Lev: a Shot Callers novel (2 page)

Chapter Three
Mina

I didn’t have much of a plan.

Okay. So I didn’t have a plan at all.

After spending another fruitless night in my alley, my body was cold, chilled to the bone. I just wanted to go somewhere I’d be warm. Unfortunately, it was past midnight, and there weren’t a lot of options as far as I could see.

I could go into the convenience store for a while, but they would expect me to buy something, and seeing as I had no money and looked as though I had no money, they’d turn me on my ass before I could say boo.

There was the fast food restaurant with the bright red and yellow sign, but I didn’t think I could handle being engulfed in the smell of burgers and fries without bursting into tears for want.

I decided to turn and walk the opposite direction, when I noticed a group of men exit a building. They were laughing and looked happily drunk. Drunk was good. People did odd things when they were drinking.

My stomach rumbled loudly and my decision was made. I would find the tipsiest man in the club and seduce him. When he passed out, I’d take his wallet and be on my merry way. I could make a small amount of money go a long way if I had to.

I needed to eat. I felt ashamed that I would resort to low lengths to do that, but I was sick of being me. Mina was friendly, and honest, and kind. Being
me
got me nowhere. I was floating down shit creek without a paddle.

The white sign above the door read Bleeding Hearts in simple, elegant font. Steadying myself, I pushed open one side of the huge double doors and stepped inside.

A tall, bulked-up man with a crew cut and an impeccable suit looked down at me. He was not amused. “You lost?”

I shook my head before swallowing hard and muttering, “Just looking for somewhere to drink.”

That changed his attitude quick enough. He opened the second set of doors and loud RnB blasted into the foyer. “We don’t get a lot of ladies down here. The bar is to the right. Have a good night.”

I had been called a lot of things in my life, but never a lady. I suddenly felt regretful of my reason for being here. Regardless, I walked inside and felt immediate warmth. A shiver of delight caused my skin to break out in gooseflesh.

Finally!

I could’ve crowed with happiness, but I had more important things to think about. Before I made my way to the bar, I was drawn to the left.

Two women with gorgeous bodies swung around provocatively on poles, dressed in nothing but little scraps of material covering their privates. The blonde woman had glitter pasties stuck to her nipples. The redhead’s nipples were pierced.

Ah. I got it then.

“We don’t get a lot of ladies down here.”

My cheeks turned bright pink as men hollered up at the dancing girls. My gut rolled. The bouncer must have thought I was a complete pervert.

I pulled my hair over my face to hide my flaming cheeks and found an empty bar stool in the corner of the room, hidden from light. It was the perfect place to search for the man who would help feed me.

My eyes scanned the room through the dim lighting of the club. There were too many of them. I’d have to get closer.

I stayed by my stool a while before I made my move. My heart raced as anxiety took over me. I took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. My back ramrod straight, I would find my savior right here, in this very room.

I just didn’t know what he looked like yet.

***

Lev

I was drawn to her immediately. Intrigue held me captive.

My brow furrowed as I watched her. What was she doing in a place like this? It was clear she didn’t belong here.

By the look of her, she didn’t belong quite anywhere. She was so small her black coat was at least three sizes too big, and the way she covered her face with her long dark hair was so childlike that my chest hurt.

That was new. It surprised me. I wasn’t sure whether that was good or bad, but it made me take a step toward her.

I managed to spot one doe-like eye peeping through her hair as she stared openly at the girls on stage. Obviously, she hadn’t come to see dancing girls. From the shock on her face, she didn’t know Bleeding Hearts was a strip joint.

Reaching up, she moved to cover her face with her hair once more before she lowered her head and scurried along to the dark side of the bar. It pleased me that she chose that spot. It was the spot I normally sat. Warmth spread through my torso.

The club was almost at capacity. As news of Paolo’s death carried, Sasha spread the word that he would be opening the club to friends and family. No cover charge. Drinks were on the house.

This, of course, meant that my keen eyesight would have to be keener tonight. Sasha didn’t like trouble. I kept trouble from arising.

The girls behind the bar served customers, smiles pasted onto their faces, even though they would be worked to the bone. The tips would be worth the straying hands and ogling eyes.

