Leveled: A Novella (Saints of Denver #0.5)(109)

Igor’s face paled as he whispered, “What have you done, Corinna?”

Cora stood. “I’ll tell you what I’ve done. I’ve made four copies of that ledger.” She paused momentarily. “You can have the original back, but if you want to go ahead with this petty custody battle for a child you don’t want,” her voice lowered a notch, “I will air all your dirty laundry, all over. Every news network will know the ins and outs of Zakon.”

Her father stepped forward and looked like he was ready to strike, but he stopped himself. “I’ll be killed.”

She shrugged. “So you’ll be a martyr to the cause.”

I wasn’t sure I was seeing right, but Igor’s forehead began to glisten with sweat as he choked out, “You’ll be killed.”

Cora folded her arms over her chest. “Yeah, I thought about that already. See, if anything happens to me, I gave strict instructions to release a copy of the ledger to the FBI. The other three copies…” She looked so pleased with herself as she sighed, “Who knows where they’ll go?”

Igor looked ready to roar.

Cora leaned forward and stage-whispered, “By the way, does Mama know you were the one supplying Irina meth?” At her mother’s pained gasp, Cora turned to us, cringing. “Shit.” She spoke through the side of her mouth, “That’s awkward.”

A thick silence enveloped us. We stood there, soaking in what Corinna Alkaev had just dealt her father, when finally, she clapped and stated, “Okay, so we’re leaving now, and you’re not going to see us again. Not ever. If you even try to look Lidi’s way, I will crush you like the f*cking insect you are, you sad, bitter man.” Her harsh expression wavered a moment to reveal a deep sadness. “I loved you once.” She turned to her mother. “You need to leave him, Ma. He’s insane.” She warned her mom, “Get out while you still can.”

Igor’s fists balled and he uttered through gritted teeth, “You disrespectful whore.”

Cora ignored him, still looking at her mother. “Call me if you need me. I’ll support you in whatever you choose.” She smiled at the quiet older woman who now had tears in her eyes. “I love you, Mama. Always have. Always will.”

She turned on her heel and motioned for us to leave. “Come on. Let’s go.”

Cora walked us to our car and murmured, “Go. I’ll meet you at Nastasia’s.”

Lev didn’t stop to ask questions.

We got in the car and drove.




Cora and Nas were waiting for us as we stepped out of the car. I held out my arms. “What the hell was that?”

Nas turned to Cora and nudged her shoulder. “That’s what you call having game.”

Lev approached cautiously. “Please tell me that was not a bluff.”

Cora smiled at him. “No. Nas has a copy, and so does Sasha. My lawyer has one, and the last ledger is in a secret location.” She sighed. “Pappy will be royally f*cked if he messes with you again.”

“Why?” he asked. “Why are you helping me?”

Cora looked down at the ground before speaking softly. “You said I was like family once. And families look after each other, have each other’s backs.” She paused. “I always felt more at home here than I ever did over there.”

Then Lev did something odd.

He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around Corinna, and hugged her. And this was no short hug. It lasted a full minute, at the very least. Cora slumped into him, reaching up and gripping his jacket tightly as she accepted the rare show of affection from a man who seldom gave it.

And I stood by, smiling like a loon.

He pulled back and cupped her cheek. “Thank you, Corinna. I’m in your debt.”

But she shook her head. “You don’t owe me anything. I just want Lidiya to be happy, and she’s happy here.”

That she was, the little munchkin.

A thought crossed me. “Are we sure Igor will heed the warning? He’s so cocky. Doesn’t seem like the type to worry about a threat.”

Cora’s brow rose. “Oh, he’ll listen.” She chuckled. “I emailed him back a copy of the documents just so he knows I’m not playing around.”

“Whoa,” I stated in awe. “You’re a badass motherf*cker, Cora.” I smiled in appreciation. “I like it. It’s a good look on you.”

Nas cut in then, “Cora’s going to be staying here for a while, just until she gets back on her feet.”

Cora blanched. “Unless you don’t want me to.”

Lev replied sincerely, “Stay as long as you like. We have plenty of room.”

Nas nudged Cora and whispered, “Ask him.”

Cora’s brows bunched, and she shook her head discreetly.

Nas rolled her eyes. “Just ask him.”

“Ask me what?” Lev enquired.

Cora shook her head, looking mildly embarrassed. “It’s not important.”

Nas sighed loudly. “You realize she’s officially cut off now, right?” Lev nodded, but shrugged. Nas muttered uncomfortably, “She kind of needs a job, you know, to live.”

Lev looked down at Cora. “Can you serve drinks?”

“I don’t know. I never tried,” she replied.