Page 109 of Devious Corruption

“Max, they haven’t contacted you, haven’t responded to any of your messages.”

“It’s happened before. I’m not worried.” Except, I am.

But now it’s not about their safety…not really. I’m worried about what happens when they come back and find out I’ve been with Lev all this time. What will Lev do when they return?

“You don’t see anything wrong with them disappearing on you like this?” His tone hardens. “Do you know what I would do if Nicolette didn’t answer me for a few weeks?”

“You’d have your men tracking her down if she didn’t answer you in twelve hours. But it’s not like that with my brothers.”

“They’re not your brothers,” he snaps.

I jerk back, the words hitting as hard as his belt ever could.

“They may not be my blood, but they are my brothers.”

“That’s not what I mean.” He jams a hand through his hair, making it stand in odd angles.

“You mean, they’re not like you, so they’re not good.”

“They aren’t good men, Max. You haven’t seen that yet?” He hooks his hands on his hips. A stance that only moments ago would have me drooling for him.

Now…

Now I can barely look at him.

“You don’t even know them.” My voice shakes.

“I know they made a mess and then left the country, not even telling you where they were or what was going on. I know they’ve opened credit cards and personal loans in your name, racking up over fifteen grand in debt.”

“They left the country?” Marion runs through my legs, purring. “How do you know they left the country?”

His expression falls. His thick throat works as he swallows around whatever bullshit he’s going to spew.

“You know where they are?” It comes out as a whisper, but it’s only because my rage is strangling my voice box.

He straightens up, eyes flaming with the same arrogant fire as when we first met.

“I’ve had eyes on them all week.” His confession hangs heavy and loaded between us.

“You knew where they were and didn’t tell me?” I accuse, my hands balling into fists.

Marion takes this moment to stand on her hind legs and knead her paws into my thigh.

“Until I knew what they were up to, there wasn’t anything to tell you.”

“You didn’t think I should know where they are?” I take a breath. “Where are they, Lev?”

Another pause. Like he’s warring with himself if he should tell me or not.

“They’ve been in Italy.”

“Italy?” Confusion fills me. “Why would they be in Italy. You said the men they were working with here are Armenian.”

“Yes.” He nods. “Which is why it makes little sense that they’re staying at a villa owned by the DeAngelo’s uncle.”

His phone dings, but he ignores it.

“Where in Italy?”