Lev: a Shot Callers novel (38 page)

Chapter Forty-Eight
Mina

Cora’s first night went off without a hitch. She was a natural, and thanks to the two of us being the same size, she was able to wear the Red Riding Hood outfit Birdie had bought for me. I told Birdie to put in another order for costumes in my size, but different to the ones I had. Birdie told me that it would take a couple of days, and that was okay. I didn’t mind sharing with Cora until then.

When I went to tell her about the subtle flirting for tips, I noticed she’d already been doing it. When I thought to mention the house blend bottles full of iced-tea, Cora had already figured it out. And when I saw her lean over the bar to place a kiss on a big spender’s cheek, I was a little miffed. It was clear I wasn’t needed.

The girls on stage were dancing out a routine to Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money”, and I was mesmerized. They swayed their hips delicately, their breasts hidden behind sparkling pasties, and their expressions were sultry. They really were beauties, our Diamond Dozen.

Halfway through the night, I turned to find my brother sitting at the bar right in front of me, wearing a slight grin. I squeaked in surprise then threw myself over the bar to wrap my arms around him. I laughed in his ear, “How long were you watching me stare into space?”

He hugged me back then kissed my cheek. “Only a minute.” He pulled back and began, “I need to t—” But he stopped midsentence, losing his focus when his gaze landed on Cora. His brow furrowed. “Who’s that?”

I turned to blink at Cora then turned back to him. “Corinna Alkaev. She’s new. Started tonight. She’s a friend of the family.”

But Alessio was lost to her, and I hid my grin. He shook his head lightly before starting again. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

I looked around the bar. There were a lot of people waiting, and with Nas, Cora, Anika and me all working our tails off, I grimaced. “Any chance you could wait five minutes, just until I help with this crowd?”

Alessio smiled at me, and I could’ve sworn I saw pride there. “Take your time. It can wait.”

He waited ten minute without batting a lash, and finally, when the intermission crowd slowed, I motioned to Nas that I was stepping out. She winked at me and I walked around the bar, linked my arm through Alessio’s, and made our way to the only free space in the club by the bathroom walls. “What’s up?”

He hesitated, and when he started to talk, it was cautious. “So, you have to know that Enzo was loaded, right?”

I thought about this then shrugged. “I didn’t know that, no.”

What did that have to do with me?

Alessio nodded. “He was. And I got his inheritance.”

I looked up at him. “And so you should have.”

He shook his head. “But I’m not his only kid. You’re his kid too. And I want to share it with you.”

Oh. I understood. He felt an obligation to me.

My heart swelled and I warmed with happiness. I smiled up at him, reaching up to cup his scarred cheek. “You’re sweet, Alessio, but no. I don’t want it.”

He took my hand from his cheek and squeezed it. “Too late, Mina. It’s already in your bank account.”

I pulled back, my brow furrowing. “What?”

Alessio held onto my hand, refusing to let go. “I spoke to Lev last week. He agreed that you could use the money, and the freedom this kind of money brings. He wants you to be set, and so do I.” His grip on my hand gentled. “He was a shitty father, Mina. The money isn’t everything, but he owed us at least that much.”

Okay. He wanted me to have the money. He was adamant about that.

“How much money are we talking here?” I asked quietly.

Motioning with his fingers, I brought my head close to his and he whispered the figure into my ear. My eyes widened and I pulled back with a gasp, shoving him in the chest. “Get out!” My mouth gaping, my head swam. “Oh, my
God
. Shut
up
!”

And Alessio’s body shook with silent laughter. “Yeah.”

My mind was a mess. That was more money than one person would ever need in a lifetime. I couldn’t think. I was a mess.

Then suddenly, I blurt out, “What if I wanted to donate it to charity?”

Alessio’s brows rose. He clearly wasn’t expecting that response. He thought a moment before answering, “It’s your money, Mina. You can do what you want with it. If you want to donate it, then go for it.”

“Hey, Mina?” someone spoke from behind me. I turned to see Cora staring patiently up at Alessio, her eyes grazing over the scarred half of his face. She didn’t look at me when she spoke again, but remained fixed on the tall, brooding man. “Lev’s looking for you.”

“Cora, this in my brother Alessio. Alessio, this is Cora, our new bar girl.”

That broke Cora out of her state. Her brows rose and she smiled. “You have a brother?” Then suddenly, it was as if Alessio’s scars had disappeared and she only had eyes for the man behind them. She stepped forward and held her hand out. “You’re a lucky guy to have a sister like Mina,” she finished with a wink.

Alessio stared down at the pocket-rocket that was Cora then slowly, carefully, he took her hand, shaking it lightly. “I know.”

She bunched her nose adorably. “I’m sure you’re not so bad yourself though.”

I added on a chuckle, “He’s not.” I smiled softly up at Alessio. “He’s kind of awesome.”

Alessio released Cora’s hand and she placed that hand on his arm. “Would you like a drink? I can bring it over.”

Oh my.

