Page 17 of Devious Corruption
A woman exiting from the elevators with a man on her arm explains it all. She’s dripping in luxury, from the red soled heels to the diamonds cascading in a single line from her earlobes. Her escort reeks of money, with his perfectly fitted navy blue suit and his diamond tie pin.
I wrap my jacket tighter around my body, covering up the department store sweater and jeans I’m wearing.
“I’m supposed to be meeting Lev Yakovlev?” The air shifts simply from his name being put into it.
“Your name?” Credit where it’s due, he manages to hold onto his plastic smile.
“Maxine Hartman. He’s expecting me.” Or rather he’s expecting me and my brothers, but hopefully this guy won’t let on that they’ve declined the invitation.
I’m still not sure what Lev will do when he realizes my brothers won’t meet with him. All I can do is hold my ground.
Though I’m not sure it’s going to be as easy to do with him as it was in high school when Joey’s algebra teacher refused to let him retake a test he missed because he’d been out on suspension. Mrs. Ingles, our foster mom, didn’t want to get involved, so I handled it. One conversation and a vague threat involving his wandering eye from his wife to the dean’s secretary, I had Joey’s test retake scheduled, and he even helped him prep for the test.
“You can go on up.” The doorman walks me to the elevator and steps inside as though he’s going to ride up with me. “Mr. Yakovlev is in the penthouse. I’ve already put in the code for you.”
“Oh. Thanks.” I move to the back of the elevator as he steps off, giving me a small side-glance as the doors shut.
He’s probably wondering what the hell I’m doing meeting with Lev. That would make two of us. If he wouldn’t give me the stupid gun back the night he took it, I’m not sure how I’ll be able to get him to do it tonight.
The elevator dings, announcing my arrival. While it’s alittle sound, my stomach reacts as though it were a fist plunging directly into it.
I’m not sure what I expect when the doors open, but the sight before me blows any expectation I might have had out of the water. Decorated entirely in shades of black and gray with accents of gold, the place is sophisticated, dark, and completely void of a sense of home. I’ve been in museums that have felt more welcoming.
“Ms. Hartman?” A man steps out from what seems like nowhere. “Mr. Yakovlev is waiting for you in his office.”
The way he says it makes it seem like I’ve been keeping him. When I check my phone for the time, I realize having to find a parking spot on the street to avoid the parking fees in the lots around here, I’ve made myself ten minutes later than planned.
He looks back at the empty elevator with a curious look.
“It’s just me,” I say.
His jaw tenses, and he walks past me. Supposing I’m to follow him, I fall in step behind him. The rubber soles of my flats make no sound against the marble tiles, but his shoes click along. Each step is a tick on the time bomb that is this meeting.
My stomach clenches and grumbles. I should have grabbed a banana or something after work on my way over here.
When we come to the closed door that I assume is Lev’s office, my escort pushes the door open for me and jerks his head. Taking it as an indication I’m to go inside, Itake one last deep breath, reminding myself that if Lev hurts me, Vee will make Ivan seek vengeance.
At least that’s what I’m telling myself.
The door shuts hard behind me as soon as I’m inside, making my bones rattle from the force of it. After a quick glance, I realize the room is empty. Lev isn’t in here.
I release a hard breath, letting my body release some of the tension as I look around the room. It has the same bachelor ambiance. There’s a leather couch with two armchairs facing it, and a round glass table between them on one side of the room in front of a fireplace. A large, mahogany, carved desk sits opposite. Whoever sits behind the desk would have a clear view of everyone in the room.
I have no doubt it was set up this way with that sole purpose in mind. For Lev to loom over everyone present.
A door opens from the left-hand corner of the room and Lev steps inside. Smoothing his hand over his tie, he walks toward me. When he reaches his desk, he stops and levels me with a stare.
Oxygen whooshes from my lungs the moment his dark eyes meet mine. It’s as if he’s plugged into my mind and is downloading my thoughts. The heavy silence becomes a weight as we stare at each other. Desperate to relieve the pressure building, I want to look away, but I force myself to hold steady.
I won’t break.
“You’re alone.” It’s an accusation.
“My brothers were busy,” I lie.
He knows it. The little corners of his mouth turn down, like I’ve disappointed him.
“Brave of them, sending their little sister in their place.”
