Saying sorry was one of the hardest things to say to a person, and Lev had done it in such a sincere manner that my anger ebbed away. Mostly. “I suppose you’re going to go around telling everyone that I’m a homeless thief?”

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.”

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 fuck 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.