Alessio grinned and it pulled his scars tight. “God, you’re a fucking asshole.”

Sasha smirked harder. “I know.”

Oh, my stars. Had my selfish actions just mended the rift caused by years of hatred?

I watched Sasha release Alessio’s hand and hold out the same hand to Laredo. The older man smiled gently as he took it in his and shook it lightly.

Um, yeah. My small smile widened. I think they did.

Chapter Forty-Five

Mina

It was a week after opening night, and news of the new burlesque act in town had tongues wagging. Our social media page had well over ten thousand followers in that single week, and although it saddened us all, Sasha had wisely made the decision to no longer open every night. Now, Bleeding Hearts was a strictly weekend establishment, opening Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.

This gave the girls time to practice during the week and learn new routines without the pressure of rehearsing and working on the same day.

Rumors of the girls’ beauty spread fast, and soon The Diamond Dozen were the hottest girls in town. Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse. Our audience had indeed doubled, tripled even.

Sasha revealed that in our opening weekend, we had earned more than what we normally made in an entire week, and that was including all the free drinks we had given away with flyers.

The relief in the room was palpable. Shoulders slumped and people sighed out loud, others laughing happily. Lev pulled me into his side and I gripped his shirt tight, smiling into his chest.

Everything was working out. It was unbelievable. Miraculous, even.

The following Monday came quickly, and when the front gate bell went off as I passed the kitchen, I stared into the small CCTV, watching the car window open. She lowered her sunglasses, looking directly into the camera, and without a second thought, I buzzed her in.

I waited uneasily for the doorbell to chime, and as soon as it did, I threw it open.

The petite blonde in the long maxi-dress removed her glasses then smiled gently. “Hey, Mina.”

“Cora,” I greeted softly. “What are you doing here?”

She dipped her chin, sighing quietly. Then she blinked at me a long moment. “Can I come in?”

I thought about it. I probably shouldn’t have let her in, but something about this girl screamed ‘safe.’ I nodded, moving back to allow her room to pass. She stepped in and smiled once more, but it was tired. “Thanks.”

She moved into the living room and waited for me to enter before she sat on the sofa beside me. “Is Lev home?”

I checked the clock on the wall. He was still working out. “He should be home any minute now.”

“Okay.” She swallowed hard. “Do you mind if I wait until he gets here?”

“Not at all.” I stood. “What are you having? Coffee? Juice?”

She smiled then sighed. “Coffee would be great, thanks.”

I stood, went into the kitchen, and then returned with two mugs of coffee, both black. “I didn’t know how you took it,” I told her as I handed her the mug.

“Black is perfect.” She sipped at her coffee then asked, “How are things?”

My lip twitched at her attempt at small talk. “Things are good.” My smile faded. “How are you doing?” I reached over to place my hand on her knee. “I’m so sorry about Irina.”

Cora shrugged. “Thanks. I’m getting there, you know? Mom called me. She asked me to fly out and pack up Irina’s house, so…yeah…that was…” Her breathing hitched. “…painful.” She looked into her coffee, tapping a fingernail on the ceramic of the mug. “Irina wasn’t like me. She let my dad dictate her life. I never did. I told my parents I didn’t owe them anything. That was why I moved out when I was eighteen.”

She smiled. “I don’t know if you know this, but I lived with Nastasia for two years before it all turned sour, which was totally my fault. But Irina was the golden child, you know? I was the black sheep.” She frowned and muttered, “And look at where it got her.” Her eyes shut tight and she admitted on a whisper, “I hate my dad. I hate him so much, Mina.”

I didn’t know what else to say apart from, “I’m sorry.”

When she laid her hand on mine and squeezed, my heart ached for her. “Thanks for letting me in today.”

I checked the clock again. “Lev will be home any minute now.”

She smiled, but it was forced. “I just hope he doesn’t kick me out.”

I wouldn’t let him. Corinna Alkaev may have said things she didn’t mean to old friends, but she didn’t deserve to be punished for them forever. I would make Lev listen. I didn’t know how, but I would.

We made polite small talk for the next five minutes before the back door opened, and Cora stiffened. Lev walked into the living area and took one look at our guest before he stilled. He looked down at me, a questioning expression on his face, and I smiled encouragingly. He blinked at me, and then recovered quickly, making his way into the room. “Corinna,” he uttered.

She smiled up at him, but it shook. “Hey, Lev.”

He was sweaty and red in the face, but he sat by me in his workout gear and asked calmly, “To what do I owe the pleasure? Have your parents sent you? Because I told them—”

She shook her head and spoke, cutting him off. “No, they haven’t sent me.” She nearly rolled her eyes. “Since when do I do their bidding anyway?” She quieted her voice. “I haven’t spoken to them since after Irina died, and don’t plan on speaking to them again until they can admit they screwed up.”

Lev seemed mildly stunned by what she had said. “Then why are you here?”

She took a deep, quivering breath before she laughed lightly and shrugged, placing her hands in her lap. She whispered a pained, “I miss my niece.”

From the way Lev went rigid beside me, I knew he did not like that statement. It was so open. He didn’t like not knowing exactly what a person meant. I needed to intervene.

“You want time with Lidi then?” I asked her gently.

“I just want to see her again. I don’t care how. You name the time and place. I just—” She looked to Lev, imploring, “I know you hated Irina, but she wasn’t always a hardass. And Lidiya is all I have left of my sister.” Lev’s jaw ticked. She sighed, dipping her chin. “I know you don’t trust me, and that’s fair, but I will do anything you want. I just want some time with Lidi.”

The front door opened, and Nas walked in. “Yo, shorty!”

“In here,” I called, suddenly anxious about Cora’s presence.

Nas went to walk into the living room and fell short a step, looking directly at her ex-best friend. Cora stood and swallowed hard. “Hey.”

Nas looked the woman up and down before entering the room and speaking slowly. “Hey, yourself.”

Cora’s bottom lip began to tremble and her eyes filled with tears. When she dipped her chin, her tears falling to the ground, Nas moved, and what she did surprised me. She placed her arms around Cora just as a sob escaped her. Nas held her tightly, whispering, “I’m sorry.”

Cora clutched to her like a lifeline and let out a broken, “No, I’m sorry. The things I said to you…”

Nas shook her head, squeezing gently. “Forgotten.”

The two women embraced for a little while, and when they separated, Nas sat next to Cora, taking her hand and holding it in hers. Something told me that no matter how strong Corinna Alkaev thought she was, she had reached her breaking point.

Nas looked at me. “So, what are we talking about?”

Lev responded, “Corinna wants to see Lidiya.” He paused a moment before he said, “And I am considering it.”

The look of relief on Cora’s face was evident, but she masked it with excitement. “Really? Because I don’t even care if we stay here the whole time. I could have a picnic with her in the front yard and stay out of your hair. I promise not to get in your way or anything.”