Lev: a Shot Callers novel(8)

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.”

My stomach flipped at her sweet smile. “Goodnight, Mina.”

She lowered her lashes. “Goodnight.”

I watched her walk down an alley connecting to the street behind, waited until she was out of sight then started the car and drove two blocks down.

With a light sigh, I parked my car, turned the lights off, and waited.





Chapter Five

Mina



My God, but was Lev intense or what?

The car drove away and I waited a full two minutes before I walked out of the alley and started the three-block walk down to my alley.

I fanned my face thinking about him. Gods above, he was simply divine.

I looked down at myself, my face heating. Here I was, thinking about my handsome guardian angel, and I looked like an extra from the movie Swamp Thing.

I hugged myself tightly with my free arm. Clutching the watch in my hand, I decided not to risk losing it and put it on. Unfortunately, as I struggled with the latch, I realized a little too late that even in the smallest position, it was too loose. Still, I pushed it up my forearm.

I would return this watch, dammit. Even if it was the last thing I ever did.

The bag of food by my side, I walked hastily. I didn’t want to risk any unwanted attention tonight. I needed to get home quickly.

Finally, I reached my destination and, moving behind the dumpster, I fished out my bag of miscellaneous crap.

Great. All my clothes were dirty. Not that I had much, but at least I could wear my too-big black jeans and my white tee. I held up the garments, immediately spotting the brown stain on the once-white shirt.

I’d have to do laundry tomorrow. But, shit, I still had no money.

How embarrassing. I would not be starting work in dirty freaking clothes. I would just have to beg tomorrow morning, praying someone would gift me the quarters I needed for a single load.

The voice behind me startled me, so much that I jumped, squeaked, and fell flat on my ass into a puddle of piss-smelling mud.

“It’s not much, but it’s home, huh?”

Panting, I turned to Lev, my voice cutting. “What the heck are you doing here?”

My derision didn’t deter him. I wasn’t really angry at him, just mortified. I couldn’t exactly greet him with a ‘Welcome to my humble abode. Mineral water? Whiskey?’

All I could offer was the smell of trash and questionable puddles.

He stepped closer, his eyes flashing dangerously. “I had a feeling you weren’t being completely honest with me. So I followed you.”

Yeah. No shit, Sherlock.

Ass in puddle, I held my arms wide and smiled mockingly. “Do you like it? I just had the walls done. I think the color is called shit brown.” I sniffed noticeably. “Oh no, wait.” Sarcasm dripped from my every word. “That is shit.”

That brow rose, and I wanted to take a handful of my piss puddle and fling it at him. Instead, I stood, the cold puddle liquid dripping down my legs. My cheeks colored as I toned down the sass. “I think, after seeing the place, you can understand why I didn’t want company.”

He ignored me. “Do you have a family somewhere?”

Shoving my clothes back into my bag of crap, I shook my head.

“I’m sure there are shelters around these parts. Why aren’t you staying at one?”

I zipped the bag harder than I should have. He wouldn’t understand, even if I spelled it out letter-by-letter. “Trust me when I tell you that they aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.” I threw the bag over my shoulder. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to find a Laundromat to beg in front of tomorrow morning so I can not smell like a pool of urine.”

He straightened, keys in hand, and turned, jerking his chin at me. “Come along, mouse.”

I sighed. Why was he being so kind? “I don’t need a ride. I can find one myself.”

He paused at the beginning of the alley. “Not taking you to the damn Laundromat. I’m taking you home.” He cocked his head slightly. “That is, unless you don’t want a warm bed to sleep in and somewhere to wash those rags.”

I ignored the jibe and watched him walk back out onto the street.

Time passed. I didn’t even know this guy. I shouldn’t have even considered it. But anything was better than the street. I hauled my bag up higher onto my shoulder.

And like the lost puppy I was, I followed Lev home.

***

“This is home?” I asked in astonishment as he pressed the button on the remote attached to the sun visor above his head.

The huge iron gates opened and he grunted his affirmative response.

Still in awe, I asked, “Do you get lost in here?”

He snuffled, and it sounded awful close to a laugh, but I seriously doubted it. “Don’t be fooled. It’s actually three houses in one complex. My brother and sister live here also.”

That drew me out of my admiration instantly. A shiver went down my spine as dread took me by surprise. “Wait, what? Your brother? The same brother whose wallet I stole?” He nodded silently and, eyes wide in alarm, I squawked, “I can’t stay here!”

“Relax.” He said this in such a bored tone that it sounded as if it took him all the effort in the world to say it. “It’s fine. He’s not home yet, and my sister is out of town at the moment. We have the entire complex to ourselves. For now.”