Page 123 of Devious Corruption

“What are you doing?” I question Lev.

“I’m keeping him safe until I can have a conversationwith the Armenians. Joey did some really stupid shit. I can keep him alive, but only if he does what I say.”

Exhaustion washes over me, mixing with the grief of losing my brothers, and the terror of almost being killed by a lunatic mobster.

“C’mon, I’m taking you home.” Lev sweeps me up into his arms. “Just rest.”

I lay my head against his shoulder, feeling for the first time, a sense of safety, and the warmth of love.

It’s taken Maxine a week, but she’s finally unpacked all of her things. The last box was broken down and thrown away this morning.

“Mr. Yakovlev!” Mrs. Nelson rushes out of the kitchen when she notices me walking toward the stairs.

I’ve been away from Maxine for a full twenty-four hours, and I won’t tolerate another moment.

“What?” I regret my tone as soon as I see her expression fall. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Nelson. What is it?”

“That’s better.” She smiles. “If you’re going up to see Maxine, can you please give her this?” She hands me a folded note.

“What is it?”

“It’s the recipe she asked me for. I was going to leave it in the kitchen, but I know she likes to take pictures of itand store it in her phone. So, there you go.” She pats my hand and disappears back into the kitchen.

As I finish my climb up to meet her, I peek at the recipe. It’s for the borscht we had for dinner two nights ago. I don’t even bother hiding my smile.

She’s still doing more work around the house than she needs to do with all my staff, but her motives have changed. It’s not about making herself useful, it’s about spending time with everyone in my home.

Our home.

She’s taken to them all and considers them as close to her as any family member.

She doesn’t cook with Mrs. Nelson for any reason now other than she enjoys it. And when she’s making this soup for me in a few nights, I’m going to enjoy every second of it.

Especially since I plan to make her do it naked. Every member of my staff will have the night off, and my men will have strict orders to stay the hell out. I don’t want to have to start removing eyes for seeing shit that’s not their business to see.

Fuck, my dick is already reacting, and I haven’t even seen her yet.

When I fling open the door to my room, I’m greeted by Marion. She mewls, then meows, louder and louder until I pick her up.

“You’re mad I was gone, I know. I’m sorry.” I scratch beneath her chin as I carry her through the room. “Where is she?”

The bedroom is empty, as well, but the bathroom door is open and the lights on.

I find her inside, staring at a bottle on the counter and the package of syringes that I kept in the drawer with the medicine.

“What are you doing?” I ask, my deep voice startling her. She jolts from the surprise and turns an accusatory glance at me.

“You’re allergic?” She puts her fists on her hips.

Marion rubs ups against my chin. The damn cat likes how my beard scratches her behind her ears.

“Lots of people have allergies, Max.” Marion wiggles, so I put her down and she runs off.

“Yes, but you’re allergic to cats.” She picks up the bottle. “I asked Nicolette what you take this for, and she said it’s cats. That you’re taking a shot every week because of Marion.”

I take the bottle from her, open the drawer she’d found it in, and drop it back inside. I sweep the syringes inside, as well, then close it.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”