Sasha came out from behind the door. His eyes met mine almost instantly and he jerked his chin at me in greeting. I returned it.

When I was younger, Sasha taught me it was rude to ignore a greeting. I was never any good at taking cues from other people. Conversation was painful. I didn’t like to speak unless spoken to, and even then, I would rarely talk unless a question was asked.

My brother was a hard man, but he was also patient. And growing up with me was not easy, I was sure. He never raised his voice to me, even when I was told I was being unreasonable. He was kind and understanding, and he explained things to me in a way I would understand.

I was six years old when my parents realized something was wrong with me. Our family dog, Mishka, ran out into the road and was hit by car. When my father told me she hadn’t survived, I simply nodded then ran upstairs to my room to process.

That was where I was found, hours later, covered in blood after slamming my head into my bedroom wall, over and over. My father rushed me to the emergency room. I’d opened the side of my head to the bone. They stitched me up, but still, I didn’t cry.

When the doctor asked if this was something that happened often, my father got angry. He said there was nothing wrong with me and that it was an accident. The doctor calmly explained that he could help, but my father picked me up and took me home.

In the car, he turned to me and said, “You are my son and I love you. There is nothing wrong with you.” But as the years went on, it became clear to anyone who met me that there was something wrong with me.

Although I smiled on occasion, I never laughed. I was able to remember almost every detail of every conversation I had ever had. I was smart in an abnormal way, and could calculate large sums in my mind. I did not understand or process emotion as others did. I didn’t cry. And I never lied.

People called me a cyborg.

I didn’t like that.

My sister, Nastasia, beat the shit out of the kids who dared to tease me. Sasha never had to raise a finger. All he would need to do was glare at them and they’d run scared.

Time went on, and Sasha helped me while Nastasia loved me unconditionally. Sasha taught me to respond to people in a casual fashion and helped me read cues. I still wasn’t any good at taking prompts from people. If you didn’t tell me what you were feeling, chances were I wouldn’t know.

Nastasia told me there was nothing wrong with me. That it wasn’t my fault I was smarter than everyone else. She said that if the rest of the world didn’t have shit for brains then I wouldn’t be so special, so I should be grateful.

The young woman moved amongst the crowd in a seemingly casual way, but I saw more in the way she watched the men with a hawk’s eye.

She was up to something. And I would find out exactly what.

***

Mina

It was harder than it looked, choosing a man to seduce.

It didn’t help that most of the men in the club were in their late forties and fifties and smelled like sweat combined with vodka, and that stale musty smell people got when they’d been drinking too much. It was funny that I felt the need to complain about smell, when I likely smelled just as bad. I should be grateful if one of these men took pity on me.

When one man grabbed at my hand and yelled in my ear, “Part of the entertainment?” I shook my head in panic, snatched my arm away, and dashed away, back to my corner.

Mentally scolding myself, I regrouped. He would’ve been a good candidate. Sure, he was old and fat and balding, but he wore nice rings and likely had a full wallet. Closing my eyes, I sighed.

What am I doing?

I scoffed, shaking my head before I stood. I couldn’t sleep with any of these men; it didn’t matter how hungry I was. And I was stupid to think I would be able to go through with my ridiculous plan.

Straightening, I moved to leave the club. Just as I was walking past a group of rowdy men, an attractive middle-aged man leaned over the bar to speak to one of the gorgeous bartenders.

I stilled, and everything else melted away.

The man’s wallet hung out of his back pocket half an inch.

It wasn’t a lot, but it was enough.

My feet took me over to him before I’d even mentally decided on what to do. I really didn’t want to steal this guy’s wallet. I just wanted to live another day. It wasn’t personal. It was life.

A foot away from the man, I stood with my back to him, and with quick fingers, I lifted the wallet out, whisper soft. I shoved it into my coat and, heart racing, looked around until I saw the neon light for the ladies room.

I didn’t stop to think. I ran.

Making my way down the narrow hall, I shoved the heavy door open. It was empty. I looked around with wide eyes before rushing into one of the many vacant stalls, seating myself on the closed toilet seat to see how I’d done.

