“You never told me how you landed this job, or whatever I should call it.” Greer says from beside me.
I glance over to her for a split second, “Sorry. What do you mean?”
“This. Babysitting Sloane and I before we head to Ireland.”
“Oh, you forgot Leti.”
“Don’t evade my prying, Aleksandr.” Greer grumbles.
“I’m not. Liam and I have been friends since we were small. There aren’t many people he’d trust with his sister’s safety, and since he’s known Aleksei and I since we were small, he felt confident in our ability to—”
“Protect us, blah, blah, blah. I know you’ve probably rehearsed that half a dozen times, but will you just stop the façade and tell me? Things have been kept from me my entire life, or I’ve been lied to. Regardless, I’m not a fan of either and I’d appreciate it if you just told me the truth. And I mean all of it.”
She doesn’t want the whole truth. The girl wouldn’t be able to handle it all. Returning my eyes to the road, I focus in on the scene before me. I know back in Russia deer are horrible for jumping in front of your vehicle, so I should probably keep my guard up for the same thing here.
“I’m from a mafia family, like yours.” I say it before I change my mind, offering a bit of the truth.
“Oh. Um . . .” Greer grows quiet for a moment, almost not expecting what I’ve admitted to her.
“Is everything alright?” I ask, keeping my eyes on the road. I don’t want to glance at her, afraid that if I do, I’ll give her too much information.
“Yeah. Just trying to figure out how to ask this.”
“Wait.”
“Huh?”
Unable to hold myself back, I look over to her and get caught in her periwinkle eyes. “Whatever you’re about to ask me. Don’t. Not yet. Just . . . give me more time. I don’t want you to judge me for anything besides what you experience when we’re with each other. I want you to make your decision on if I’m good or bad based on that, Greer. Not anything else.”
“Aleksandr, I don’t . . . I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”
Looking back to the road, I relax my shoulders a bit, realizing I tensed up when she became curious. I’m too worried her questions might fuck up what I’m trying to do. God, that’s horrible, isn’t it?
I see a row of brick buildings coming up in front of us in the distance, with small wooden signs supported by metal brackets. “It looks like we’re here. Hope you know what you want,” I say, changing the subject. With any luck she won’t ask more questions. Not yet. I need more time before she realizes who I am, or who my father is.
If she discovers it now, everything I’m working toward will be for nothing. Liam was right the other day. She can’t know who I am. At least, not yet.
One day I will tell her, but if things go according to plan, she’ll already be in love with me.
Chapter Eighteen
He was a dangerous sin, wrapped in angelic eyes; it made my heart pound with distrust and my mind cloud with bewilderment.
~ A.L. Nash
Greer
February 12th
I fell asleep on the plane like a newborn baby that just had a tit full of milk. Probably felt about the same too. Aleksandr took us to that coffee shop in town back in Vermont and my god . . . I’ve never had a more delicious cinnamon bun in my entire life. I mean, the icing was dripping off the edge. If that wasn’t enough, I took a bite inside and it was stuffed like a jelly donut.
So. Fucking. Good.
“I know you’re here to work, but you can’t just walk in with a guy like that and not give me all the details.” Brooklyn laughs, sitting on the vanity in front of me while a member of her team dabs bronzer on my cheekbones and forehead.
“He’s a friend,” I tell her, not sure what else I can say. I sure as fuck can’t tell her the truth.
“You don’t even wanna know how many times I’ve heard that line.”
“I’m serious, Brook.” I call her by her common nickname. Anyone who’s in any way close to her has the authority to chop a few letters off. Considering I’ve been working with her company for a few years now, I’ve earned that right.
“Girl, you better spill, like right now. I’m an old, married, mom. I’ve got nothin’ good to tell you.”
“You aren’t old!” I berate her. She might be ten years or so older than me. “Stop with that shit, and I’m so serious.”
“Do you see these crow’s feet? I’m aging, babe, and it’s coming fast.”
I stare at her blankly, knowing she could go get some Botox and that would disappear like it never existed in the first place. But Brooklyn would never. She’s all about staying as natural as possible and putting the healthiest things inside her body. It’s the mission behind her makeup line. Her mom died from breast cancer years ago, so Brooklyn set out on a mission to do the best that she could and make a cruelty, chemical and paraben free makeup line for men and women everywhere. On top of it all, it’s also vegan.
Brooklyn’s dramatic expression shifts to a wide smile, “But, my hyaluronic acid serum has been life changing. Look at these pictures.” She goes on to unlocking her cellphone and showing me selfies of her from two months ago.
“You’re a genius. Hands down.” I tell her, noticing her team member staring me down with an eyeshadow brush in his hand.
I shut my eyes and can hear him take a step toward me. Within a second, the tapping on my eyeshadow begins and I cannot wait to see the magical look Brooklyn has told him to put on me. I’m simply a canvas and the artist is the one tapping away, giving me a slight fear like he might impale me.
Brooklyn laughs, “So, what’re your plans later? Are you going to come down to Mason’s with your friend?”
