Lev (Shot Callers 1)

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.”

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.”