Chapter Fourteen Sarah #2
“Maybe you could let them know you’re on a work trip or something,” he suggested.
“Sure.”
At the sound of a high-pitched chirp, Lev whirled around. My calico cat, Voxie, came strolling in. Since she never met a stranger, she made a beeline for Lev.
“So that’s the cat we gotta take,” he remarked with disgust.
“Not a fan of cats, huh?”
With a shrug, he replied, “I could give a shit less. It’s Maksim rearranging his life for it.”
Frowning, I asked, “Does he not like them?”
“He’s allergic.”
I gasped. “He is?”
He grimaced. “Fuck. I wasn’t supposed to tell you that.”
“If he’s allergic, why would he agree to let me bring Voxie?”
Lev crossed his tattooed arms over his chest. “Come on, Doc. You’re way too smart for that question.”
“Because he’s desperate for me to treat him.”
A smirk curved on his lips. “He’s desperate all right, but more for you not to hate him.”
“And he thinks I’ll change my mind about that just because he let me have my cat?”
“Yep. And which is why the podonok is taking allergy shots, so he doesn’t end up croaking.”
“Wait, what’s a…” With a shake of my head, I replied, “That word you called him.”
“A podonok?”
“Yeah, that one.”
He grinned. “A fucker.”
A laugh burst from my lips at the description of Maksim, but I quickly sobered my expression. “He’s really arranged to have allergy shots?”
“Yeah.”
“Jesus,” I muttered.
Snorting, Lev replied, “I thought the same thing. But I don’t know why I’m surprised. When Maksim commits to something or someone, he’s all in.”
Feeling overwhelmed by the turn the conversation had taken, I jerked my thumb towards the hall. “Um, I’m going to my bedroom to grab my things. Make yourself at home.”
Lev narrowed his eyes. “I assume I can trust you not to do anything stupid.”
“Do you seriously think I’d jump out of a six-story window?”
He threw up his hand. “Hell if I know. You could try to text for help, or hang a banner out the window.”
Shaking my head, I argued, “I’ve committed myself to helping Maksim, and I will see it through.”
Lev gave me an astonished look. “You know, I didn’t believe him when he said you refused to take the money and walk.”
“Wait. How do you know about that?”
“I was texting with him in the car.”
“Oh,” I murmured. Reflecting on his words, I asked, “Why didn’t you believe him?”
“I thought it was just some bullshit he was saying so we wouldn’t think he was crazy for kidnapping you.”
“The Beast kidnapped me,” I corrected.
“Whatever. My point is you really are decent. You know, to stay and help him and not just make it about the money.”
“Thanks. I think.”
Chuckling, he replied, “You’re welcome.”
As I turned away from him, my jangled emotions took another confusing turn. I shouldn’t have cared what Lev thought of me considering he had a part in my kidnapping. Despite that valid argument, I still did.
After I got into my room, I went over to my closet.
With a groan, I grabbed out the larger piece of my luggage set since my other one I’d taken to the hunt.
Unzipping it, I then tossed it on the bed before snatching and grabbing clothes from my drawers and closet.
Since I had no idea what all my captivity would entail, I packed a wide array of styles.
I didn’t bother going into the bathroom since I’d already packed my toiletries and makeup for the hunt. Since I wanted to feel at home at Maksim’s, I grabbed a handled bag and threw in the quilt my grandmother made, some photos of my family and the guys, and some of Voxie’s toys.
Even though I imagined he would give me shit about it, I went to get Lev to help me carry it all.
When I came out of the bedroom, I heard strange noises coming from the living room.
Frowning, I walked down the hallway and peeked around the corner.
Lev had one of Voxie’s multicolored ribbons on a stick and was flipping it through the air.
Since she always went crazy for a ribbon, Voxie was leaping through the air and pawing wildly.
In the most adorable baby voice, Lev crooned, “Does the pretty girl like her ribbon?”
I clapped my hand over my mouth to muffle my laughter. I couldn’t believe a big, tough mafia-type man could be reduced to baby talk by my cat. It was so endearing, I couldn’t help staying stock-still to watch them interact for a few moments.
When I finally cleared my throat, Lev dropped the ribbon stick and whirled around.
Ducking his head, he tried hiding his red face. “Are you fucking done?”
“I just need to get Voxie’s food.”
“Then fucking do it.”
Trying to keep a straight face, I asked, “While I’m doing that, could you get the pretty girl into her carrier for me?”
Lev jerked his head up to glare at me. “Vseznayka.”
“While I don’t speak Russian, I can imagine you probably just called me a bitch, right?”
“I called you a smartass.”
With a grin, I replied, “Hmm, I think I earned that.”
To my surprise, the corners of Lev’s lips quirked. “You got balls, you know that?”
“Not that I was aware of.”
Lev snorted. “You know, you remind me a lot of my sisters.”
“I’m assuming that is a compliment?”
He grinned. “Both Mila and Kira are smartasses.”
“Then I’m sure we’d get along well.”
“Let me guess. You give your brothers shit like my sisters do us?”
My eyes widened. “You were listening to me,” I remarked.
Lev laughed. “Like I had a choice.”
“Now who's the smartass?”
“Whatever,” he replied, but he still smiled.
“Anyway, I came out here to see if you could help me with my bags.”
“Jesus, how much shit are you taking?”
“See, I already know you too well because I knew you’d bitch about it.”
Huffing, he replied, “Fine. I’ll go get the bags, and you get the cat.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
As I watched his retreating form, I shook my head. I’m not sure if there was a branch of Stockholm Syndrome where you found the brother of your captive adorable.