I shrug, “Maybe. I hadn’t thought about it. Do you want me to come down?”
“Um, yeah. Logan and I planned the night with Selena and Christian. We were gonna have some celebratory drinks since the campaign is shooting today. Please come. It’ll be so much fun and I’d love for you to be there.”
God, how can I say no to that? Who knows when we’re actually going to Ireland and I can’t keep being cooped up in a house? I’m not used to that. If I had my way, I’d be strolling around town doing whatever I wanted. Going on hikes, exploring the area, having some of those food coma cinnamon buns again. The possibilities would be endless.
“Okay, I’ll come, but if he asks, I’m saying it’s a work event and I’m contracted to go.” I laugh at the end, which I’m sure it’s getting a devious smirk from my friend here, but considering her guy is still going at it on my eyes I guess I’ll be left in the pit of suspense.
“Greer, I will say whatever you need me to. Hell, if you want me to throw a fit and say I’m going to fire you if you don’t show up, I’ll do it.”
Ridiculous laughter takes over me, “God, you’re the best type of friend to have.”
“Mhm, and you’d better remember it, sweetie.”
“Alright, I’m done. Just need to get some of our new all-natural faux lashes on you and a bit of eyeliner. Then we’re good to go, babe.” Her team member tells me.
“Oh gosh, that looks amazing!” Brooklyn slides off the vanity and comes right up to me. “Mario, you are a wizard.”
“And your palettes are my potions, baby.”
“If you ever go to someone else, I hope you know I’ll have to kill you, or them. I don’t know. I’ll decide later.” Brooklyn tells him.
“I think you know you’re stuck with me,” He laughs.
“Great,” Brooklyn smirks and looks to me while Mario applies my lashes and swipes some eyeliner on me. “You ready to go rock this campaign shoot?”
“Hell yeah,” I reply, rising from my chair as Mario goes over to the vanity.
“Okay, perfect. I have something I want to ask you later tonight when we have drinks anyway, so feel free to tell your friend that. It’ll be our ruse in getting you there. Sound good?”
I nod, “Sure, but now I’m nervous. It’s not like you to ask me shit after hours.”
Brooklyn puts a hand on her hip and cocks a brow. “It’s not after hours, remember? Gosh. I don’t know how you forgot that already.”
“Can’t you just tell me now and I can fake acting surprised or whatever later?” I ask, almost in a sort of whine. I hate waiting almost as much as I hate surprises and this classifies as a bit of both.
“No, sucks to be you girl, but you’re waiting.” Brooklyn laughs, reveling in my misery.
“You’re a jackass.” I point out.
“And you’re a bitch, now get your ass out here. I’m sure your friend is wondering what’s been taking you so long anyway.”
Chapter Nineteen
In the midst of my chaos, there was you
~ Hephzee.com
Aleksandr
February 12th
My ass has gone numb from sitting on this damn barstool. Who knew taking photos could take this long? Or how many people they have at these shoots. God, they have some sort of monitor behind the camera to look at the images after the photographer takes them.
Brooklyn Steele is still standing directly behind it and cheers Greer on every time she does something she likes. At this point it’s like nails on a chalkboard, or one of those overbearing moms on the field at their kid’s game.
“Alright, I think that’s officially a wrap!” Brooklyn claps her hands and squeals.
Greer walks away from the lavender purple background and heads straight over to Brooklyn. They stand behind the monitor for a couple minutes and scan through some photographs. I hear mumblings of something and Greer walks over in my direction.
“Remember, meet me in an hour at Mason’s. I have something to talk to you about.” Brooklyn hollers over to Greer.
Greer stops right in her tracks and looks back to Brooklyn. “Okay, I’ll see you there.”
“Perfect. It’s the first night without both the kids too, Emmett and Leona are with the sitter. Time to mix business and pleasure!” Brooklyn is all smiles and now I get it. She’s without her children. In America mothers are held to an agonizing standard. Obviously I’m not a woman so I don’t understand it, but I’ve heard it from my father’s associates, how their wives are happy they don’t live in America and moved to Russia, the Ukraine, or wherever else they may be.
Greer makes her way across the studio over to where I’m standing. “I need to change but give me five minutes and I’ll be ready to head back to the hotel.”
I nod and stick close behind her.
She stops and looks back at me. “Um, are you following me in?”
“No, but I’ll clear the room and stand outside the door to wait for you.”
“What? Is an eyelash curler going to kill me?”
Jesus. She doesn’t realize how she is in danger. My father would be the type who does shit just to scare her, to make it look like I’m really here to protect her from whatever I can. I walk in front of her and push the door open and as I thought, no one is in here, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. I head out through the door and Greer walks past me. It clicks shut and I lean against the wall, waiting for her to get changed so we can head back to the hotel.
The hotel room we’re sharing. It was one of Liam’s only requirements, that if Greer had a job I would be in the same room as her. Deep down I know he wants his sister to be protected, considering my father is such a wildcard. But, there’s part of me that wonders if he’s fully supportive of what I plan on doing, and how I plan on doing it.
