“You certainly are fascinating, doe. Now get the fuck out of here and keep me updated. Remember, they are only alive because I need to find out who is involved. As soon as I do, you won't be able to save them.”
I know this already, but Lev leaves no doubt in my mind that he means what he says. After a brief moment of me memorizing his features to store for later, I catch his eyes. He’s scowling at me like I belong on a psych ward. Before I push him over the edge, I walk out of the room, and am greeted by Jules.
“You certainly have a death wish,” he says.
“Why do you say that?” I ask. And here I thought I was pretty chill. Wasn’t I?
“No sane person would look at someone like Lev, or any of us, as heroes, Aaron. You all but had hearts in your eyes in there. Just reel it in, Lev doesn't do relationships and he has no patience, so be careful.”
Huh. Here I thought I’d hidden it well.
He walks past me and I follow him to the rear exit, leaving silently as he opens and closes the door behind me.
For a moment, I relish in the cold air. It cools my warm cheeks, and as the grin stretches on my face, my feet nearly lift off the ground. I could fly away right now.
Lev is the perfect drug for me and I want more.
Chapter 8 - Lev
Walkingthroughthefrontdoor at home, the smell of pizza lures me to the kitchen. I'm starving. Making my way in, I see Dima, Seb, and Simon opening four boxes of pizza.
Dima nods in my direction. “Wasn’t sure if you wanted any, but got extra,” he says, pointing over to the food.
I hum in response as I uncuff my long sleeves and roll them up to my elbows, opening the first few buttons of my shirt with the need to relax and unwind. Seb’s staring at my chest. I smirk.
“Hungry, Seb?” I wink at him, and he rolls his eyes. Gotcha, brat.
“Shut the fuck up, Lev, I’m warning you,” Dima admonishes, pulling Seb into his lap like some child. It's ridiculous looking at two large men sitting like that. Seb pretends he hates it, but he loves it really.
“Well you should tell your boy to stop staring, it's rude.” I love pushing them both, it amuses me when my brother gets feral over him.
“Lev,” Dima growls. He really does sound like an animal when he gets possessive.
“Ignore him, baby, he’s just being an ass,” Seb says, coddling my big brother. Dima presses a hard kiss on Seb before aiming his warning look at me, like it ever works. Simon comes to sit next to me, and I await whatever tirade of questions that's about to come from D.
“So, any news on Jake and his boys?” Dima asks. “Jules mentioned Aaron had been to the club.”
“Only suspicions at this point. He is trying to find more. Although it appears Jake seems to have taken a liking to his brother.” I bite into my pizza, enjoying the cheesy greasiness of it.
All eyes freeze on me. “What the fuck are you looking at?”
“What do you mean a liking…? Are you telling me Jake wants to screw his brother?” Dima says with the same level of disgust in his tone as I feel in my throat thinking about it.
“Well, technically stepbrother, but yeah. He's gonna try and get more info, but Jake has restricted Aaron. He has less access to the crew’s information." I drop the pizza down and sigh. “Let me bring him in. I’ll get the fucker to sing,” I say, clenching my fists on the table. The need to hurt and destroy this fucker is taking over my life. The craving for blood is becoming as important as my need for oxygen.
“Soon, brother. Let's give Aaron another week first, we need names,” Dima says.
My appetite now gone, I lean back and turn toward Simon.
“Keep a listen out, actually, I want you to do some subtle digging into the other crews. They like to gossip…just see if anyone stands out.” I glance back at Dima. “We need to move this along somehow; we can't just rely on Aaron.” Dima reads between the lines. I'm on my last nerve and he knows it, so he nods.
“Okay, but be careful, Si. I don't want anyone being tipped off, thinking we are asking questions,” he says.
“No problem. I'll start tonight, we have to collect payments anyway. We can put the feelers out and let you know tomorrow," Simon says.
That gives me a little reassurance, enough not to completely run psycho across town.
Hearing heavy footsteps approaching, I turn to the door and in walks Jules.
