I spoke for her. “They get the shit beat out of them. By Lev.”

Vik scoffed. “Well, of course it sounds bad when you say it like that.”

Ah, Vik. I couldn’t help but smile at him.

I spoke softly, “Well, that explains things. I still don’t know how I feel about it, but now I know.”

Nas eyed me. “Let me ask you something, Mina. Does Lev doing this affect how he treats you?”

No. It didn’t.

I shook my head.

She had another question. “Do you really want to know every time he thrashes someone? ‘Cause I don’t. Vik and I, we don’t talk about it. Or are you just sore that you found out by accident?”

I was sore about how I found out. It was all Anika’s fault.

Nas added, “Yes, he roughs those losers up, but those idiots know exactly what they’re getting into when they make a deal with Sasha. They’re not so innocent, you know. There’s a reason they can’t go through legal channels to get the money.”

I understood this. It didn’t make it any better though.

I shrugged.

Her hand came down on mine and squeezed. “Do yourself a favor. Put it out of your head. It’ll cause problems where there are none.” She stressed, “It’s a job, Mina. Just a job. Think about it as debt collecting.”

Vik nodded in agreement then uttered, “You can judge, Mina, but remember,” his eyes softened, “Lev didn’t judge you when he busted you stealing his brother’s wallet. He gave you a job, a place to live, and fed and clothed you when you had nothing.”

That statement hurt so much, because it was true. Lev didn’t judge me. Sure, he didn’t trust me at first, but he didn’t judge me. He was there for me when I was alone, without a friend in the world. And here I was questioning him.

My heart sank. I was a terrible person.

Vik went on gently, “This is the life we were dealt. It’s all we know. We might not be churchgoing, god-fearing men, but we’re not bad people, babe.”

He was right. Who was I to judge what was normal?

I was angry with myself. Lev was a sweet man. He was kind to me in a time when I did not deserve it. My mind made up, I went against what I had been taught about all that was good in the world. As far as I was concerned, I never saw what Anika planned for me to see.

It was not important.

It was long forgotten.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Mina

“Sunday Funday?” I bunched my nose with a small smile. “Do I even want to ask?”

Nas chuckled as we walked into the mall, Vik rushing up behind us and putting a protective arm around both of our waists. He grinned, biting the tip of his tongue. “It’s really just an excuse so we can see our women in swimsuits.”

It was warm and all, but it wasn’t beach weather. “And where is this funday held?”

Nas threw me an apologetic smile. “Sasha’s. He’s got a heated pool ‘round back.”

Oh, fuck that. I wasn’t interested. “Well, you all have fun at your funday then.”

Nas groaned, extracting herself from Vik’s arm to walk next to me. Putting her head on my shoulder, she whined, “Mina. Come on. I know you guys have issues and all—”

I snorted. “He tried to bribe me to stay away from Lev!”

Her brows rose and she pinched my arm lightly. “In an attempt to weasel out a gold digger, which, by the way, did not work, so you’re all good. You passed his test!” She waved an imaginary flag and let out a weak and poor attempt at a cheer. “Hooray.”

I stopped walking and turned, staring her down. She shriveled under my firm look.

She was lucky I loved her.

Vik pushed into the middle of us, wrapping his arms around us. “Ladies, ladies. You don’t need to fight over me. There’s enough Vik to go around. Now,” he spoke matter-of-factly, “these swimsuits aren’t going to try themselves on.”

I peeked past him over at Nas. “Why is he here?”

She rolled her eyes. “He heard ‘swimsuits’ and insisted he come to,” she did air quotations, “ ‘protect us.’ ”

“I see.” I eyed Vik, looking him up and down.

He grinned hard, blowing me a kiss. I turned my head to the side and bit his chest. He jumped back, holding his nipple and glaring at me. “Ow. That hurt. You’re physical acts of violence are harming the love I have for you.” He moved to lift his tee up over his nipple and stepped closer to me. “Now kiss it better.”

I burst into laughter and ran away from him, hiding behind Nas. She rolled her eyes at the two of us, but she did it smiling. My friends were kind of awesome.

I hooked my arm through hers. “Okay, I’ll come, but if Sasha so much as looks at me dickishly, I’m leaving.”

“Whatever,” Nas muttered under her breath. “You guys are going to have to get over it. Both of you. Sasha loves Lev. You love Lev. You both need to cool down and get along.”

I was immediately defensive. “It’s not my fault. I could easily get over it and I would, for Lev, but Sasha won’t let me. Every opportunity he has, he says something nasty or gives me that freakin’ look, like I’m lower than him, like I’m scum. For some reason, I don’t think you’d let that fly if it were you, Nas.”

She agreed, “No, I wouldn’t. I’d call him out on it.”

“Oh, yeah. He’d love me for that,” I mumbled.

“No, he wouldn’t,” she paused a moment, “but he might respect you for it. We’re a funny people, Mina.”

We walked into a lingerie store and headed straight for the swimwear. As we were walking, Vik called out to us, holding a clothes hanger. “I think you’d look great in this, Mina.”

I blinked down at the hanger. “There’s nothing on it.”

He smirked. “I know.”

Nas groaned painfully at the stupid joke. When I picked up a folded towel and threw it at him, he burst into laughter. Nas shook her head. “I don’t even know why I waste my time with you.”

Vik sauntered over to her slowly, as if he were on the prowl. “Because I’m the best you’ve ever had.” He dipped his head to kiss her lips, nipping them gently. He spoke quieter, “And because you love me.”

Nas closed her eyes and slumped into him, kissing him back with all that she had. The display was so brash, so hot, that I had to turn around to hide my blush. They looked good together.

I looked at some of the bikinis when, from behind me, came, “I think you’re better off going for a one piece, darlin’.” I spun around to see a young woman around my height, perhaps a smidge taller, with long blonde hair and bright pink lips smiling at me.

She didn’t work at the store. She seemed to be browsing.

I cocked a brow. “You think?”

Her blue eyes popped. “Oh, I know. Look, we short women need to stick together, and I’m being honest here…we look like children when we wear bikinis.”

She was kind of funny. I chuckled. “Yeah, I guess so.”

Without permission, she took my arm and led me to the rack behind. “This here is the petite section. There are some sexy one-pieces you can try, or even a tank/bikini bottom combo. Maybe a sarong or kaftan.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I get so caught up.” She put her hand out. “I’m Cora.”

“Mina,” I said as I took her hand. “Nice to meet you.” I admitted, “I’m grateful for the help. I’m not much of a fashionista.”

Nas approached from behind. “Those are hot,” she said, keeping a close eye on my new friend.

I made introductions. “Nas, this is Cora.”

Nas stared, unblinking at the girl, and spoke in deathly calm. “I know who she is.”

Cora was no longer sweet, not to Nas anyway, and her lip curled unkindly. “Just helping out.”

“Corinna.” Nas stepped forward. “You’re not following us, are you?” She looked down her nose at the woman. “You know I don’t have issues with beating your ass into the ground. And on that note,” Nas smiled cruelly, “I see your nose healed fine.”