The wallet was heavy. I opened it with shaking fingers. My curse hung in the air then I laughed to myself as I pulled out the stack of hundred dollar bills. I didn’t count them all, but I was sure there was close to seven hundred dollars there. Dropping the wallet on the floor, I shoved the money into my pocket and moved to unlock the stall. Just as my fingers touched the cool metal, my conscience glared at me.

Why was the man carrying so much money?
I wondered. Perhaps that withdrawal, that specific amount, was for something important. And I was taking it from him. He likely worked hard for that money, and here I was, stealing it.

I pulled the money out of my pocket, a frown marring my brow. I didn’t need
all
this money. I only needed enough to get by for a little while.

Removing two of the hundred dollar bills, I placed the others back into the wallet. But my conscience still wasn’t happy. Sighing, I took another hundred and put it back into the wallet, leaving me with only one.

A hundred dollars was nothing to sneeze at. I could make that hundred go a long way. It would feed me for two weeks, three at most. I’d come by something else by then.

Satisfied with my haul, I held onto the wallet, opened the stall door, and froze.

I hadn’t heard the door open, but the tall man leaning against the wall had clearly been there a while. His light brown eyes on me, arms crossed over his chest, he looked down at the evidence in my hand and said one word.

“Explain.”

Chapter Four
Lev

Although I didn’t understand other people’s emotions, I understood my own quite well. And right now, I was disappointed.

“Explain,” I ordered.

Her hair still covered most of her face, but I could see one wide green eye peeping out at me. She looked frightened.

No. From the way her hands shook and her chest heaved, it hit me that she wasn’t frightened. She was terrified.

Nodding toward the wallet in her hand, I spoke softer this time. “That belongs to my brother.”

Her shoulders slumped. She uttered a quiet but remorseful, “I’m sorry.”

Taking a step forward, I took the wallet from her hand and held out the other. She reluctantly placed a hundred dollar bill into it and stepped away from me. I opened Sasha’s wallet and stilled.

I looked up at the girl. She had dipped her chin to avoid looking at me. “There’s a lot of money in here.” She nodded. I asked, “Why didn’t you take it all?”

When she looked up at me, she blinked away tears and whispered a trembling, “I just wanted something to eat.”

A wave of emotion ran through me. First, anger, then sadness, then something I couldn’t quite explain. Protectiveness, perhaps. “You’re hungry.” A statement, not a question.

She nodded once more and it was done.

The girl had unexpectedly become my responsibility.

***

Mina

Gentle fingers under my chin lifted my face until I couldn’t avoid him anymore.

He spoke in perfect calm. “You have a choice.” I stared, confused. I hadn’t realized I’d be given a selection. “I can call the cops and have you arrested.” I almost bunched my nose, but stopped myself in the nick of time. I didn’t like that choice. “Or you can work for the club, make good money, set yourself up.” He added, “Never go without a meal again.”

Was this guy nuts? My mind gaped. Like I even had to think about which option I preferred.

Then he added a third option, taking the hundred-dollar note I’d nabbed and he held it up high. “Or I can give you this. You can leave and disappear into the night.” His eyes trained on me, he theorized, “A hundred dollars will get you more than one hot meal.”

My head swam. I was sure this was a trick.

A hundred dollars was enough to get me by for a little while but a job, a place to stay and food. How could I pass that up?

Oh, God, food was important to me.

I swallowed hard. “Option-B sounds good.”

He seemed pleased. “I thought so.” He extended a hand. “Come along.”

Pulling my sleeves down over my hands, I leaned away from him. “Wait. What kind of work? I—” My train of thought went elsewhere and I blushed. “Dancing? Like those girls out there?”

A single brow rose. “You think I want you to strip?”

My blush turned into a full-blown flush and I felt my neck heat.

Of course he doesn’t want you to strip. You’re not exactly Jennifer Lopez.

“I don’t want you to strip. I want you to stay clothed.” He looked disgusted that I would even make the suggestion. “
Fully
clothed,” he added testily, and mortification turned my stomach. “You’ll tend the bar with the others.”

“I don’t know how.”

His stare was blunt. “You’ll learn.”