Cora was giving all her attention to Alessio, and he looked as if he wasn’t sure how to handle it. He lowered his gaze and shook his head. “I’m fine. Thanks.”

I was sure it had been a long time since Alessio got the kind of attention he used to, and from the way Cora was looking at him, he’d just gained an unlikely admirer.

I didn’t want their one-sided conversation to end, so I did something I probably shouldn’t have. “Hey, Cora, you’ve done so well this evening. I don’t want to push you too hard. You’re off for the rest of the night.”

Cora’s brow furrowed. “Oh, okay. So what do I do now?”

“Sit. Have a drink. Enjoy the show,” I told her.

“By myself?” she questioned, looking a little uncomfortable.

“No,” I stated then blinked up innocently at my brother. “Hang out with Alessio.”

They both went silent.

I had made my move; it was time for them to connect four. Alessio spoke first, and he glared at me while doing it. “I should go.”

I blew him a teasing kiss. But then Cora looked up at him with wide eyes. The regret she wore was genuine. “You need to go?”

Alessio’s neck flushed. “I don’t need to go, but I should.”

Cora looked mildly devastated, but she played it off coolly. “Oh, okay. Sure.” She laughed quietly, and uttered graciously, “You have better things to do than babysit.”

Alessio looked down at her and blinked, his brows furrowing in confusion, and he asked slowly, “Unless…do you want me to stay?”

Her shoulders slumped in relief and a real smile appeared. “Would you?”

No hesitation. “Fuck yeah.”

And that was how it was done, people.

Cora beamed, stepping forward to link her arm through Alessio’s, and I watched them walk away to find a table.

I watched them for the rest of the night, and when Nas questioned where the oompa loompa was, I pointed out to the floor, and we both spotted them laughing together, sitting thigh-to-thigh.

Alessio turned his face to talk directly into Cora’s ear, but she turned to him at the same time. They stared into each other’s eyes a second before Cora closed hers and leaned forward a little. Her lips connected with Alessio’s, and after his moment of stunned disbelief, he closed his eyes and let it happen. They kissed so sweetly, so tamely, that my heart skipped a beat.

Nas wore a look of shock, and I seconded that expression.

Well, that was fast.

Cora reached her hands up to cup Alessio’s cheeks, and Alessio pulled back as if he’d been electrically shocked. He lowered his face and said something before standing and leaving Cora sitting there on her own.

She slumped into her chair and shook her head, looking miserable. Alessio was a proud man. She needed to give him time. His scars were a plague on him.

I looked to Nas, and she returned my sad look. I hoped Alessio would give Cora a chance.

After all, time healed all wounds. Or so they said.

Chapter Forty-Nine
Nastasia

I stood by the windowsill looking out at the moon, lost in thought. Dressed in the black and red kimono Vik had bought me, my gut clenched from nerves.

It was time.

I turned to where he lay on my bed, naked as the day he was born, and reached up to grasp the gold cross hanging around my neck—another gift from Vik— before I swallowed hard and spoke quietly, “Vik…honey…I need you to do something for me, okay? No questions. I just need you to do it.”

His face turned up to look at me and he frowned. “For you, baby? Anything.”

And he meant it too.

Goddamn it.

My lips quivered. I took in a deep breath before exhaling slowly. “I need you to go home.” The first of my tears fell and I inhaled brokenly. “I need you to go home and not come back here, okay?” My chin dipped and my arms tightened around myself. “It needs to be you.
You
have to leave. Because I’ll keep doing this.” I averted my eyes when I looked up again. “Because I’ll keep loving you, and I can’t do it anymore.” I swallowed hard, swiping at the tears on my cheeks, and tried to pull off calm. “So you need to go.” When he made no move to leave, my face crumbled and I begged through a whisper, “
Please
.”

There it was, out in the open, and I was shocked by how shitty it felt.  There was no relief, no weight off my shoulders. If anything, the weight had tripled.

I was losing myself.

He blinked at me a long moment before he sat up. “What are you talking about, baby?” He held his arms out and my heart cried out to be wrapped up in them. “Come back to bed,” he uttered.

I shook my head. “No.” My voice was rougher than I wanted it to be.

I walked over to the bed, sitting with my thigh grazing his. I looked him in the eye and uttered the words I dreaded to say. “Tell me you love you, Vik.” My hand shot out to grip his and I almost pled, “Just tell me you love me.”

His thumb grazed mine for a long moment before he muttered, “What’s this all about?”

At my silence, he asked, “For real, baby? You gonna let me go? Just like that?” His brow furrowed in confusion.

I understood the confusion. I’d never done this before. I wasn’t a drama queen, and I never demanded anything from Viktor Nikulin.

He was my heart and soul, and I loved him with everything I had, but I was officially worn out by our non-relationship. I wanted more. I needed more.

It was all or nothing.

