Page 101 of Claimed By Desire

Until I met Step and my life changed and I understood there was a better way.

Lev’s in a bad place. Maybe he’s always in a bad place and he keeps his mask in place to hide how dark things get inside his head. But this isn’t the man I know. This isn’t the man I respect and care about.

“You know, you always were the best of us,” Lev says finally. He takes out his wallet and drops a couple hundred dollars down on the bar. “But you’re still wrong about why I’m here. You assume it’s revenge against Adriano.”

“You’re telling me it’s not.”

He shakes his head and gestures. “Come on. Let’s go end this.”

Chapter 39

Alexander

Ifollow Lev through the crowd, completely on guard, not sure what the hell he’s up to now. Coming here, I figured he was going to take matters into his own hands. Kill Adriano, get himself out of the marriage, or die trying. Maybe just settle for sparking the war again by crossing a few too many lines.

But now I wonder.

Lev’s too clever for that. Guns blazing isn’t his thing. He might’ve gone charging off down at the docks, but he’s usually more levelheaded than that. With him, there’s an angle, there’s another layer.

I’m not seeing the play here, and it’s bothering me.

Lev turns down a hall. There’s a staircase that leads up to the private VIP lounges on the second floor. When we approach, the bouncer nods at the pair of us.

“Mr. Marino’s waiting in his private office. Turn right at the top of the steps. You’ll see the guard.”

He opens the rope and Lev starts climbing.

“Adriano knows you’re coming?” I ask him, confused. “What’s going on right now?”

“I told you. I’m here for revenge.” Lev looks determined, but I don’t get it. Why would Adriano let him through if Lev’s just here to murder him?

“Don’t do something stupid.” I grab his arm when we reach the top. The VIP sections are to the left on balconies overlooking the dancefloor and the private offices are down a blocked-off hall to the right. A guard lurks there, big arms crossed over his chest, gun visible at his hip.

Lev faces me. He puts a hand on my elbow and squeezes. “Listen, Alex. I care about my family. You know that, right?”

“Which is exactly why I don’t want you to go down the hall. Don’t go into that office. Let’s turn away and go home.”

“Trust me, okay? What you’re about to hear in there, just trust me. Can you do that?”

I don’t know if I can. Lev’s darkness is rearing its ugly head and I’m worried he’s about to get himself killed. But this is the last brother I have on earth, and I can’t turn my back on him.

“I trust you.”

He nods and turns away. The guard lets him pass and doesn’t seem surprised when I follow too.

Adriano’s office is at the end of the hall. The music is muted and entirely disappears when we’re ushered inside by a third armed man. The room is spacious with comfortable carpeting, a big wooden desk, and expensive paintings on the walls.

“Gentlemen.” Adriano’s in a dress shirt and slacks. He’s got a drink at his elbow and a laptop open on the left. He closes the lid and stands. “I was wondering when you’d come up to visit.”

“We had a talk first.” Lev approaches him. I’m tense and on edge, ready to lunge and tackle Lev to the floor at the first sign of violence.

Adriano looks totally at ease. “That’s fine by me. Club’s in good shape tonight.”

“Business looks steady.”

“You know how the club and restaurant business can be. One second, money pours from a firehose, and the next it’s all gone.” He gestures for us to sit as he settles himself back down. “Do either of you want a drink? It’s good seeing you again, Alexander, by the way.”

“You too, although I’m going to be honest, I’m not totally sure what this meeting is about.”

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