Page 81 of Bound to a Monster

He leaves with his men in tow. Alex comes to me, and we stand together in the entryway while the house swarms with people grabbing anything that might be worth something or important. Documents, watches, jewelry. Some of them will pocket cash, but that’s fine. A worthwhile price to pay.

“How does it feel?” he asks.

“Honestly?” I take a deep breath and blow it back out. “Fuckingfantastic.”

Chapter 32

Carmie

Alot of people show up for Oleg’s funeral.

I’m surprised, honestly. I always thought he was a bitter, nasty old asshole, but apparently he was well liked in his community. Lev shakes hands, accepts condolences, and listens to stories about his father. Most people think Oleg died of a heart attack at his desk. Always working too hard, everyone says.

A few people know the truth.

There are armed men scattered throughout the church. It’s subtle, but they’re watching Lev the whole time. Not in a menacing way though.

They’re taking his orders.

“He should be here,” Lev says, pulling me close to his side. The viewing is winding down. Everyone’s getting ready to head out to the cemetery.

“There’s still time.”

“There are barely any Zeitsev people here either.” Lev’s face is grim.

“But I don’t understand. All these people?” I gesture at the crowd. “It’s kind of amazing, actually. If I get even half this many at my funeral, consider me lucky.”

“They’re business associates. Jewelry people. There aren’t any—” He lowers his voice, his lips tickling my jaw. “There isn’t anyone from the Bratva here.”

I frown slightly. That’s probably not a good thing then. Oleg was an important member of the Zeitsev organization, and Lev expected to slot into his father’s place.

It’s a nice day. The crowd around the grave is small. Only Oleg’s closest friends and family show up, and it’s an intimate thing. Alex and Natalya are there, and I stand with them and Lev while the priest performs the ceremony.

Oleg’s casket is lowered into the ground, and nobody cries.

“Did you count how many?” Lev asks Alex once everyone begins to disperse. Natalya’s hanging on my arm, looking more thoughtful than sad. I want to ask how she’s feeling about her father’s death, but she doesn’t seem very bothered by it.

“Two, and neither of them were full members.” Alex shakes his head. “He didn’t show up.”

“That's not good.” Lev glances over at the line of cars. Mourners are climbing in and heading home. Our small group pauses under a tall oak tree and the shade feels nice. My feet ache from wearing heels, and all I want to do is take a nap.

“It’s only a funeral,” Natalya says. “So what if Valentin didn’t show up?”

“Dad was a part of his Bratva. Valentin not coming today sends a pretty clear message.”

“Which is what?”

“He doesn’t approve of what I did.”

She frowns and looks at Alex. “What do you think?”

“He’s right. At the very least, even if he was too busy to come today for some crazy reason, he should have sent people. Or there should be other people from the Bratva here. Your father wasn’t the most well-loved guy in the world, but they understand family and honor. They should’ve been here.”

A tense silence follows. I lean into Lev and touch his arm. He doesn’t pull away, and instead wraps me closer, hugging me into his side. It’s strange, this thoughtless affection, like it’s as natural as anything to touch me like this.

When barely a couple of weeks ago we were sleeping in separate rooms.

Now our relationship is different. He takes me out to dinner and tells me about his day. The masked man still visits—but not every night. Instead, most of the time, it’s just me and Lev getting to know each other.

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