t have issues with beating your ass into the ground. And on that note,” Nas smiled cruelly, “I see your nose healed fine.”
Uh oh.
What was happening here?
Cora shrugged. “Okay, so maybe I heard about the gypsy and wanted to see her for myself.” She glanced at me and her lips pursed in thought. “She’s cute.”
I didn’t see Vik approach, but I most definitely heard him when he growled, “You out of your fucking mind, Corinna? What don’t you understand about ‘stay the fuck away from us’? Do you know what Lev will do if he finds out you’ve even looked at Mina?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and smirked, looking full of herself. “What? It’s not like I haven’t been playing nicely.” Cora…or Corinna…or whoever the frick she was, spoke directly to me and quietly. “No hard feelings, whatever happens.” She lifted a swimsuit off the rack and handed it to me. “Try this one.” She smiled kindly. “It’ll look good on you.”
Then she walked away and out of the store.
Still watching the spot she’d exited from, I asked, “Who was that?”
Vik muttered, “Corinna Alkaev.”
“Yeah,” I started. “I don’t know who that is, guys.”
“Irina’s sister,” Nas stated then added reluctantly, “Cora was my best friend.”
Oh my.
Drama, drama everywhere.
Our shopping trip came to an unexpected end and I bought the swimsuit Cora had chosen for me. We went home, and I was told not to leave the house until Lev got there. That was okay with me. I wasn’t planning on leaving.
It was time I found out exactly who the Alkaev family was.
While waiting for Lev to come home, I sat in the living area and watched a rerun of Oprah. The episode was about women who preyed on men that were already in relationships. It made my lip curl in disgust. How women could do that was beyond me. I mean, I understood that it took two to tango, but actively tempting a man, knowing he was with someone…yeah. No.
It seemed like fate had forced me to watch that episode, because when I heard the front door open and I rushed out into the foyer to greet my handsome man, I was accosted by another sight.
Anika walked in beside Lev, her elbow laced through his and her other hand resting on his chest, leaning her head on his shoulder.
Anika looked like she was in heaven.
Lev looked indifferent, as always.
Curse words sat on the edge of my tongue, flipping her the bird, but when Lev turned to face me and his eyes smiled in that way that made me near-swoon, my heart reminded me that Lev was mine. Fortunately enough, my mind agreed.
I smiled up at him. “Hey, you. I was wondering when you’d get home.” I glanced over at Anika, my brow raised. “I didn’t realize you had plans.”
He stepped toward me, forcing Anika to dislodge herself from him. When the tips of his toes touched mine, he enveloped me in a warm, secure embrace, reaching up to stroke my hair. “I didn’t have plans.” He kissed my temple and my skin burned from the contact. “Anika locked herself out of her apartment. She called me to pick her up. Nas has a spare key and she’s on her way.”
“Oh,” I muttered, staring at the actress over Lev’s shoulder. “Isn’t that just…” Convenient. “…the luck.”
Nas opened the front door and let herself in with a singsonged, “Knock, knock.” She gave Anika a smile. “That’s twice this month, Ani. Lucky for you I was home this time.”
Anika looked slightly crestfallen. “Yeah. Lucky.” She was digging herself into a hole. “I thought you guys were at the mall.”
It sounded like an accusation, and luckily for me, I wasn’t the only one who picked up on it.
Nas’s eyes narrowed at her friend. “We were. Something happened. We came home.” Her tone implied that she did not like explaining herself, especially not to her friend.
Lev pulled back to look down at me. “What happened?” At my light shrug, he looked to Nas, eyes flashing. “What happened?”
Nas leaned against the wall, crossing her legs. “Corinna wanted to meet Mina.”
“What?” he hissed, his arms tightening around me to the point of pain, then he did something stupid. He aimed his anger at the situation on Nas. “Where were you?”
That didn’t sound like an accusation. That was an accusation, plain and simple.
The air in the room grew thick around us.
“Hey,” I soothed, placing a hand on his chest.
Nas straightened, looking fu
rious, then spoke on a hush. “I know you’re upset because I am too, so I’m gonna let the way you spoke to me just now fly. But do it again, Lev, and see what happens.” She spoke through gritted teeth. “You’re not the only one who cares about Mina.”
I was surprised at what happened next.
Lev released me and went to his sister. He stood in front of her and, seeming lost, awaited her next move. When she looked up into his eyes, her anger faded as quickly as it came. She put her hand on his arm and spoke quietly, not a reprimand, but a reminder. “Watch your temper, moj brat.”
He nodded, looking relieved that she was no longer upset at him, and pulled her in for a quick one-armed hug. Lev truly loved his sister. She was the one person he sincerely wanted on his side. I didn’t blame him. Nas was a good person to have on your side.
He dipped his head and spoke directly into her ear. I didn’t hear what he said, but at her response of “It’s okay,” I guessed he had apologized.
Anika decided then was the best time to speak. “Well, I’d better be going now.” She looked to Lev, eyes wide. “Can you take me home?”
Lev looked from Anika to me, deciding where his priorities lay, and I liked that he didn’t give her a straight yes. But Nas, she was on to Anika. “Vik is showering at my place. He can take you home.”
But Anika looked down at her watch to hide the pink stain of her cheeks. “Oh, well, I really have things to do. I’d like to head back now. Lev?”
Nas wasn’t having it. Her tone quiet but firm, she told her, “You can wait.” Then Nas leaned in and uttered, “Ani, you’re my friend and I love you, but I know what you’re doing and I don’t like it.” She paused a moment then warned, “Stop. You’re going to get hurt.”
Anika’s face flushed the brightest of red. Her lips thin, she glared at Nas and spoke through gritted teeth, “Guess I’ll go wait at yours then.”
Without waiting for a response, she dashed out the door and made her way to Nastasia’s house.