Page 51 of Devious Corruption

He nods, grabbing the small suitcase and the duffel from the bed. One of his men from Nicolette’s party is there waiting and he hands off the bags to him. A strong scent of curry washes into the room.

Lev says something to him in Russian, and he hurries off.

“We need to go,” he says to me, gesturing toward the open door.

When I step into the living room there are two more men. “You didn’t need to bring an army with you.”

“I brought who I needed. Now let’s go.” He gestures to the carrier and one of his men picks up Marion, who howls the moment she’s jostled.

“I can carry her.”

“Dominik has it. You follow behind me.” Lev grabs hold of my hand and pulls me into the hall.

It’s quiet as we move down the hall to the stairs. These hulking men move like ninjas; it’s unsettling.

When we get to the entrance way, the curry-scented man takes the lead. Pushing through the small area, he opens the exterior door. We follow him, then Dominick behind me and another man behind him.

“I don’t see why we need so many of us—” My complaint about our little army cuts off when a bullet buzzes past, striking the car closest to us.

“Fuck. Get down.” Lev covers me with his body, curling around me like a lumpy blanket.

I’m crouched down.

“Where?” He calls over to his men.

“From across the street. I have it.” The third man returns fire. The loud pop of his weapon echoes in my ears.

“Stay low. The car’s right there.” Lev points to the SUV idling two cars down. “Ready?”

“Yeah.” I look behind me. “Marion.”

“She’s fine. Just stay low.” Lev unravels himself from me only enough so I can move freely, but he keeps his body blocking me from the second round of shots fired at us.

It’s loud this time. Like a firecracker going off, and then another and another. Dominik curses from behind us. Marion’s carrier sits beside him while he gets down on one knee, taking aim at a target across the street.

“What’s happening?” I scream as a chunk of the curb flies up at me. Concrete strikes my neck, throwing me back into Lev.

“Get in the car!” He yells, yanking open the back door of the SUV.

He lifts me up into the seat. Another shot hits the sidewalk. Marion yowls from her carrier. Dominik is still focused on the where the shots are coming from.

“Marion!” I try to climb out of the car to get her, but Lev pushes me back into my seat.

“No. Stay here.”

“I can’t leave her!” Again I shove against him, but he’s immovable. His jaw tenses.

He points a long finger at me. “Stay here.”

Ducking down, he scrambles back toward Dominik, grabbing Marion’s carrier just as another bullet strikes. My heart stops.

If he hadn’t grabbed her, the bullet would have hit her. He must notice it too, because he freezes for a breath. His body goes rigid, and he barks orders in Russian to his men.

Dominik runs across the street while Lev returns to the car. His expression is hard.

I grab the carrier the moment it’s within reach. Marion continues to howl as Lev slams my door and climbs into the driver’s seat.

“Get down, Max. Stay down.” He orders as he quickly maneuvers out of the parking space and peels into the street.