Lev looked to me. “She won’t fuck up. She has too much to lose.”
I wanted to protest. I wanted to explain that a person with nothing had nothing left to lose. But I kept quiet. This conversation was about me, not including me. Clearly.
It was then Sasha spoke directly to me. “I think you’ve already gathered that my name is Sasha. And although Lev is in charge of the floor at Bleeding Hearts, I’m the boss.” Picking up a fork, he pointed it at me. “There is no ‘three strikes and you’re gone’ bullshit, little one. One fuck up, and you’re gone. No second chances.”
I didn’t respond, simply because I didn’t want to tell him to take that fork and shove it up his ass. But at the continued silence, I realized a response was necessary. “I understand.”
Sasha smiled then, and I got a glimpse of how handsome he was. “I’m glad. Welcome to the team.”
He and Lev looked similar, only Lev was slightly taller, but Sasha was more muscular. Both had dark brown hair, styled neatly. Both had hard eyes the color of cognac. Both had generous lips, and both wore a suit rather well.
Sasha ignored me from then out. He did, however, speak to Lev. “I need you today. Can you spare some time after lunch?”
Lev ate another grape and my mouth watered. “Yes. Have you given any more thought to the first aid course I put forward?”
I hadn’t eaten fresh fruit in a long while. I wanted to sample the sweet juice to see if it tasted as I remembered.
Sasha responded, “Yeah. We’ll go ahead with it. All the security and bar staff will take it. As the roster rotates, they can pick a day off of their choosing to attend, and they’ll be reimbursed for their time.” He paused. “And Lev? Feed your fucking pet before she expires.”
Glaring at Sasha, I ran to Lev’s defense. “I’m not even hungry.”
Just as I finished saying this, my stomach gave an excruciatingly whale-like growl. And it went on for what seemed like days.
I turned to Lev, cheeks heating in embarrassment. “I’m okay, really.”
But he was frowning down at me, looking mildly ashamed of himself. He leaned toward me and spoke for my ears only. “I’m sorry.”
I whispered back, “Don’t apologize. You’ve been so generous, Lev.” I reached over to squeeze his arm. “I can’t thank you enough.”
His brow low, he muttered quietly, “I wish you would’ve told me you were hungry. I’m not very good at reading people, Mina.”
How had the situation reversed so quickly? Why was I the one left feeling like I’d done something wrong?
At the sorry state of him, I apologized. He was obviously embarrassed. “I’m sorry. It’s just that you’ve been so nice to me and I didn’t want to seem like I was being ungrateful. The next time I’m hungry, I’ll tell you. I promise.”
He nodded as a plump, grey-haired older woman with glasses dressed all in black walked into the room holding a plate of eggs and bacon with sautéed mushrooms. It smelled incredible. She set it down in front of Sasha then smiled up at Lev. “Morning, Mr. Leokov. What’s this morning’s fare?”
Lev’s lip tilted up at one side. “Good morning, Ada. I’ll have oatmeal, please. And Mina will have…” All three of them looked at me. Lev waited patiently while Ada smiled encouragingly. Sasha watched me with a hawk’s eye.
“Oh,” I started, uncomfortable with the attention. “I’m not fussy. Anything will do, really.”
Ada clucked. “Anything is not a food, honey.” She smiled. “I can do eggs and bacon, pancakes, toast, waffles, oatmeal or cereal, or I have some freshly baked blueberry muffins. What’s your poison?”
I smiled at the kind woman. “Eggs and bacon sounds great.” I was already salivating at the look of Sasha’s plate.
“Scrambled?”
I nodded. “Sure.”
She winked. “Be back in a jiffy.”
I was not shocked easily, but what happened next stunned the speech out of me. Sasha stood with his plate, walked around the table, and placed it in front of me. He walked back to his seat, sat back down, and he did this all without a spoken word.
I blinked down at the plate for a moment before I looked up at him. He stared, his gaze cutting, and I wondered if this man was as hard as he wanted people to believe he was.
“Thank you,” I said softly, sincerely.
He broke eye contact, lifted his paper high enough to block me from his view, and continued reading. “You’re welcome.”
I ate slowly, savoring every bite of the fluffy scrambled eggs, the tender, garlic-garnished mushrooms, and crispy bacon. It was perfect, and I secretly wanted to leave my seat, walk into the kitchen, and hug Ada half to death.
Lev watched me eat. He did it so obviously that without even turning my head to catch him in the act, I felt it.
I lifted another forkful of eggs to my mouth before I heard a door open. A woman called out, “I’m home!”
The food suddenly felt heavy in my stomach. Women did not like me. They found whatever issue they could with me, and I never really understood it. I always tried to be nice to everyone.
A tall, stunning brunette with long wavy hair, a wide mouth, and gleaming white teeth stepped inside the dining room pushing a stroller with an adorable little girl in it. She was dressed in jeans, heels, and a caramel-colored sweater. Her light brown eyes immediately lit on me. Her smile fell. “Sorry. I didn’t realize we’d be having company.”
Stepping forward, she leaned down to kiss Lev’s cheek and uttered, “Brother mine.” She turned and did the same to Sasha. They accepted her kisses graciously. She didn’t need to mention the fact that Lev and Sasha were her brothers. Anyone could see they were closely related.
She walked to the farthest seat, pulling the stroller up close to her, unbuckling the young girl, and lifting her out. “I’m Nastasia,” she uttered distractedly.
Lev responded for me as I chewed. “This is Mina, the new bargirl.” Then he did something unbelievable.
He smiled.
It was wide, and shining, and perfect. His teeth were white and perfectly straight. He had a single perfect dimple cut into his cheek, and his face was perfectly transformed with it.
My God.
My heart stuttered as I realized just how handsome Lev was. I mean, he was attractive before, but now he was incredible. Delicious.
The woman, spying Lev’s smile, handed the little girl to him, and again, I was surprised when he took her without complaint, sitting her onto his lap and hugging her gently before kissing the top of her head.
Nastasia looked back at me, her smile fading rapidly. She regarded me much as Sasha had. She was unsure of me. And I didn’t blame her one bit.
Her little girl was gorgeous though. She had the family’s light brown eyes and dark hair, but unlike the rest of the people sitting at the table, her hair curled into sweet, bouncy ringlets and was currently styled into high pigtails. It was hard to watch her and not smile. She was adorably chubby, and her lashes were so long that she looked like a porcelain doll.
Nastasia’s stare became borderline painful. I needed to do something and quick.
Standing, I walked over and stopped a foot away from her. She looked up at me, and a single brow rose. I stuck my hand out. “Sorry, I had a mouthful of eggs. I wasn’t trying to be rude. I’m Mina.”
Her eyes narrowed at my hand and, eventually, she took it, shaking it slowly. “Call me Nas. Everyone does.”
She released my hand and I took my seat, picking up my fork. I glanced at Nas, who watched her brother and daughter with a tender look on her face. I couldn’t help but smile at the woman. “She’s beautiful.”
“I know.” Nas smiled softly. “So does she.”
Sasha stood, walking over to Lev. “Give me my girl.”
Lev handed her over, and Sasha kissed her cheek lovingly, speaking softly into her little ear as she snatched up his decorative handkerchief and shoved it into her mouth. I sat there, suddenly confused.
Whose child was this?
Ada brought out another plate of eggs and, spotting the plate in front of me, she smiled at Sasha, replacing the plate he’d given me. As she passed Nas, she leaned down and kissed her head before placing the oatmeal in front of Lev. She was walking out the door before she asked Nas, “You want something, honey?”