Page 65 of Devious Corruption

“Let me make you something. If you’re stuck babysitting me, it’s the least I can do.”

“You don’t need to do anything. I’m good.”

“Fine.” I open the fridge, find everything I need for a quick vegetable scramble and bring everything out to the counter.

As I’m chopping the onions and bell peppers, I sense Stephan watching me, but when I look up, he’s back on his phone. I throw in two extra eggs.

By the time I’m finished the kitchen smells amazing. I’m no chef, but having fresh vegetables to cook with makes everything taste better. Finding the plates in one of cabinets, I plate up some for myself and for Stephan.

“Here.” I push his plate at him across the kitchen island.

He eyes it, like a child wanting to grab a cookie from the dessert plate but isn’t sure he’s allowed.

“It’s eggs. Just take it. I promise they’re good.” I place a fork next to it, then pick up my plate and lean against thecounter to devour it. When I finish, I bring my plate to the sink.

“That was really good.” Stephan places his empty plate on the counter beside me.

“Of course it was.” I smile up at him and turn the warm water on.

“The housekeeper will do those,” he says when I start rinsing off the dishes and loading them into the dishwasher.

“I can handle it. I don’t mind pitching in. Least I can do since you’re having to put up with me here,” I say, finishing up.

When it’s all done, I find Marion wandering around outside the kitchen and lead her to where the litter box should be for her. She has no lay of the land here, and I can’t have her making messes on these expensive floors. Or worse, the furniture.

Stephan stays back, but I can sense his presence as I make my way through the penthouse. It’s less ominous this time than the night I came to talk with Lev about the gun. Maybe it’s the sunlight basking the rooms through the large windows overlooking the city. Or it’s because I’m not frightened as I was that night.

That was barely a week ago.

I try my brother’s phones again, leaving yet another voicemail before I scoop up Marion and take her back up to the bedroom. My shadow has finally backed off enough that I can’t tell if he’s even following me anymore.

While Marion naps on the sofa in the sitting area ofLev’s rooms, I make the bed. Marion doesn’t shed a lot for a cat, but I can already see some of her hair on the couch and even on the comforter. It takes a while, but I finally locate the cleaning supplies in a closet down the hall and bring back the vacuum and dusting things.

Marion hates vacuums, so as soon as she sees me carrying it in, she makes a mad dash under the bed.

“Just don’t go putting any holes in the mattress under there,” I say and turn on the handheld wireless vacuum.

After getting the hair off the comforter, I decide to go ahead and just vacuum the whole room. I already have the vacuum out; might as well be of good use.

“What the hell are you doing?” A shout comes over the sound of the vacuum.

I scream at the sudden intrusion. In my shock, I grab a book from a side table and hurl it at the intruder.

When my attention focuses, a chill runs down my spine.

Lev glares at me from the doorway. The book lays open at his feet.

“What are you doing?” Lev repeats his question, with much less volume now.

I give a pointed look at the vacuum in my hand. “What does it look like to you that I was doing?”

He pinches his lips together and drags in a long breath through his nose. Like he’s taking a moment to let the frustration run its course.

“I meant, what are you doing vacuuming my bedroom?” He snatches up the book from the floor, snapping the hardcover shut.

“Some of Marion’s hair was on the chair,” I explain.

“I have a full staff that takes care of this sort of thing.” He crosses the room and takesthe vacuum from me.