Page 86 of Bound to a Monster

“No, actually,” I say, mocking the way he’s talking to me. “I support him because I think what he did was right.”

My brothers share a look. “You’re serious?” Daniel asks.

“I told you, you don’t know what Lev’s been through with his family.” I’m tempted to tell them Lev’s story, but that would be a huge violation. If they knew though, if they understood what Lev’s father did to him growing up, they wouldn’t act so fucking scandalized.

“Alright, I believe you,” Luca says, holding his hands up in surrender, and elbows Daniel. “Right, bro?”

“I don’t think I’ll ever like this,” Daniel says primly.

“I don’t need you to,” I tell him, fucking my frustration. “But there’s something I need you two to do for us.”

“For…us?” Luca looks surprised. “Seriously, Carmie, you’re talking like you and Lev are actually together. I thought you tolerated the guy at best? I mean, I know you’re married, but still.”

He’s got a point. I don’t know when it happened but I turned the corner on Lev. He makes more sense to me now. When I first married him, all I could see was the bastard that lied to me about his real name the first night we met, but now he’s more. The hate is gone. The anger’s gone too.

Now there’s tenderness. We talk about the future. He takes me to dinner and lets me past his walls. I’ve gotten to know him in the last few weeks, and I feel myself liking everything I find out.

He understands me. And I think I understand him too.

“I need you guys to talk to Adriano,” I tell him.

“About what?” Luca asks, curious.

But Daniel shakes his head. “Out of the question.”

“Hear her out.” Luca punches Daniel in the arm. “You’re such a fucking prick sometimes.”

Daniel’s jaw works. “Hit me again and I’ll break your nose.”

“Try me, you self-righteous fucking?—”

“Can you two stop?” If I let this go on, they’ll bicker all goddamn day and I won’t get anything done. “Adriano’s not going to listen to me right now because of shit with Lev and the Zeitsev. But if you two pass along the message, it might help.”

“What’s the message?” Luca asks. Daniel glares, but at least he doesn’t get up and walk away.

“Lev and I want to find a way to get back in with Valentin. We want to pick up the Canadian job where Lev’s father left off. But right now, we’re cut out. Adriano can talk to Valentin.”

“Why would he do that for you?” Daniel asks.

“Because if Lev’s on the outside, that means my marriage to him was a waste of time, and Adriano will have to start from scratch. He’s got skin in the game here.”

Luca grunts, leaning back in his seat, considering. “You have a valid point,” he concedes. “I just don’t know if it’ll do much good.”

“This isn’t just for me,” I say, leaning forward. I’m looking at Luca, but really, I’m talking to Daniel. “Don’t you two get it? I married Lev because Adriano wanted deeper ties to the Zeitsev. But if Valentin hates Lev, all that work disappears.”

“That’s good for you,” Daniel says, tone flat. “You won’t have to stay married.”

Maybe I want to stay married. I bite my tongue for a second and steady my breathing. “Just pass that along to Adriano, okay?”

Luca looks uncertain, but it’s Daniel who eventually nods and agrees. “Only because I think your logic makes sense. Not because I think it’ll help.”

“Wow, look at that,” Luca says in mock surprise. “Daniel’s actually listening to someone else for a change.”

Daniel calls him a cocksucker, drops money on the table for lunch, and walks out. I watch him go with a slight smile on my face.

“It was only a matter of time before he stormed out,” I say with a sigh.

“Getting him to agree to help is a big deal.” Luca leans closer and his tone softens. “You sure you’re okay? If shit with Lev and Valentin and Adriano’s getting too heated?—”

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