Lev: a Shot Callers novel(21)

“No, you don’t.” Nastasia took my hand in her own and squeezed. “You’re a wonderful person, Lev. But you don’t see.”

Panic welled up inside of me. I lowered my gaze, training my eyes on my feet. What was I to do now? I didn’t know how to react. I felt wrong.

Releasing my hand, Nas assisted me in my unspoken query. “When you get the chance, apologize to Mina.”

My stomach ached. I hated this, unintentionally hurting people. I nodded.

My sister kissed my cheek and assured, “You’re a good man, Lev. You just need a little help sometimes. No biggie.”

But it was a big deal, to me more than most.

***

Mina



“Mina.”

It was childish, but I ignored him. “Mina, please look at me.”

I took a moment from reading my handy little guide to mixers and turned my face toward him, but my eyes strayed, focusing on his chin. He spoke softly. “Nastasia informed me that what I said in front of Anika and Viktor was inappropriate and I likely embarrassed you.” My brow furrowed in confusion. He spoke about it as if he didn’t know why I would be embarrassed about it. He went on, “It wasn’t my intention to cause you distress, and I now understand why you called me an *. I apologize.”

Saying sorry was one of the hardest things to say to a person, and Lev had done it in such a sincere manner that my anger ebbed away. Mostly. “I suppose you’re going to go around telling everyone that I’m a homeless thief?”

He tilted his head in that way of his and concentrated hard, searching my face. “You’re ashamed of your past.”

My eyes went down to the book in front of me and I uttered quietly, “There’s a stigma behind vagrants. Everyone looks down on the homeless. Of course I’m ashamed of my past.”

“I’m not ashamed of who you are. And the only time I would look down on you is if I were helping you back up.”

He had a way with words. I’d give him that. I wondered how he could say something, essentially stealing the breath from me. He seemed to enjoy doing it. He had to, otherwise he wouldn’t do it so often.

“Stop doing that,” I whispered.

His honeyed eyes narrowed in confusion. “Doing what?”

“Being so nice to me.” I’d had enough. Slapping the book down on the bar, I gave in to myself and said what I’d been thinking. “Why am I here, Lev? Why have you brought me here? Here specifically? Why am I staying in your house, in you bed?” I paused. “Am I…” I swallowed hard. “You work in a gentleman’s club, surrounded by gorgeous women, I…” My voice hushed, I asked hesitantly, “Am I being groomed into prostitution?”

A heavy silence followed. Then, “No.”

My heart heavy, I turned up my face to look into his gorgeous eyes. “Tell me I can leave at any time, Lev.”

His eyes on me, I watched as they flashed. Finally, he lowered his face and muttered, “You can leave at any time, Mina.” He stepped back and away from me. “Although I hope you choose to stay.” His face became impassive. “You deserve better than the unfortunate life you were dealt.”

I watched him walk away from me and I was suddenly overwhelmed. My nose itched as my eyes filled with tears. I blinked them back, sniffling to myself in the dark corner of the bar, thankful for the solitude.





Chapter Eleven

Mina



I wasn’t sure of the time when I first opened my eyes the next morning, nor the second, but each time I opened my eyes, I lifted my head to check the sofa bed. The first two times, the outline of Lev was apparent. The third time I checked, the sheets had been folded and rested on the edge of the mattress.

I blinked drowsily at the made bed, and regardless of how many times I tried to get back to sleep after that, slumber wouldn’t take me.

Yawning, I slipped out of bed, straightening the covers, and shuffled tiredly into the en suite to wash my face and brush my teeth with my snazzy new hot pink toothbrush. I brushed my hair and pulled it into a low ponytail. When I deemed myself presentable, I made my way downstairs, calling out, “Hello? Anyone home?”

From the room to the left came, “In here, Miss Mina.”

As soon as I stepped into the kitchen, I smiled. Lidiya, dressed in a light pink dress with frilly sleeves, her hair in a perfectly curly ponytail at the top of her head, sat in a high chair, spooning up what looked to be pasta straight into her mouth.

Mirella, sitting by her side, smiled over at me. “Good afternoon, Miss Mina.”

My voice still croaky from sleep, I groaned. “Oh, God. Please. You don’t have to be formal with me. Mina will do nicely, since I intend to call you Mirella.”

The older woman grinned. “I can do that.” She mock-glared at Lidiya. “Now, you, missy. You need to eat up. Mirella needs to use the bathroom.”

I looked to Lidiya, who was the picture of calm as she fed herself. “You can go ahead. I’ll watch her.”

She looked uncertain. “Have you ever looked after a two-year-old before? They can be quite a handful.”

I blinked. “You’re planning on spending the entire day in the bathroom?”

The woman chuckled. “No, only a few minutes.”

I walked over to the coffee machine and filled a mug. “Well, okay then.” Taking the seat she’d just vacated, I assured her, “We’ll be fine.” I smiled at the little girl with the lashes that would make a grown woman weep in a fit of jealousy. “All right, kiddo. Take it easy on me. I’m new at this.”