Page 103 of Vegas Daddies

And I think rallying around after Vlad has given him his first taste of freedom.

When there’s a risk, there’s a thrill.

But understanding his choices doesn’t make him any less of an asshole.

Levi looks around the room. He doesn’t have to lie. I know just as well as him that he wants this life. According to Brander, Russians recruit Americans only in very special circumstances.

Aside from being a dog, what else does Levi have to offer?

His inability to look directly at Alice suggests he’s done far worse than cheating. Murder, perhaps? That’s apparently how most Americans slither their way into Bratva networks, by carrying out dirty work, or as the Russians like to call it—“mundane tasks.”

“Levi?” Alice presses. “What’s wrong?”

“No. You’re right.” His eyes lift. “I never wanted this.”

Brander’s hard eyes catch mine.

“So then…what?” Lifesaver asks. “You decide you no longer want in with the Russians, and that’s it done and dusted?” Lifesaver snorts. “You’ve tangled Alice into this mess. You’re responsible for getting her out.”

Levi presses his lips together and looks around the room, surveying each one of us again. He’s probably picturing us naked or some shit to make this less intimidating.

“I can’t believe you married them,” he finally says.

“Right back at you,” Alice says, “with the fucking another girl.” Then a smile plays on her lips. “But I’m glad.”

Levi’s voice is grave. “What do you mean?”

“It brought me to Brander, Match, and Lifesaver.” She looks at each of us in turn. “It’s definitely the wrong time to be saying this, but I love you. All three of you.” Her green eyes expand, shimmering like the most expensive jewel. “I didn’t expect to find it so fast and I certainly didn’t expect three motorcyclists generations older than me to find special places in my heart, but you guys have taught me what love is.”

My heart swells.

Alice turns to Levi. “If not for your cheating, I would’ve been married to a guy that IthoughtI loved, but didn’t.”

“Alice—”

“It was attachment, not love.”

Levi’s jaw hardens.

“It was,” continues Alice. “Of course, at the time I didn’t realize, but in hindsight it’s very simple. Think about it.” She stares at Levi. “We started college together. We were alone, fishes in new ponds and all that, and we found comfort in each other. Everyone around had moms, and we didn’t, so we took that common ground and latched on to each other to make ourselves feel less alone.”

“I loved you, Alice.” The sincerity of Levi’s voice takes me by surprise.

Maybe he actually fucking did.

“And you loved me too,” Levi continues.

“No.” Alice shakes her head.

I stifle a laugh and see Lifesaver do the same.

“I’m sorry.” Alice rises from the couch and fans her hair away from her face. She sticks her hands in the air and stretches away all of the tension. “I think you should go. Tell Vlad you’re done with me. Tell him you want no part in his games anymore.” She heads to the door. “And when you’ve told him that, you can tell him to revoke his plans to murder my father.”

“I can’t! He’s gonna fucking kill me. Literally.”

“Own up to your mistake,” Brander says.

I send him a death glare because now’s not the time for a Brander intervention.

---