My face impassive, I stated, “I can’t do this anymore, Vik. I can’t be the woman you call at three a.m. for a nightly booty call. I deserve better, like a man who isn’t afraid of loving a woman.” I shook my head. “I don’t understand you. One minute, you’re hot, and the next, you’re cold.” My voice shook. “I’m almost thirty years old. I can’t wait forever.”

His arms came around me. He pulled me close and I let him. He lifted me onto his lap, wrapped me up tight, and held me close when he stated, “I want you to think on this, okay? Don’t make any rash decisions. Just…just think on it. And if this is what you really want in the morning, I’ll go. I’ll leave you alone. Deal?”

One more night.

Holding onto him, I nodded against his chest.

My heart broke at that very moment.

Come morning, we both knew what my decision would be.

Chapter Fifty
Lev

“Have you decided?” I asked as I approached my mouse from behind, watching her scroll restlessly through charity websites.

With her fist under her chin, she grunted, “No.” Then she sighed. “There’s too many of them. I have no idea how to decide which are worthy enough to donate to.”

I thought about that.

It would be a hard decision to make. I stepped forward, pulled back the desk chair, and lifted her. I sat in her place and lowered her down to my lap. “Even if you only give half of your inheritance, there is a lot of money there. Why not split it up into four or six and donate to multiple causes.”

Mina melted into me, resting her head on my chest, curling up on my lap like a cat. “That’s not a bad idea. I might do that.” She let out a breath of frustration. “But that doesn’t make the decision any easier.”

“You could always draw them out of a hat,” I uttered, just enjoying the feel of this little creature in my arms, not serious in the least.

I held onto her and the world slipped away. She calmed my mind and my soul lifted when close to her. Mina Harris was the better part of me, and I would keep her happy for the rest of my life.

She stilled in my lap and looked up at me with wide eyes, wearing an expression that said ‘
Now why didn’t I think of that
?’

“That’s a great idea,” she whispered. A small smile graced her beautiful face and she leaned up to kiss me. I took her lips gently, dipping in to taste her, and she sighed softly. “I love you, Lev.”

It was time to explain something to Mina, something about who I was. “I have never belonged, Mina,” I started. “I have always had a feeling of loneliness inside of me, and I never understood it, not when I’m constantly surrounded by people. I do, however, understand I differ from the masses. In a constant state of confusion, misunderstanding plagues me.” My brow furrowed. “I’m always thinking, ‘What did I say to make Nastasia mad?’ or ‘Why did Sasha look at me that way?’ Why doesn’t my brain work the way it should?”

I paused a moment, and Mina listened intently. “I would’ve given anything to be normal. And around you, I feel normal.” I laid my hand against her cheek and ran my thumb over her jawline. “I’ve never had ordinary. You gave me that. I plan on repaying you what I owe you for the rest of my life.”

She leaned into my hand and closed her eyes. “We saved each other.” She opened her eyes and glanced at me lovingly. “I think we can call it even, sweetie.”

Perhaps she was right. Perhaps we were destined to find each other. Either way, I would do everything in my power to make sure Mina had a full and happy life. Just as she’d given to me.

***

My phone chirped and I pulled it out of my pocket to read the message.

Nas: Get over here. We need to talk. PRIVATELY.

I turned to look over at Mina and Lidi, who sat on the floor watching a children’s movie on the television. They were apart but holding hands.

My throat constricted.

I didn’t want to leave, but Nastasia was my sister. She was important to me and when she called on me, I would be there.

Standing, I stilled when Mina turned to look back at me. “Be back soon. Nas needs me.”

Mina blew me a kiss and I took it with me as I walked out the front door and made the short journey to my sister’s house.

She was waiting for me at the front door, holding it open. With a wave of her arm, she said, “Get in here.”

It sounded serious. Nas was rarely short with me and right now, she seemed annoyed. I made my way up the steps and as I crossed the threshold of her home, I stated, “Something’s wrong.”

She puffed out a long breath, walking through to her dining room and taking a seat. “Yeah, something’s wrong, Lev.” She jerked her chin, motioning for me to take a seat, so I did.

“What is it?” I asked carefully.

Nas sat back in her chair and uttered softly, “Do you love Mina?”

My face turned hard. What an idiotic question. “Of course I love Mina.”

What was this about?

My heart pounded. When things came to Mina, I didn’t mess around. “What’s going on, Nas?”

Then she said something I wasn’t expecting. Here eyes sad, she muttered, “I’m a little disappointed in you.”

The pounding in my chest increased. “Why?”

My sister shook her head. “The public proposal was cute, Lev. It was you down to a T.” She shook her head. “But I was hoping you’d step outside your box, get down on one knee and ask Mina in a way that would make her feel special.”

I lowered my face, momentarily lost in thought and when I raised my head to look at her again, I asked, “Do you think Mina would like that? A proposal?”

Nas smiled gently and told me, “Every woman wants a proposal she can tell her kids about.”

Children? With Mina?

I liked that idea.

Yes. A proposal.

I could do that.

My mind made up, I leaned forward slightly and queried, “What do I need to do?”

Nas grinned then. “I thought you’d never ask.”