She blinked up at him, seeming confused. “No. I’m fine. Thanks.”
I had to turn to smile at Nas. She smiled back, rolling her eyes. It seemed I wasn’t the only one who’d had it with Anika’s flirting.
I would hate to make a scene today, but totally would if I needed to. She needed to watch herself around me. I might have been small, but I could be vicious when triggered.
Vik sat on the edge of the pool, handing both Nas and me a fruity cocktail each. I smiled in thanks as he lifted his beer to us. We raised our drinks in cheers and sipped in the relaxing setting.
I was beginning to think I was a major douchebag for not wanting to come here today. Sasha even came across as civil. I was glad to be here.
Nas turned to me. “So,” she started. “You speak to Alessio yet?”
I beamed. “Yes. He messaged me yesterday so I’d have his number, and we’ve been texting ever since.” My smile softened. “He’s actually not a bad guy.”
Sasha snorted as he slipped into the pool. “Yeah, well, you never seen him go at your throat with a fucking blade the size of King Kong’s dick.”
I turned to scowl at him. “You fucked his wife.”
Sasha sipped his beer and shrugged. “He shoulda kept her on a closer leash.”
I groaned. “God, you’re a pig.”
He grinned in that slimy way I hated. “You know it, Mina.”
“I seriously pity the girl who ends up with you,” I muttered as I shook my head in sympathy for the poor unknowing girl that would marry Sasha.
His face fell, but he probed. “So, Scar Face Scarfo is your brother. He’s shouting that shit from the rooftops.” He eyed me. “How’d you talk him into claiming you? Said he didn’t want no sister. Now he does. I’m curious. What did you have to do?”
He wanted me to take the bait. He wanted a fight.
He wouldn’t get one.
I sipped my cocktail and shrugged. “He regretted treating me the way he did. He apologized and I got over it. I’m not discussing private details with you, Sash. All you need to know is that my brother and I are working to repair our relationship.”
He titled his head slightly. “You tell him shit about the club?”
My face flushed. I had told him some, but nothing important. “Not really. He asked why we’re shutting down. I told him something big is coming.” I grinned. “I might’ve told him to expect his competition to return with a bang.”
Sasha’s eyes searched me. “Oh yeah? What did he have to say about that?”
I pinned him with a stare. “He wishes us good luck. And he meant it.”
Nas piped in. “That’s nice of him.” She muttered sincerely, “That’s really cool, Mina.”
I smiled. My brother was actually a decent guy. It made my heart warm.
Vik spoke matter-of-factly, “Yeah, but it’s not like he still doesn’t want to slice Sasha up into chopped liver.”
I was in full agreement. “We haven’t talked about it much, but I’m sure he does.” I glanced at Sasha before turning my eyes away, wanting to make my point in perfect calm. “What Sasha did to his face changed him. He’s a shell of the person he used to be.” I shrugged. “I don’t really blame him for wanting revenge, to be honest.” A shiver went through me. “Can you imagine how that must feel? To have your wife cheat on you with not just another man, but a rival, then to have to wear those scars forever, reminding you daily of something you’d rather not recall?” Silence passed through the group. “He can’t forget it, no matter how hard he tries.” I spoke quietly, “What Sasha did won’t let him.”
The silence encompassed the group for a short while as we sipped our drinks in quiet. But soon enough, Vik had us laughing about something stupid, and when Lev joined me in the pool, carrying me on his back, I was quickly reminded this unlikely group of people meant something to me. I might not have a complete family, but I was a Scarfo by blood and a Leokov in my heart.
I felt safe in the knowledge that I had more family than what I started with.
And Lev was more than that.
He was home.