Lev: a Shot Callers novel - Belle Aurora Page 0,85

down.

He grinned hard, blowing me a kiss. I turned my head to the side and bit his chest. He jumped back, holding his nipple and glaring at me. “Ow. That hurt. You’re physical acts of violence are harming the love I have for you.” He moved to lift his tee up over his nipple and stepped closer to me. “Now kiss it better.”

I burst into laughter and ran away from him, hiding behind Nas. She rolled her eyes at the two of us, but she did it smiling. My friends were kind of awesome.

I hooked my arm through hers. “Okay, I’ll come, but if Sasha so much as looks at me dickishly, I’m leaving.”

“Whatever,” Nas muttered under her breath. “You guys are going to have to get over it. Both of you. Sasha loves Lev. You love Lev. You both need to cool down and get along.”

I was immediately defensive. “It’s not my fault. I could easily get over it and I would, for Lev, but Sasha won’t let me. Every opportunity he has, he says something nasty or gives me that freakin’ look, like I’m lower than him, like I’m scum. For some reason, I don’t think you’d let that fly if it were you, Nas.”

She agreed, “No, I wouldn’t. I’d call him out on it.”

“Oh, yeah. He’d love me for that,” I mumbled.

“No, he wouldn’t,” she paused a moment, “but he might respect you for it. We’re a funny people, Mina.”

We walked into a lingerie store and headed straight for the swimwear. As we were walking, Vik called out to us, holding a clothes hanger. “I think you’d look great in this, Mina.”

I blinked down at the hanger. “There’s nothing on it.”

He smirked. “I know.”

Nas groaned painfully at the stupid joke. When I picked up a folded towel and threw it at him, he burst into laughter. Nas shook her head. “I don’t even know why I waste my time with you.”

Vik sauntered over to her slowly, as if he were on the prowl. “Because I’m the best you’ve ever had.” He dipped his head to kiss her lips, nipping them gently. He spoke quieter, “And because you love me.”

Nas closed her eyes and slumped into him, kissing him back with all that she had. The display was so brash, so hot, that I had to turn around to hide my blush. They looked good together.

I looked at some of the bikinis when, from behind me, came, “I think you’re better off going for a one piece, darlin’.” I spun around to see a young woman around my height, perhaps a smidge taller, with long blonde hair and bright pink lips smiling at me.

She didn’t work at the store. She seemed to be browsing.

I cocked a brow. “You think?”

Her blue eyes popped. “Oh, I know. Look, we short women need to stick together, and I’m being honest here…we look like children when we wear bikinis.”

She was kind of funny. I chuckled. “Yeah, I guess so.”

Without permission, she took my arm and led me to the rack behind. “This here is the petite section. There are some sexy one-pieces you can try, or even a tank/bikini bottom combo. Maybe a sarong or kaftan.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I get so caught up.” She put her hand out. “I’m Cora.”

“Mina,” I said as I took her hand. “Nice to meet you.” I admitted, “I’m grateful for the help. I’m not much of a fashionista.”

Nas approached from behind. “Those are hot,” she said, keeping a close eye on my new friend.

I made introductions. “Nas, this is Cora.”

Nas stared, unblinking at the girl, and spoke in deathly calm. “I know who she is.”

Cora was no longer sweet, not to Nas anyway, and her lip curled unkindly. “Just helping out.”

“Corinna.” Nas stepped forward. “You’re not following us, are you?” She looked down her nose at the woman. “You know I don’t have issues with beating your ass into the ground. And on that note,” Nas smiled cruelly, “I see your nose healed fine.”

Uh oh.

What was happening here?

Cora shrugged. “Okay, so maybe I heard about the gypsy and wanted to see her for myself.” She glanced at me and her lips pursed in thought. “She’s cute.”

I didn’t see Vik approach, but I most definitely heard him when he growled, “You out of your fucking mind, Corinna? What don’t you understand about ‘stay the fuck away from us’? Do you know what Lev will do if he finds out you’ve even looked at