Page 106 of Devious Corruption

“What’s going on?” I ask. “Megan? What’s wrong?”

“Don’t,” Elana whispers again.

“Your brother?—”

“Isn’t going to find out.”

“What are you going to do? How will he never find out?” Megan demands, trying to keep her voice to a whisper.

“I’m trying to figure it all out. Just give me time,” Elana pleads.

I’m obviously on the outside of the conversation, so I slink back. But Megan grabs hold of my shoulder and squeezes.

“That man you saw her with at your store, was he Italian?” Megan asks.

Elana’s eyes are pleading with me, but I’m not sure what she wants me to hide.

“I…uh…”

“He was.” Megan gives a strong nod. “So, you were looking at wedding magazines with someone you don’t ever intend to tell your brothers about?”

“It was a fantasy, Megan.” Tears spring to Elana’s eyes. “Please, just give me some time.”

“I’m not sure there’s much time left. Not with the pressure from Alexander’s mother on top of everythingelse.” Megan’s shoulders drop. “What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know, but I have to do something, right?”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” I offer.

Elana shakes her head a little. “Don’t tell anyone, all right? Let me fix this.”

I glance at Megan. “The guy at the store…he’s the younger brother, am I right?”

She nods, then confirms in a soft voice to keep from being overheard, “Yeah. Tony DeAngelo.”

“Oh, Elana.”

She slinks lower in her seat, pressing her phone to her chest. “I know.”

The car comes to a stop, and we realize that we’ve made it across town and are parked in front of Lev’s building.

“Don’t say anything, all right?” Elana grabs my wrist.

“Of course I won’t,” I vow. I’ve kept bigger secrets before to keep my brothers safe. This isn’t any worse than that.

Elana reaches over and hugs me. “Thank you.”

My door opens and she releases me. Dmitri is already waiting for me, holding the front door open.

“Dmitri, can I ask you something?” I ask once the elevator door has shut.

“Sure.” He glances over his shoulder at me.

“Did the salespeople at those stores put things aside for Lev to purchase later?” I’m not sure he would reallyknow that or not, but I’d rather be prepared when I face off with Lev about it.

“No.” He turns back around, a grin already forming on his lips. “They’re sending it all over tonight. Lev doesn’t have to go pick it up.”

“How can he do that? What if those things didn’t fit, or I didn’t like them?” I ask, the embers of a fire already ready to erupt inside me.