Page 28 of Devious Corruption

“No, but I heard you were drugged,” Megan adds.

“We don’t know that for a fact,” I mutter, folding my arms over my chest.

“He’s overprotective, just like my brothers.” The third woman smiles. “Sorry, we haven’t met yet. I’m Elana.”

“She’s Ivan’s sister,” Vee explains.

I smile, hoping it’s warm. Lev has put me in a mood again.

“How many Volkovs are there, exactly?” I ask.

She looks familiar, but I can’t place her. It’s the champagne, maybe two drinks on an empty stomach wasn’t the best choice.

She laughs. “Just us four that we’re aware of, but with our father, who really knows.”

I’m not exactly sure how to respond to her remark. Having never had an actual father or mother, I’m not really the expert on these things.

“Damn.” Megan looks up from her phone. “I was hoping Mira would be here tonight, but she’s sick.”

Elana laughs. “Sick or tied to a bed?”

“Rurik is a little possessive, but even he wouldn’t keep her from tonight.” Megan tucks her hair back behind her ear. The two thick white strips of hair stand out against the rest of her black hair.

“Why does that man keep staring at us?” Vee questions, gesturing with her chin behind me.

I turn slightly. “I think he’s been assigned to keep me in his eyesight all night.”

“Why?” Vee’s brow furrows.

“Because.” I don’t want to get into the details right now. It’s supposed to be party, and dragging my drama into it will only bring down the vibe.

“What’s going on?” Nicolette appears at my side. “You look like something’s wrong.”

I push on a smile. This is her night. And I won’t get to see her for months after this, there’s no need to ruin it beaus her brother is a big ass.

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“That guard is glaring at Max.” Vee answers at the same time as I do.

Nicolette glances over at the man in question. “He’s one of Lev’s personal guys. I’ll go tell him to knock it off; he’s being weird.”

“No.” I touch her arm. “It’s fine. Don’t start anything.”

“Start anything?” She frowns. “What did Lev say? Is he being an ass again?”

“He’s just protecting you.” I check the time on my phone. “It’s okay, I have a really early morning anyway. I should get going. I only stopped in to say my goodbyes before you got on the plane tomorrow.”

Her shoulders drop. “You’re leaving already? We haven’t even had dinner yet.”

“It’s fine.” The little hairs on my neck standat end. When I glance over her shoulder, I find Lev watching us from the far side of the room.

“What did he do?” She demands, grabbing my arm.

“Nothing, Nicolette. I swear. He didn’t do anything. I really do have an early morning, and I need to stop at my brothers’ apartment before I head home.”

“Are they causing trouble?” She lowers her voice with her question.

“No. No. I promise. Everything’s fine.” I pull her into a tight hug. “Have the best time, and don’t forget to call or email or whatever.”