Leveled: A Novella (Saints of Denver #0.5)(22)

Lidiya responded by scooping up some food onto her little spoon and holding it out to me while jabbering away.

I was touched by her offer. My smile softened. “No, sweetie, that’s your lunch.” I lifted my coffee. “This is Mina’s breakfast.”

But she insisted, holding the spoon out with more force than previously. I shook my head once more. “I’m sure it’s delectable, but really, I can’t.”

She babbled harder and said something like, “Yest, Eena. Yest.”

I pulled back, surprised. “Did you just say Mina?”

She uttered, “Eena. Zhena. Eena. Eeeena. Yest.”

I broke out into huge grin. “You did say my name, didn’t you? Smarty pants.”

From behind me came. “She wants you to eat with her.”

Gasping in shock, my entire body jerked in fright and, lifting a hand to my chest, I spun around to see Lev leaning against the doorway that lead to the laundry, watching the two of us.

“You scared the poop out of me. How long have been standing there?”

He walked farther inside the room and I nearly swallowed my tongue. Lev in a suit was delicious, but Lev wearing loose grey sweatpants hanging low on his hips, his tight black tee sticking to his broad chest with sweat, and his dark brown hair delightfully mussed was incredible.

“Long enough to know that children scare you.”

I was just about to deny that fact when Nas came in through the back door wearing a teeny see-through white t-shirt that showed her navel, her black bra visible to anyone with a pair of eyes, her blue jeans and flat strappy sandals the color of sand. Taking off her oversized sunglasses, she pointed at me. “You. Get your ass up, shower, and dress. We’ve got shit to do.”

I looked from her to Lev then back. “We do?”

She nodded. “You and me, down at the club, mixing drinks. We may end up too drunk to work tonight, but hey,”—she threw a light shrug of her shoulder then grinned wickedly—“it’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

I bit the inside of my lip. “I actually wanted to talk to you guys about that.” I cleared my throat and began, “I’m sure you saw me last night. I tried to do a good job. I really did, but I don’t think I’m cut out for it.” I paused a moment then added, “I smashed so many glasses that Anika took the blame for the last one. Then I was sent to the end of the bar to ‘study’ the drinks guide.” I huffed out a humorless laugh. “I’m not stupid. I know they were trying to get me out of the bar so they could do some real work. Babysitting isn’t part of the job.”

Silence, then Nas spoke. “Oh, wah wah wah. Poor Mina’s having a hard time serving drinks. Someone get out the violin already.”

“Hey,” I returned testily.

Lev frowned. “You don’t like the job?”

“I can’t do the job if I’m dropping glasses left, right, and center,” I explained, my voice pleading for him to understand.

Nas shook her head, looking mildly disappointed. “I never took you for one of those girls who mopes around feeling sorry for themselves.”

“I’m not!” I shot back.

“Then buck the f*ck up, precious.” She uttered in complete calm, “You gonna fall off the horse and let it trample you? Or are you gonna get back up and show the horse who’s boss?” I fumed in silence, and from Nastasia’s smug expression, she loved every moment of it. She smirked. “Make that horse your bitch, Mina. Do it.”

I stood and stomped out of the kitchen, nearly bowling Mirella over on the way.

***

Mina



The club had a different feel about it during the day. With the music off and a stream of people restocking the bars, waxing the floors, and wiping down the tables and chairs, the pressure was off. My shoulders were loose and the tension I had felt the night before was gone.

After Nas had yelled at me, which I noticed was kind of a theme with her, I went upstairs, let my hair down, dressed in a pair of black jeans, a white pair of strappy flip-flops, a white tank, and my caramel-toned sweater that hung off my shoulder. After seeing what Nas was wearing, I figured casual was acceptable for during the day.

As we walked inside, I met two of the security crew, Brick and Tommy. Brick had been the one on door duty when I’d come in that very first night. He was pleasant but stern, and I was thankful he didn’t recognize me. I was going to ask why they called him Brick, but it was obvious. He was built like a brick house.

Tommy, on the other hand, went from fierce to funny in a split second. He was tall and not quite as built as Brick, but when he scowled, he could scare the pants off anyone. He took my hand and kissed the back of it, lingering far too long. It had been a while since I had been shown any male attention. It felt nice and I giggled like a schoolgirl, my cheeks flaming around my smile.

Nas laughed at me as I fanned my face, making our way to the bar. She nudged me. “You better get used to guys falling over themselves like that. Especially with a face like yours.”

I was confused. “What do you mean?”

She raised a brow. “Fishing for compliments?” But as I lowered my face, my brow furrowed in confusion, she muttered to herself, “Dear God, she doesn’t know.” Before I could say another word, she pulled me into the mirrored foyer. Thankfully, it was deserted when she placed me right in front of it and stood behind me. “What do you see when you look in the mirror?”