Nas pulled me into her, squealing in my ear and rocking me side-to-side. A chuckle caught in my throat, and then I laughed hard, clutching at her. Then something happened, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes.
My throat tight, I blinked them away.
Everything was going to be okay now. I felt it deep inside me.
Bleeding Hearts would live to a ripe old age.
As people left, others took their places. The club remained at full capacity all night long, and some time after eleven, I received guests. As soon as I saw them, I made my way around the bar, rushing over to my brother and hugging him around the middle before placing a kiss to Uncle Laredo’s cheek. “You came!”
Laredo smiled, wrapping his arm around me, pulling me to his side. “I couldn’t miss my niece’s big night.”
I reached for Alessio’s hand and squeezed. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Alessio looked down at me, pride evident in his eyes. “You did this?”
I scoffed, “No!” Then I looked around. “We all did this. It was a group effort. We all pitched in. Everyone had a job and they totally nailed it.”
“You did good, kid,” Alessio muttered, taking in the new establishment.
That was when Sasha came up behind me. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing here?”
My eyes wide, I spoke up but choked on my words. “I-I invited them.”
Sasha glared at me. “What the fuck for? They need to leave.”
I stood between my uncle and brother, glowering up at Sasha. “No, they aren’t going anywhere.”
Sasha’s jaw ticked before he took on a reasonable expression. “Listen, boys. You got your own club to run. You need to go.”
Alessio wrapped an arm around me. “No, we don’t. We closed for the night.”
Sasha looked from Alessio to Laredo. “It’s Friday night. One of the busiest nights of the week. Why the hell are you closed?”
My voice caught in my throat while my heart sank. Here goes nothing. “Because I asked them to.”
Sasha’s confused look had not wavered.
I shrugged and explained myself. “We needed people to get in the doors tonight. It was important, Sash. I don’t want to lose this place. None of us do. So I asked them to close for the night,” I swallowed hard, “to give us a fighting chance.”
Sasha’s expression cleared. His brow furrowed before he looked to Laredo, his voice low. “Why would you do that? You don’t owe us anything.”
Laredo nodded. “I know. But when Mina told me about what you had planned, I found myself curious.” He shrugged. “Winning is no fun when there aren’t any worthy competitors around.”
Alessio agreed with a less than friendly smile thrown in Sasha’s direction. “Yeah. It’s no fun takin’ shit from a man who’s got nothin’.” He added, “I’m waitin’ for you to get so high up that you’ll break somethin’ when you fall. You get me, Leokov?”
Sasha stared at him, not blinking before he barked out a harsh laugh. “Fuck you, prick.” Then he did something ballsy.
He held out his hand to Alessio.
And my heart skipped a beat.
Alessio glared at that hand a long while before reaching out slowly, taking Sasha’s hand and shaking it firmly. “Nice place you got here.”
Sasha smirked. “I know.”
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.