Page 80 of Devious Corruption

“Maxine.” Vee sidles up next to me. “Ivan told me what’s going on. I’m so sorry.” She pulls me into a big hug.

“It’s not your fault.” I reassure her.

“Like hell. You were shot at because of me.” She touches the spot on my neck where the debris struck me. “You were hit? Ivan didn’t tell me that.”

Anger fills her eyes, and I grab her arm before she tears into her husband.

“No. I wasn’t. It was a ricochet. A bit of the sidewalkhit me. I’m fine. It’s a scratch.” I squeeze her arm. “Seriously. I’m fine.”

“And your cheek?” She demands.

“Oh.” I touch the rough spot on my cheek. “That’s not from the shooting.”

“What’s it from?” Her brows pull together with concern. “Lev didn’t?—”

“No!” I cut her off before she can even imply it. “He’s been good. I mean, he’s still an arrogant, overbearing ass, but he wouldn’t hurt me.”

At least not like that.

All the pain he’s caused so far has been filled with pleasure. Unadulterated pleasure that is nearly impossible to forget. And every time I think about it, about his fingers, his tongue, his voice everything inside of me turns to goo. It messes with my brain and my heart.

“Okay,” she tilts her head. “Then what?”

“When I was arrested the other day. The cop pushed me against the wall. It’s a little scratch. I’m fine.”

“You were arrested?” She turns toward Ivan. “Did you know that?”

He lifts a shoulder. “I figured she’d want to tell you herself.”

“What were you arrested for?” She asks, while still giving him a murderous look.

“A cop did that to her?” Alexander joins the conversation. He’s taller than Ivan, but only by a hair. His build is just as broad and strong as Lev and Ivan. I’m surrounded by giants.

“It’s been taken care of,” Lev says.

“What does that mean?” I ask.

He merely lifts his shoulders. “It means it’s taken care of.”

“More than likely it means someone lost a finger or hand,” Kaz turns the corner into the room with us.

He’s dressed more casually than the others in a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt. His hair is brushed back, still damp from a shower.

From behind him, a young woman enters the room. She’s obviously related to the Volkov men. She has the same high cheekbones, and dark eyes. There’s a familiarity to her. I’ve seen her before somewhere.

She was at Nicolette’s going away dinner— Elana. The youngest sister. But it’s something else that’s jogging a memory. I’ve seen her outside of that, but I still can’t place it.

“Nice of you to show up.” Alexander frowns.

“Not my fault this time, brother. Your little sister here was the one dragging her feet.”

“I was on a phone call,” she shrugs. When she scans the room, she catches my gaze. She seems to recognize me, as well.

“Hi.” I give a polite nod of my head. I’m way out of my league here with all of these people.

“Alexander, Kaz this is Maxine.” Lev nods toward me. “Max, the Volkovs.”

“Such a sweeping endorsement. He says our name like he’s introducing her to the mob.” Kaz gives a lazy smile.