Rurik Morozov was at the front of the room, surrounded by powerful men, including Yakov Morozov. Rurik was fifty years old with a full head of gray hair and beard. He was thick-boned, but not overweight. Levka doubted he was in any shape with the way he drank. This was the kind of man wasted on a woman like Luerna.
The Morozov sons stood at the bar already on their third shot. They had all gone to the same middle school, and fun, childish memories ran through his head. Alexei and him easily connected back then. They shared the same mentality about working out instead of chasing girls like Adrik and Gil. But as Yakov’s power increased, so did his enemies, so they were taken out in eighth grade and sent to a prestigious private school. It was what prompted his father to send him to an institution in Saint Petersburg.
Being back, Alexei treated him like he never left. The heir to the family greeted him with a hand on his shoulder, making room for him in their small circle. “You guys know Levka.”
Adrik had a harsh gaze, never smiling. “A fucking wolf. What a waste.” He took a shot of vodka, slapped it on the table then pushed by him. Gil, Adrik’s shadow, followed after.
Alexei handed Levka a drink. “Adrik thinks being an asshole gets him more girls. He’s not wrong.”
Levka cackled and took a sip. The vodka burned his throat. He’s been drinking since he was twelve, but he never liked the taste of vodka. Not that he could ever admit that and claim to be Russian.
Levka sat and glanced around, pathetically searching. Despite how hard he told himself not to, he did it anyway. He was looking for Luerna. He just wanted to see her, and then he’d forget about her and go back to pretending she didn’t exist.
“I can’t believe you’re gonna marry my sister.”
“I’m not marrying Kira. I fucking refuse.” Levka winced when he realized who he just said that too.
Thankfully and oddly enough, Alexei laughed. “That sucks. Kira’s actually happy about it.”
“She is?” That was a surprise. Levka dropped his head. He knew they didn’t have much choice, and he should dive into a marriage with all the excitement one could have. But he couldn’t even pretend.
“Why don’t you?”
Levka shook his head. Talking to Alexei wasn’t ideal. Who knew what he would say to his father? “Just want to fuck around. I’m nineteen. I don’t want to be tied down.”
“Yeah, I get it. I’m fighting my own shit with my father. He wants me to marry, too.” Alexei’s knuckles tightened around his glass, and Levka watched him out of the corner of his eye. Levka could only fathom how controlling Yakov was to his sons. He found himself grateful for how loving his father was, and maybe the silent treatment didn’t have to continue.
“I think,” Alexei took a sip of his drink and swallowed. “That if he tried to make me marry, I’d fuck it up somehow.”
The subtle suggestion didn’t go unnoticed, and Levka was very curious about what he meant. “How?”
He shrugged. “Piss off the family. Make my father not want to partner with them.”
Levka rolled the idea around in his head for a bit. If he screwed up the deal with Yakov, it could ruin his family. He was selfish, but he wasn’t stupid. But what was the alternative? Marrying Kira while he was in love with her sister? He may already have no chance of ever being with Luerna, but if he became part of the family, it would destroy any possibility, even the outrageous, dumb, ridiculous possibilities.
“Kira!” Alexei waved, and Levka nervously shifted in his seat. Kira wore a dark purple gown that was fit for a witch’s ball. She stood out in a room full of white, silver, and gold. Like all Morozov women, she was beautiful and perhaps the only one who didn’t care what people thought. It was refreshing to see a woman who wasn’t anorexic. Kira smiled, and it lit up her face. She was older than him by three years, but she still had that childish bubbly personality that Luerna lacked.
He stood as she approached, taking her brother’s arm. “Hi, Levka.”
It’s the first time they actually spoke to each other since he left for boarding school. It was clear she had grown up in his absence, but her oddity still shined through. “Miss Morozov.”
“Call me Kira. You look nice.”
The formalities were killing him. He hated this game of pleasantry, but with her brother beside her, he kept up with the game. “You look gorgeous. How have you been?”
“I’m finishing up my college courses. I’m third in my class.”
“Wow. What’s your degree in?”
“Law. My father wanted more lawyers in the family for some reason.”
He smiled at her subtle joke.
“Are you planning to go to college?”
Levka stuttered with a response. He hadn’t told his father yet that he didn’t want to pursue any higher education. He was sure that conversation wasn’t going to go well.
“Kira,” Adrik interrupted, unapologetic. “Father wants you.” With a hand on her bicep, he led her away.