That didn’t sound bad. In fact, it sounded great. He held out his hand once more and, keeping my hand covered with my sleeve, I placed it into his. When his warm hand cocooned mine, I realized how large it was. It didn’t take long for me to take in the rest of him. He was tall, around 6’1” or 6’2”, had broad shoulders, narrow hips, long legs, and a stern face. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. It had to be. It didn’t look like this guy could buy off the rack. I glanced up at his face, and his light brown eyes stared right back at me.

A shiver went through me. His face came across harsh. His cheekbones were high, his chin was strong, his nose slightly crooked, and he had generous lips. His skin was lightly tanned and flawless; he didn’t have any laugh lines. It was almost as if he didn’t smile at all.

It suddenly hit me. Why would a man who wore suits and spoke in such a classy manner help a homeless girl who he caught stealing?

I pulled my hand out of his. “If this is a trick…” My hair covered half of my face, but I could see the sudden tilt of his head and narrow of his brow. I told him honestly, “If you want to call the police, call them. I promise I’ll stay and tell them I stole the wallet.” I lowered my face and added thoughtfully, “They might even feed me.” I peeked back up at him. “But getting a person’s hopes up and joking about things like that to someone who has nothing…it’s cruel.”

He looked at me for a long moment before taking my hand again—without permission, I might add—and stating, “I don’t lie.”

He said this confidently, in a way that left me inclined to believe it. I was led out of the bathroom and down the hall before I asked quietly, “Why are you helping me?”

Without looking at me, he led me on and responded, “You look like you need the help.”

***

Lev

The later it got, the quieter the bar became. Paolo’s memory had been celebrated long into the night, and while patrons were calling it a day, the club would be open until three a.m., regardless of if it were empty.

I led the girl back out to the floor, and I couldn’t help but notice how tiny her hands were. I liked the way they felt in mine. I did not like how cold her skin was. I’d have to buy her warmer coat.

I gazed down at her. Scratch that. I’d have to buy her a coat—
any
damn coat—in her size.

At the lip of the foyer, I leaned down to the girl’s ear and ordered, “Stay here,” and then walk over to spot Anika behind the bar. Her face brightened at the sight of me.

My lip quirked. I liked Anika. She’d always been kind to me. We’d known each other since we were children, and her brother, Viktor, was somewhat of an honorary family member and could be found at our house, eating our food.

“Hey, Lev,” she said as she gently tossed her long, red wavy hair over her shoulder. She puffed out a breath, blowing part of her fringe off her forehead. “What a night, huh?”

I liked the way Anika spoke. It always calmed me. She had such a soft lilt to her voice that at one point I thought her an angel. “Hey, Ani.” I handed her Sasha’s wallet. “Can you make sure my brother gets that?”

She smiled sweetly. “Of course. You off for the night?”

I nodded. “Have a good one.”

Her smile dissipated at my hurried goodbye. She spoke quietly, “You too, handsome.”

Walking back to the girl, I was almost surprised to see her still standing there, chewing nervously on her thumbnail. Part of me figured she’d disappear while my back was turned. But at the sorry state of her, I knew she likely had nowhere to go.

I held out my hand, and she placed her small one into mine without question. And goddamn it, that satisfied me. Immensely. We walked hand-in-hand through to the parking lot, where my black Chevrolet Camaro sat waiting. I pressed the button on my keys and it chirped twice, then I opened the passenger door for the girl, helping her inside. “Buckle up.”

Perhaps it should have worried me that she didn’t even hesitate to get into a car with a complete stranger. But it was obvious that anywhere was better than here.

Once seated, I started the car and drove out of the parking lot. Without asking, I drove down the street to the twenty-four-hour burger joint and headed down the drive-thru. When I stopped at the speaker, I turned to the girl. “Anything in particular?”

She eyed the menu, but shook her head. She licked her lips. “I’m not fussy.”

I ordered her the biggest burger meal, supersized, and an extra cheeseburger, just in case she could down it. I doubted it though. She was positively tiny. Once the food came, I handed it to her, and she held the paper bag close to her chest as if she was worried someone would take it from her.

I waited. And waited. And waited.

My brow furrowed as I parked the car. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

Her eyes darted here and there. She held her tongue for a moment before she uttered an uneasy, “I don’t want to mess up your car.”

The loud growl of her stomach was an objection if I ever heard one.

