Leveled: A Novella (Saints of Denver #0.5)(3)

People didn’t like me.

I didn’t blame them.

We stood there another moment before Sasha spoke again, gently this time. “Let the man pass, Lev.”

I heard my brother, but I didn’t want to listen. I didn’t like Paolo.

Another moment, then again, “Move, Lev.”

I stepped to the side and let the idiot pass. As soon as he was out the door, I closed it behind him and said what needed to be said. “He’s a liability.”

Sasha sighed as he sat. “I know.” He picked up the phone, and after a short while, he spoke into the receiver. “I need you.” Without another word, he hung up.

We waited in silence, and when the knock sounded, I opened the door for the tall, slim man. He wore jeans, tennis shoes, and a short-sleeved blue polo shirt. He wore glasses and looked sophisticated with his blond hair gelled back, but nothing could hide the pock-scars on his cheeks. “What’s up?”

Sasha nodded toward the door, and I closed it behind us, locking it. The tall man smirked playfully. “Should I be worried? I feel like I just got called into the principal’s office.”

Sasha ran a hand down his face, pausing to squeeze the bridge of his nose. “Can you induce a heart attack?”

He leaned against the wall and sighed dramatically. “Well, shit. And today was such a good day.”

Sasha glared at him. “Is it doable, Pox?”

Pox grinned. “Yeah, it is. It might take a while to get the dosage right. It’ll take a bit of this, a bit of that. Most of the shit is illegal or off the market. When do you need it by?”

“Fifteen minutes. At max.”

Pox straightened and sputtered. “You’re out of your f*cking mind.” He shook his head in earnest. “No way. I can’t do it.”

I spoke up, “I know a man who deals in pharmaceuticals. The price will be high, but he can get everything you need.” I added, “They deliver.”

Pox turned to me slowly, blinked, and then glanced back at Sasha. “You are some scary motherf*ckers.” His voice was full of admiration.

I gave him the phone number and listened as Pox cursed at the absurd prices for the things he needed.

The delivery boy arrived in ten minutes. The concoction was made, dissolved, and slipped into the sixth shooter Paolo drank. The men sputtered and laughed as Paolo coughed before righting himself. Sasha smiled foxlike before calling over some of the girls.

The club turned into roaring chaos when Paolo, in the midst of getting a lap dance, suffered a heart attack. Sasha performed CPR until the ambulance arrived. Witnesses told the police that Sasha did everything he could to save Paolo.

Unfortunately, he didn’t make it.





Chapter Three

Mina



I didn’t have much of a plan.

Okay. So I didn’t have a plan at all.

After spending another fruitless night in my alley, my body was cold, chilled to the bone. I just wanted to go somewhere I’d be warm. Unfortunately, it was past midnight, and there weren’t a lot of options as far as I could see.

I could go into the convenience store for a while, but they would expect me to buy something, and seeing as I had no money and looked as though I had no money, they’d turn me on my ass before I could say boo.

There was the fast food restaurant with the bright red and yellow sign, but I didn’t think I could handle being engulfed in the smell of burgers and fries without bursting into tears for want.

I decided to turn and walk the opposite direction, when I noticed a group of men exit a building. They were laughing and looked happily drunk. Drunk was good. People did odd things when they were drinking.

My stomach rumbled loudly and my decision was made. I would find the tipsiest man in the club and seduce him. When he passed out, I’d take his wallet and be on my merry way. I could make a small amount of money go a long way if I had to.

I needed to eat. I felt ashamed that I would resort to low lengths to do that, but I was sick of being me. Mina was friendly, and honest, and kind. Being me got me nowhere. I was floating down shit creek without a paddle.

The white sign above the door read Bleeding Hearts in simple, elegant font. Steadying myself, I pushed open one side of the huge double doors and stepped inside.

A tall, bulked-up man with a crew cut and an impeccable suit looked down at me. He was not amused. “You lost?”

I shook my head before swallowing hard and muttering, “Just looking for somewhere to drink.”

That changed his attitude quick enough. He opened the second set of doors and loud RnB blasted into the foyer. “We don’t get a lot of ladies down here. The bar is to the right. Have a good night.”

I had been called a lot of things in my life, but never a lady. I suddenly felt regretful of my reason for being here. Regardless, I walked inside and felt immediate warmth. A shiver of delight caused my skin to break out in gooseflesh.

Finally!

I could’ve crowed with happiness, but I had more important things to think about. Before I made my way to the bar, I was drawn to the left.

Two women with gorgeous bodies swung around provocatively on poles, dressed in nothing but little scraps of material covering their privates. The blonde woman had glitter pasties stuck to her nipples. The redhead’s nipples were pierced.

Ah. I got it then.