It’s so corny, I want to shoot myself.
Still, I can’t regret it when she beams at me, leaning both elbows on the table, eager.
Jesus fuck. Don’t. Do not look at her tits.
Fortunately, in the time I get a menu thrust in my direction and settle on a sandwich, the bell chimes again. I’m grateful someone steals Janella’s golden gaze from me… and then my sisters are beside us.
“Look at what the cat dragged in,” Darya greets.
Nadya throws an arm over her shoulder, adding, “Us.”
“I was referring to our brother.”
“Oops!”
Janella is delighted. She wastes no time getting to her feet, pulling both girls into a hug. The practice has already become instinctive.
I get a quick hug and hello in. Janella sets them up, dragging a couple more chairs to the table and settling everyone in. It comes naturally to her. She’s beatific. They already love her.
When my phone buzzes in my pocket, I’m so goddamn grateful for the distraction.
It’s Leonid.
“You busy?”
I breathe a sigh of relief, shooting out of my chair. “No. What’s up? What can I do?”
Right. Maybe that was too overeager.
“Pipe down?” he suggests, amused. “I know Miron’s covering Viktor today. Want to tag along with me to do a shipment check?”
“I’m in.”
All three women are obviously eavesdropping. I try to look as apologetic as possible rather than relieved.
There’s something about Janella’s doe-eyed look that has me mouthing “Sorry”.
She reaches out and squeezes my hand, nodding, understanding.
Fuck me.
“I’ll be there in fifteen,” I tell Leo and hang up.
What are the chances my brother won’t fuck with me about this?
Seeing the knowing look on Darya’s face as I get away from The Great Escape, I know I can’t bet on it.
***
I assumed Leonid meant checking on one ofourshipments. My bad.
This place is crawling with the Genovese.
“This could go so fucking wrong, man,” Leo mutters.
Adrenaline is already coursing through my bloodstream. I’m here. I’m in it, alive. It’s fucking great.
I grin. “Always can until it doesn’t.”
