Alessio looked down at the details before folding it up and slipping it into his pocket. “This is a good start. I’ll let you know if I find anything.” He looked up at me. “I’ll call.”
I held out my hand and he took it, not shaking it, just holding it. And my heart ached. Today had gone well. I didn’t want him to go. I wanted to know more about him. I wanted to talk from dusk till dawn until there was nothing left to say.
My eyes bright, I asked on a whisper, “Can I hug you?”
He blinked down at me. His response came in the form of him tugging the hand he held, pulling me to him until his arms wrapped around me, and his warmth blanketed me. Reaching up, I gripped the sides of his tee and rested my head on his chest, closing my eyes, just taking in this special moment.
He was tall and warm, and it felt right. I felt safe with my big brother, just as I should have.
His voice thick, he spoke quietly. “I’m so sorry, Mina.”
“It’s okay, Alessio,” I reassured. “It’s over and done with. Forgotten. We’re good.”
He squeezed me tight until someone cleared his throat. We pulled back from each other to find Lev standing in the open doorway, wearing a stoic expression. “Time to go, Alessio.”
I glared at Lev before turning to Alessio and softening my face. “Text me so I have your number, okay?”
Still, he held my hand, almost unwilling to release it. “Yeah, okay.”
Finally, he let go, and I walked him to the door. I picked up the flowers that had been left there forgotten, and smiled. I waved off my brother and stood there, watching him leave.
Strong arms came around my waist, hugging me tight. I lifted a hand and laid it on Lev’s forearm as he asked, “How’d it go?”
My smile was bright. “Good. Really good.”
He sighed softly. “I suppose we’re going to be seeing more of him then.” I turned in his arms to look up at him. At my confused look, he stated, “I don’t like the way he spoke to you that night. I’d like to break his nose.”
I patted his chest. “He apologized. I think meeting me overwhelmed him. I don’t think he was ready to for it.” He grunted and I smiled slowly. “I’m suddenly very tired.” His brow rose. I uttered, “I think we should go back to bed.”
He blinked then smiled. And my heart stuttered.
I squeaked as he lifted me over his shoulder and took the stairs two at a time. The afternoon found our room was filled with the sounds of my moans and Lev’s groans of pleasure.
Really…how better to spend a Saturday?
Chapter ThirtySeven
Mina
Saturday night at Bleeding Hearts, with yet another sparse room of men, had me going to offer advice to a person who did not want it. Perhaps my opinion was unnecessary. Unwarranted. But Lev was invested in this club, and seeing it fail would kill me.
There had to be an alternative.
Sasha sat at his desk glaring at me. I was starting to think he had no other way of looking at me. “Burlesque,” he repeated, and I nodded.
“Yeah. I mean, you wouldn’t have to change much. The girls already know how to dance. The only difference would be that they’d keep some of their clothes on, but be a little flirty with the patrons, tease them. They want to keep their jobs, so even the ones who might not be on board will come around…I think.”
His glare had not evaporated. I didn’t know what his problem was. It was clear things were not going well.
I thought it was a good idea.
I stepped forward. “Listen, I’ve been online. Burlesque is so in right now. And it’s not just men who love it. Men find it sexy, and women don’t find it seedy. I found that a lot of women won’t go into a gentleman’s club, but they would a burlesque joint.” I paused to let that sink in. “You could double your audience.”
“Mina, we’re a gentleman’s club—” he started with that I-know-more-than-you-do tone of his.
I cut him off with a calmly said, “A gentleman’s club that is failing.” His jaw ticked. I added quietly, “We can change this. We don’t have to let Bleeding Hearts fall.”