Lev (Shot Callers 1)

As predicted, Lev was downstairs in the kitchen, holding Lidiya. Only this time, when I stepped inside and she held her little hands out to me, I moved closer, took her from Lev, and cuddled her tightly. “Hey there, sweetie pie,” I cooed, pressing my cheek to the top of her head, breathing in her sweet scent. I closed my eyes, taking in her warmth. “My goodness, you’re a big girl.”

Lev, who stood by, not an inch of concern from him watching me with his daughter, took a step closer. “Here, I’ll take her. I know she’s a little heavy.”

But I held her close. “Heavy? She’s adorably chubby, is what she is.” Lidiya sucked her thumb, leaning her head on my shoulder. A wave of mushiness took over. “Oh, you are winning major points with me, little miss. You’ve got me wrapped around your little finger.”

Every morning, when Lev disappeared to work out, I rose and spent some time with Mirella and Lidiya. We’d gone on walks around the complex together, played blocks and dolls together, had exclusive tea parties, and on the rare occasion, I even let Lidiya feed me.

A smiling Mirella told me I’d spoil her if I kept treating her like a princess. I responded that little girls shouldn’t be treated as anything but princesses. Something told me I’d officially won over the older woman with that remark, but it didn’t matter to me. It was how I truly felt.

The back door opened and Viktor came inside, followed by Anika and Nas. I was likely the only person who saw the flash of Anika’s eyes. We greeted each other, and the newcomers all doted on Lidiya, as per usual.

When Anika came forward and extended her arms to Lidiya, the little girl turned her head into my neck and held onto me. I saw the disappointment in the beautiful redhead’s eyes, and giddiness rushed through me. But shame followed.

She was visibly upset, after all.

I tried to make a joke of it. “She probably thinks we’re around the same age, being I’m the closest in height to her.”

Anika blinked, smiling at me. But there was no warmth in that smile. I got the feeling that she thought I was overstepping in a big way.

Mirella came down after her shower and pried Lidiya from me, but the little girl didn’t want to let go. After she started to fuss, I offered to put her to bed for the second time that week. Mirella was evidently grateful. She clearly didn’t want to put Lidiya to bed in a state of distress. I didn’t blame her.

I made it up the stairs as Lidiya started to doze. Mirella silently reached for her and I handed the chubby princess over. I waved silently, and Mirella returned it. I headed downstairs and entered the kitchen just as Anika commented, “So Mina’s here a lot.”

Neither Lev nor Nas felt the need to explain, and neither did I, quite frankly. Rather than telling her she was being obvious in a hideous way, I smiled. “Who’s ready to make tonight their bitch? I am. Let’s go.”

Playing host was interesting.

Nas was right about the flirting. The bachelor boys couldn’t have been more generous. I’d screwed up a couple of times, but had the grace to laugh at myself. My excuse for the order mix-ups being, “Well, if you guys weren’t so handsome, a girl could work without distraction, you know?”

With common excuses like that, my charming party upped the tips at an alarming rate, leaving more for me than what they’d actually spent on drinks.

My cheeks hurt from smiling so much, but it was worth it when I learned that I’d earned a little more than $400 in tips.

Lev kept a close eye on me, getting up to check on me every now and again. I wondered what he actually did here at the club. From the looks of things, all he did was watch the show every night.

After one of the boys had grabbed my wrist and pulled me close, I panicked. But when I reminded myself that they’d had a lot to drink and getting grabby came with the territory, I pasted another wide smile on my face, leaned in close, and listened to the array of compliments the man wanted me to hear. After he was heard, he let go of me and relief went through me. I blinked up at him through lowered lashes, walked backward, and blew the man a kiss.

I don’t know why I was so against this. This flirting stuff was easy. I had it down.

Walking backward, I walked straight into a wall. I looked up to see that wall glaring at the man who wanted to tell me how beautiful I was. I turned and smiled up at him. “I’m killing it!”