“It’s too much risk.”
“But it’s worth it, isn’t it?”
The way she said it, she was searching for validation that she was worth it. But what she didn’t understand was the risk. He couldn’t put her life in danger when he had no ability to save her. And with her as a distraction, it would take twice as long to get where he needed to be.
If he was going to become a boss who could take on Yakov Morozov, he couldn’t have weaknesses.
“Goodbye, Luerna.” He clicked off and then blocked her number.
Levka leaned his head back against the car. His chest was caving in, and he could hardly breathe. But he only gave into it briefly before forcing himself to his feet. There wasn’t time to lose. He had a goal to reach and an empire to create.
Chapter eleven
Return
Luernakeptherhandin Rurik’s arm, holding a drink in the other. It was a beautiful night at the botanical gardens. Lights were strung along the tops of trees, and people walked together quietly, admiring the beauty surrounding them. They were at a gala for ‘Beautifying Russia,’ a fundraiser put on by the Utkins. They were a mafia family to the south that had been allies for the last fifteen years. Her sister, Nadia, was married into it, and she was over to the right, greeting guests as they came in. They looked enough alike to pass as twins, with long blond hair, big, beautiful blue eyes, and a confidence that couldn’t be smothered by any weak force. But they were far from similar. Nadia was happy.
And I’m far from it.
But tonight, Luerna wasn’t going to let it sting her. She was child-free. After having Irina two years ago, she was allowed to go on birth control, and Rurik and her were finally getting along again. They rarely had to spend time together, and that made it bearable.
Rurik guided her across the open area to Adrik and Katia. Her brother had come from Russia for a family visit, introducing his newborn baby. It was odd to see her brother as a father. He was twenty-four and still had so much growing up to do. But that’s perhaps a biased opinion. Adrik was the baby of the family, and Luerna had spent much of her childhood changing his diapers.
“Beautiful night,” she greeted her brother with a kiss on the cheek. His wife, Katia, was distant, never exposing more than she had to. Luerna understood her too well and didn’t fault her for it.
“I miss Russia,” Adrik revealed. “But America has its charms. The sun, for instance,” he joked. The weather had been particularly bad since he arrived, and the temperature had dropped to nearly fifty since sunset. Her fur shaw helped warm her shoulders but did nothing for her legs.
Rurik took a deep drink of his whiskey before he waved for a server to get him another. “The family is in good hands, I assure you. No need for these random visits.”
Adrik eyed him, taking a slow sip. “Does my presence upset you?”
Snapping his head straight, Rurik quickly rephrased his comment. “I mean, you must be busy in Florida. To break away couldn’t have been easy.”
Adrik let it go. “My father has everything under control. Returning home is always a pleasure.”
“Of course, of course.” Rurik darted his gaze around, flustered and trying to recover. Then he pointed. “The fucking wolves are out,” Rurik hissed and nudged his head. Ivan Borisyuk and his son Levka were greeted by their sister, Nadia. She acted nice enough but no Morozov enjoyed the presence of wolves after what Levka did years ago.
Luerna leaned back behind Rurik, using him to hide. Her heart pounded in her ears, and her knees were suddenly weak. Seeing Levka brought a wave of agony to her unhealed heart and she didn’t know how to fix it before anyone noticed. Three years they’ve gone without seeing each other once and he here was, with the audacity to show up with a girl on his arm.
Rage came easy and helped mitigate the pain. Luerna had gone to great lengths to put Levka out of her mind after his sudden abandonment. The bitter part of her was thankful for it. He almost made her believe he could actually love her. But he was mafia born. He didn’t know love any better than she did. He knew what he wanted and how to manipulate it to get it.
And he almost fucking got me.
The night Levka ended the phone call and blocked her, she almost walked out the front door to run to him. She would have left her children and everything she’d ever known just to show him how much he meant to her. It had taken great restraint to stay.
Then she decided to bide her time, to put money away, put some things in storage, and find a way to sneak herself and all four of her kids out of the house while Rurik went away on a business trip.
There hadn’t been doubt in her mind that she would have done it. She would have walked away from the Morozov line to be with Levka. She knew he was too scared of her family, but she didn’t blame him. They were powerful and an unstoppable force. She was scared of them herself. But she was willing to go.
And then, two days before she was going to leave, she was throwing up in the bathroom.
All hope died then. She couldn’t show up to Levka’s doorstep with another man’s baby in her belly. She was already asking for too much by bringing four kids with her. Depression hit hard, and she withered away in bed for months. She lost weight and nearly lost the baby. But thankfully, Rurik hired a nanny this time. He called her weak and a disgrace, but with sleep and rest, she kept her sanity this time around.
Luerna straightened her back as the emotions got locked away. She was proud of herself, and it helped raise her head.
“I thought my father took care of their family,” Adrik said.
“They’ve rebuilt,” Rurik answered. “They’ve partnered themselves with the Utkins, making it impossible for us to do anything about it. I have struggled with cooperating with the Utkins. They want too much for too little. Your father seems to think they are a harmless lot. But Fedor’s reaching for a crown, Adrik. I bet he’s coming for yours.”
