Lev: a Shot Callers novel - Belle Aurora Page 0,134
love you, Mama. Always have. Always will.”
She turned on her heel and motioned for us to leave. “Come on. Let’s go.”
Cora walked us to our car and murmured, “Go. I’ll meet you at Nastasia’s.”
Lev didn’t stop to ask questions.
We got in the car and drove.
Cora and Nas were waiting for us as we stepped out of the car. I held out my arms. “What the hell was that?”
Nas turned to Cora and nudged her shoulder. “That’s what you call having game.”
Lev approached cautiously. “Please tell me that was not a bluff.”
Cora smiled at him. “No. Nas has a copy, and so does Sasha. My lawyer has one, and the last ledger is in a secret location.” She sighed. “Pappy will be royally fucked if he messes with you again.”
“Why?” he asked. “Why are you helping me?”
Cora looked down at the ground before speaking softly. “You said I was like family once. And families look after each other, have each other’s backs.” She paused. “I always felt more at home here than I ever did over there.”
Then Lev did something odd.
He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around Corinna, and hugged her. And this was no short hug. It lasted a full minute, at the very least. Cora slumped into him, reaching up and gripping his jacket tightly as she accepted the rare show of affection from a man who seldom gave it.
And I stood by, smiling like a loon.
He pulled back and cupped her cheek. “Thank you, Corinna. I’m in your debt.”
But she shook her head. “You don’t owe me anything. I just want Lidiya to be happy, and she’s happy here.”
That she was, the little munchkin.
A thought crossed me. “Are we sure Igor will heed the warning? He’s so cocky. Doesn’t seem like the type to worry about a threat.”
Cora’s brow rose. “Oh, he’ll listen.” She chuckled. “I emailed him back a copy of the documents just so he knows I’m not playing around.”
“Whoa,” I stated in awe. “You’re a badass motherfucker, Cora.” I smiled in appreciation. “I like it. It’s a good look on you.”
Nas cut in then, “Cora’s going to be staying here for a while, just until she gets back on her feet.”
Cora blanched. “Unless you don’t want me to.”
Lev replied sincerely, “Stay as long as you like. We have plenty of room.”
Nas nudged Cora and whispered, “Ask him.”
Cora’s brows bunched, and she shook her head discreetly.
Nas rolled her eyes. “Just ask him.”
“Ask me what?” Lev enquired.
Cora shook her head, looking mildly embarrassed. “It’s not important.”
Nas sighed loudly. “You realize she’s officially cut off now, right?” Lev nodded, but shrugged. Nas muttered uncomfortably, “She kind of needs a job, you know, to live.”
Lev looked down at Cora. “Can you serve drinks?”
“I don’t know. I never tried,” she replied.
Ooh! Ooh!
I raised my hand like a first-grader, not even bothering to mask my excitement. “I can teach her.” I looked to Cora with a smile. “I can teach you.” I shrugged. “If I can learn, so can you. And I was terrible when I started.”
Nas tilted her head in thought, half-chuckling at the memory. “You really were.” At my indignant, “Hey!” she then turned to Cora and shrugged. “She really was.”
Lev nodded. “Okay, it’s settled then. You’ll work at the club.”
Cora’s shoulders slumped in relief and she let out a sincere, “Thank you.”
Lev merely responded, “We’re family. We look after each other.”
Oh, man, he was so getting laid tonight.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Mina
Cora’s first night went off without a hitch. She was a natural, and thanks to the two of us being the same size, she was able to wear the Red Riding Hood outfit Birdie had bought for me. I told Birdie to put in another order for costumes in my size, but different to the ones I had. Birdie told me that it would take a couple of days, and that was okay. I didn’t mind sharing with Cora until then.
When I went to tell her about the subtle flirting for tips, I noticed she’d already been doing it. When I thought to mention the house blend bottles full of iced-tea, Cora had already figured it out. And when I saw her lean over the bar to place a kiss on a big spender’s cheek, I was a little miffed. It was clear I wasn’t needed.
The girls on stage were dancing out a routine to Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money”, and I was mesmerized. They swayed their hips delicately, their breasts hidden behind sparkling pasties, and their expressions were