Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I removed myself from Vik and quietly made my way over to Lev, lifting my hand, palm out, and communicating with him in complete silence.

He looked down at my hand then up into my eyes. The sharp edges of his face softened and he took it without a word, holding it tightly. The gesture said so much more than words could have. I would be his rock when his reason floated away. And he would be the person I needed to remind me that I was no longer alone in the world. A perfectly imperfect friendship had somehow formed, and losing Lev was not an option.

He found me, and whether he knew it or not, I was his, in a way.

You know what they say…

Finders keepers.

The club was not very busy for a Friday night.

It was unusual since Fridays had been a major moneymaker in the past, according to Lev. Men who were finished with the work week came to Bleeding Hearts to unwind, drink in good company, and treat themselves to a private dance or four.

Lev and I sat in the far corner on the left side of the stage. It was the perfect place to watch the room with a view of everything and everyone.

I watched in curiosity as Lev pulled something out of his pocket and showed me an earpiece before he put it on. He spoke into it, “Cam, you ready?”

From the right-hand side of the stage, a young man in a suit raised his hand to show Lev he could hear him.

Lev sat back, turned to me, and stated, “Tonight will be a good night.”

Was he trying to reassure me? I was convinced that the safest seat in the house was sitting next to the hot guy in the suit, giving orders over an earpiece. I didn’t need reassurance.

The girls took to the stage. First, Lana, doing a pole routine, then ChaCha with her slow striptease, then Birdie came by with a glass of soda and a hug for me, telling me she’d been so worried about me.

A feeling of warmth bloomed inside of me. Yes, I was sitting in a gentleman’s club, watching women take their clothes off for cash, knowing the man by my side would hurt anyone who looked at me funny, but I had never felt more at home in a place apart from my family home, when I lived with my mother.

Lev spotted a man sitting on his own, looking forlorn. He spoke into the earpiece. “Cam. Table twelve. Send him a whiskey neat on the house.”

My brow rose. “He looks pretty down. You sure you want to liquor him up some more?”

Lev kept his eye on the floor, but tilted his head toward me. “Free anything makes people happy. Watch.”

Sure enough, the man watched as Anika smiled seductively, placing the drink on his table and leaning down to whisper something in his ear. The lonely man smiled immediately.

Impressed, I asked, “What is she saying to him?”

“That we appreciate his business and loyalty.”

I nodded. “Right. Okay. You clearly know your shit. I bow down to you, oh great one.”

His eyes smiled in that way I loved, and I almost slid down the front of my chair, sighing dreamily.

I asked Lev if he wanted his drink topped off. He said no. I didn’t think he realized I wanted to go visit Nas behind the bar. I kept hinting, saying how thirsty I was. He kept frowning, telling me to signal Anika.

There was no being inconspicuous with Lev. It was all or nothing. I finally blurted out, “I really want to talk to Nas.”

His brow furrowed. “Why didn’t you just say so?”

“Because I’m grounded,” I muttered and slumped lower into my chair.

He snuffled, and I liked to believe it was Lev’s version of a laugh. He nodded to the bar. “I can still see you from there. Stay in sight.”

I perked up, leaning over my chair and showing my enthusiasm. “Really, Pop? No foolin’?”

“Go,” he murmured in a bored manner, but his eyes were laughing.

“Neat-o!” I cheered as I rushed over to the bar. I wanted to fuck with Nas. I’d been planning it for days. Tonight’s episode with Vik fit in perfectly with my devious plan.

Strolling up to the bar, I sat in the hidden corner and waited. When she approached, she mumbled, “What a shit night. Not even worth having full staff for this measly crowd.”

“Yeah, I know.” I got right into it. “So, what can you tell me about Vik?”

She turned to me, her eyes narrowed. “Why do you want to know about Vik?”

“I don’t know.” I purposefully acted aloof. “He’s hot, no doubt.” Then I planted the bomb. “And there was that thing tonight. I don’t know, but I think we’ve got a bit of chemistry going on.” I leaned forward and grinned. “I think he’s into me.”

I wanted to burst into laughter at the way Nas’ face turned bright red. She gritted her teeth and spoke through them, “He’s not all he’s cracked up to be, Mina.”

I shrugged. “Who am I to judge?” I pointed to myself. “Homeless girl…hello!”

Her nostrils flared. “He’s not your type.”

“Who’s to say what’s my type? Besides, we don’t need to be each other’s type to scratch an itch.” I used my elbow to nudge her and finished off with a lewd wink. “Know what I mean?”

That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Nas planted her palms on the bar, leaned forward, and snapped, “You stay away from Viktor!”

My mission complete, I quickly got out of character, threw my head back, and hooted with laughter. Nas stared at me, confused for a second before she caught on.

Looking mildly pissed off with herself, she shook her head slowly. “Who told you?”

I smiled victoriously. “It doesn’t matter who told me. The question is, why didn’t you tell me?”

Her face fell. She looked sad. “It’s complicated, Mina.”

“Complicated in the the-guy-I-love-sleeps-with-other-women way? Or complicated in the the-guy-I-love-has-issues-with-commitment way?”

“Neither,” she hushed, her eyes shining. “In the the-guy-I-love-doesn’t-love-me-back kind of way.”

My smile fell. That sucked.

“That sucks,” I told her, my heartbreak apparent.

She smiled sadly. “That’s life, my dear.”

Chapter Nineteen

Mina

Saturday morning brought a shock to us all.

Lidiya was summoned back to her mother, Irina. What was surprising about it was that Lev let her go.

I didn’t want her to leave. The thought of her staying with a horrible woman who didn’t even want her drove me crazy. It quickly hit me that if this was the way I, an outsider, was feeling, Lev must have already crossed the border of Crazytown. He hid his sadness so well, but I didn’t miss the way he snapped at Sasha when his brother suggested moving Irina close by so Lidiya would at least live in the same state.

The awful woman had already booked flights for Mirella and Lidiya leaving just after midday, and her warning had been that if the two of them weren’t at arrivals at the designated time, she would be catching the next flight down and raising hell at the club.

Frankly, I thought the woman was full of shit, and I aired that view. Nas sent me a look advising me that her threat would likely be seen through. I was stunned. Who was this woman that she had the Leokov family becoming yes men?

As I sat cross-legged on the floor of the living room, Lidiya made a home in my lap, playing with little Mina, unaware that she was about to be thrust away from us in a most rude way. The arm I held her with tightened around her. I found myself mighty protective of this little peanut.

I watched in silence as Mirella’s face fell a degree. She covered it quickly, standing and heading over to Lidiya’s room to pack their things.

“No,” I muttered angrily. I turned to Lev, hugging Lidiya with everything I had. “You’re just going to sit down and let that bitch take her away from us?”

He looked as if he’d aged ten years in ten minutes. He looked haggard and worn. He spoke calmly, “What would you have me do, Mina?”