I reached over, opened the bag, took out the burger, unwrapped it carefully, and handed it back to her. She took it with shaky hands, closed her eyes, and took a big bite, chewing slowly.

She ate soundlessly. I opened my window, turned up the radio, and waited patiently. I couldn’t help but look over at her every now and again. She was so quiet. A few minutes passed, and I turned back to see how she was doing, working on her food, and my chest seized.

Her shoulders jerked daintily as she cried in complete silence, eating all the while. She must have felt my eyes on her, because she turned toward the passenger door, her back to me, as her breath hitched quietly while she wept.

This was one of those moments that did it to me. I was officially overwhelmed. I didn’t know what to do. I was clueless, and that caused irritation to well up inside of me.

I took the decorative handkerchief out of my breast pocket and held it between my fingers, nudging her gently. She took it, muttering a low, “Thank you,” then I stepped out of the car to give her some time to recover from her emotions.

Ten minutes passed, and I looked in through the car window to see the girl sitting in silence, her hands clutching the paper bag tight. Sitting inside the car, I reached for the bag, but she snatched it out of my reach.

My brows rose.

Her hair was becoming a problem for me. Her visible cheek flushed as she explained, “I didn’t finish. It was a lot of food.” She added hesitantly, “I’d like to take it with me if that’s okay.”

Who was I to object? I bought the food for her, after all. “Not a problem. Where can I drive you? Do you have anywhere to stay?”

She paused. “Yeah, um, I’m actually only a few blocks away, so I can walk from here.”

I was already shaking my head. “I’ll drive you.” She tried to object a second time, but I added inflexibly, “I insist.”

She stared at me a long while then nodded. “Okay. Turn left and drive until you see Café Alonzo.”

I knew where that was. I wasn’t aware of any housing in that area, but I drove anyway. Slowing to a stop, I looked out the window, unconvinced this was where she lived. “Are you sure this is where you live?”

She smiled faintly. “Positive.” At my frown, she quickly added, “It’s not much, but it’s home.” She turned to me then and did something I’d been longing for her to do from the moment I saw her.

Placing her fingertips to her cheek, she moved the hair away from her face, tucking it gently behind her ear.

I was mesmerized.

She was gorgeous. Absolutely stunning.

Her heart-shaped face looked too thin, but her mouth was small, full and pink. Her green eyes were large and expressive, framed prettily with long, dark lashes. She was pale, her skin unblemished. She had black makeup smudged under her eyes, but I could see the beauty she tried to hide from the world. And what a rare beauty she was.

Her expression soft, she avoided eye contact and dipped her chin as she spoke. “I want to thank you for your kindness tonight. Not many people would have done what you did.” Her rosebud mouth quirked into an awkward smile. “I owe you. More than you’ll ever know.”

Feeling mildly uncomfortable of her thanks, I turned off the car, ignoring her suddenly anxious expression. “Are you able to get yourself to the club tomorrow by seven? If you can’t, I’ll have someone pick you up.”

I
would pick her up.

Her brow bunched and she bit the inside of her bottom lip, thinking. “I think so. I don’t have a watch, but I’ll make sure I’m there, even if I’m early.”

I pulled up my shirtsleeve, undid the latch on my Tag Heuer watch, and handed it to her. She frowned at me. “What…?” When I did not retrieve the watch, her eyes widened. “I can’t take that.”

I fought to control my anger. Gritting my teeth, I spoke calmly. “You can give it back to me tomorrow.”

Her expression turned panicked. “Do you know what would happen if someone saw me with that? I’d get mugged!”

I scowled.
Just let them try. I fucking dare them.
“Then I’ll buy another.”

The change in her expression was so sudden that I blinked. She took the watch carefully and muttered, “Must be nice to have that much money.”

Shame caused me to flush, and my anger showed itself. I snapped, “Do you need a ride or not?”

“No.”

She held the fast food bag tightly and peeked over at me before evading my inscrutable gaze. “I’m Mina.”

“Mina,” I tested it out. It felt good on my tongue. “I’m Lev.”

She opened the door and stepped out, leaning down into the open space. “Thank you, Lev. For everything. I’ll work hard.” She smiled tiredly. “You won’t regret it.”