“Your father won’t allow it.”
“He doesn’t have to know.”
All the rage in Levka paused as he sat there and stared at Adrik. He couldn’t understand the reasoning. Where was the deception? “Why?”
Adrik shrugged. “Does it matter?”
“Yes. With you Morozovs, it always matters.”
Adrik simply smirked and remained silent.
“I have plans that don’t involve you or the Stephanovs, I just need time, and I don’t fucking have it.”
Adrik nodded. “The Stephanovs are coming, and my sister can’t wait forever. I get it.”
Levka shook his head. “If any of you gave a shit about her, you’d do something to help her.”
“She’s fine.”
“She’s not fine!” Levka bit, standing up. “This life is killing her, and all you fucks just sit around not giving a shit because she’s a woman. She’s smarter than any of you! She should be head of the family. Instead, she’s forced to pop out fucking babies she doesn’t want. She’d sacrifice her happiness for you. You know that, right?”
“And I’d for her. She is not the only one making sacrifices. That is the mafia way. But for whatever reason, you are focused on her. She doesn’t need your help. All you’ll do is make it worse. My father destroyed you once. He’ll never let you be part of this family. Stay away from Luerna, Levka.”
“I can’t!” Levka nearly screamed. Then he laughed, “I can’t. Even knowing that I can’t.”
“You trying to convince me you’re in love with her?”
“I don’t give a shit about convincing you.” Levka ran his hands through his hair, but the movement stretched his rib, and he cursed as he leaned over, trying to ease the massive pain.
Adrik studied him and sighed, disappointed that the man would do something so stupid as fall for his sister.
“You really are a fucking idiot.”
Chapter sixteen
Date
Luernapacedherfather’soffice. Her cheek stung from Rurik’s hit. Her right eye was a little blurry, telling her she probably popped a blood vessel. She twisted her hands, walking back and forth in front of Yakov’s desk.
When the door opened, she spun on her foot to find Adrik entering. The way he eyed her made her bow her head, keeping any words from escaping.
Adrik sat in the big leather chair behind the desk and was silent. Luerna sat with a stiff back, sitting on the edge, staring at her toes, waiting for whatever reprimand was on his tongue. She shouldn’t feel so inferior. She was ten years older than her brother, but she respected him and couldn’t speak to him like she spoke to Rurik.
Plus anything she did he didn’t like, Adrik could report it to their father.
“Where’s Rurik?”
“He left,” she whispered.
“He pissed me off. That old fuck better learn to shut his mouth.” Adrik took up a blunt, lighting it. His gaze landed specifically on her eye, and he sat and studied it as he blew smoke out. Luerna bowed her head, trying to hide it with her hair. “He’s gotten bold in our absence. Does he hit you often?”
She shook her head. It was a lie, of course, but her brother didn’t need to know.
“Does father know?”
“Adrik, it’s fine. I’m fine.”
He clenched his teeth, his cheek muscles flexing. “I’ll get a little payback.”
