I was mesmerized.
She was gorgeous. Absolutely stunning.
Her heart-shaped face looked too thin, but her mouth was small, full and pink. Her green eyes were large and expressive, framed prettily with long, dark lashes. She was pale, her skin unblemished. She had black makeup smudged under her eyes, but I could see the beauty she tried to hide from the world. And what a rare beauty she was.
Her expression soft, she avoided eye contact and dipped her chin as she spoke. “I want to thank you for your kindness tonight. Not many people would have done what you did.” Her rosebud mouth quirked into an awkward smile. “I owe you. More than you’ll ever know.”
Feeling mildly uncomfortable of her thanks, I turned off the car, ignoring her suddenly anxious expression. “Are you able to get yourself to the club tomorrow by seven? If you can’t, I’ll have someone pick you up.”
I would pick her up.
Her brow bunched and she bit the inside of her bottom lip, thinking. “I think so. I don’t have a watch, but I’ll make sure I’m there, even if I’m early.”
I pulled up my shirtsleeve, undid the latch on my Tag Heuer watch, and handed it to her. She frowned at me. “What…?” When I did not retrieve the watch, her eyes widened. “I can’t take that.”
I fought to control my anger. Gritting my teeth, I spoke calmly. “You can give it back to me tomorrow.”
Her expression turned panicked. “Do you know what would happen if someone saw me with that? I’d get mugged!”
I scowled. Just let them try. I fucking dare them. “Then I’ll buy another.”
The change in her expression was so sudden that I blinked. She took the watch carefully and muttered, “Must be nice to have that much money.”
Shame caused me to flush, and my anger showed itself. I snapped, “Do you need a ride or not?”
“No.”
She held the fast food bag tightly and peeked over at me before evading my inscrutable gaze. “I’m Mina.”
“Mina,” I tested it out. It felt good on my tongue. “I’m Lev.”
She opened the door and stepped out, leaning down into the open space. “Thank you, Lev. For everything. I’ll work hard.” She smiled tiredly. “You won’t regret it.”
My stomach flipped at her sweet smile. “Goodnight, Mina.”
She lowered her lashes. “Goodnight.”
I watched her walk down an alley connecting to the street behind, waited until she was out of sight then started the car and drove two blocks down.
With a light sigh, I parked my car, turned the lights off, and waited.
Chapter Five
Mina
My God, but was Lev intense or what?
The car drove away and I waited a full two minutes before I walked out of the alley and started the three-block walk down to my alley.
I fanned my face thinking about him. Gods above, he was simply divine.
I looked down at myself, my face heating. Here I was, thinking about my handsome guardian angel, and I looked like an extra from the movie Swamp Thing.
I hugged myself tightly with my free arm. Clutching the watch in my hand, I decided not to risk losing it and put it on. Unfortunately, as I struggled with the latch, I realized a little too late that even in the smallest position, it was too loose. Still, I pushed it up my forearm.
I would return this watch, dammit. Even if it was the last thing I ever did.
The bag of food by my side, I walked hastily. I didn’t want to risk any unwanted attention tonight. I needed to get home quickly.
Finally, I reached my destination and, moving behind the dumpster, I fished out my bag of miscellaneous crap.
Great. All my clothes were dirty. Not that I had much, but at least I could wear my too-big black jeans and my white tee. I held up the garments, immediately spotting the brown stain on the once-white shirt.
I’d have to do laundry tomorrow. But, shit, I still had no money.