Liam has grown up in the same life as I have. He knows what is standard when it comes to mafia families marrying into one another to solidify alliances. After all, what’s more firm than a marriage and children?
Nothing.
It’s rarely ever gone south after a marriage. Signing the marriage license is essentially signing a peace treaty.
The door creaks open from behind me, signifying Greer is ready. She comes up beside me and looks pretty damn gorgeous in some casual shit. There’s no doubt in my mind why she’s one of the brand ambassadors for a makeup line. And I only know that because she told me on the plane ride before she passed out. How she likes representing this brand because of what it stands for. Greer and I didn’t have much conversation while we were in the air since she fell asleep, but we did get into how she picks who she’s working for, or with. I found out it’s her modeling agency who sets her up with jobs and that’s how she got this one, but she has the right to not audition for specific jobs if she feels like it doesn’t fit her branding or image on social media.
“You ready?” I question.
She nods, “Yeah. I’m ready to relax for a while. I’m kinda beat.”
“What, is looking beautiful exhausting?” Shit. That came out really corny.
A red color flushes over her cheeks and I notice how she gnaws on her bottom lip a little. “It’s a little bit mentally exhausting.”
“Ah, I see.” Which is a total lie. I don’t see. I have no fucking clue what it takes to do her job.
“Let’s get going. I think our drive is ten minutes or whatever.” The hotel we’re staying in is also owned by the Steele family. Go figure. I’m pretty sure they own over half of Atlanta, if not the entire thing.
“Yep. Want coffee or anything?” I ask her as we make our way through the studio and wave our goodbyes.
“Yeah, coffee would be great.” Greer replies as we make our way down the hallway of Brooklyn’s office.
“Figured you need it if we’re staying up all night.”
Greer’s face flushes bright red again and she stops, “Sorry, what did you say?”
She keeps blushing like crazy today, it’s making me think she has a little crush on me. I guess doing the dark and mysterious bit is working. Hell, I’ll take it. “We have to go out, so I figured we’d need coffee to keep us going all night long,” I pause and wait for a few seconds on purpose, “You know, to stay awake for whatever Brooklyn needs from you.”
“Yeah, mhm.” Greer nods, taking it upon herself to walk a few steps ahead of me. I try hard not to smile but fuck I can’t.
This woman has the hots for me and I’d be a fucking liar if I said she doesn’t make my dick twitch. With any luck, everything will go according to plan without her even knowing a thing.
Chapter Twenty
The truth is rarely pure and never simple
~ Oscar Wilde
Greer
February 12th
What a bastard, taunting me like that before we grabbed coffee. It’s been almost an hour and I still can’t get that mischievous smirk of his out of my mind. Every single time I blink it flashes before me. The way his eyes were trained on mine for a few long seconds before he’d act like he wasn’t making sly remarks.
Huffing out a breath I run my hands over the moss green snakeskin dress I designed and sewed. My degree isn’t something for show, it’s because I genuinely want to create clothes and sell them. Most of my closet is actually my own creations. I mean, why would I go outside and spend money on shit when I could do a better job myself?
Looking in the mirror, I know I’m ready for this evening. The color varies from a moss green to a leaf and emerald green through the dress, showing a different color at various angles like an actual snake would.
The dress was inspired by modern prints with a retro style. There’s a deep cut to show off the little cleavage I actually have, but on someone with a bigger bust, they’d love this part. While it ends just above the knees, slimming down to the tight pencil skirt look.
“You ready? We’re going to be late.” Aleksandr calls out from the other side of the bathroom.
I grab the bottle of hairspray in front of me and give it one last spray, then run my hands through my hair, giving it a little bit more volume. Heading to the door, I pull it open and spot Aleksandr in an all-black suit. Honestly, he looks dashing. I assumed he’d look phenomenal in dark greens, reds, and blues . .
. but black might be this guy’s color.
“Whoa, you look . . .”
“Horrible. I know. That’s what took me so long.” I joke, pouting to add effect.
Aleksandr chuckles lightly. “I’m starting to like your sense of humor. It’s adorable,” he pauses for a moment and offers me his arm, “Mind if I escort you downstairs?”
Mason’s is a restaurant Brooklyn owns and it’s on the lower level of the building our hotel is at. The top twenty or so floors are a mixture of elite condos, and a hotel is mixed in with this building. It’s so neat. My favorite part about coming into the cities are things like this. Unique, yet quirky.
I hook my arm through Aleksandr’s and we exit our hotel room, head down the hallway and get into the elevator. Even though we’re inside he still keeps his arm looped with mine. I don’t get it, but I just roll with the punches at this point.
He catches my gaze fixated on him and cocks a brow, “Do I want to know what’s on your mind?”
I glance down to the floor for a second, “I doubt it.” My reply may illude to the fact I’m thinking about something devious, but the reality is I’m not. I just want to get down to see Brooklyn and find out exactly what’s going on.
“Now you look worried,” Aleksandr points out.
“Worried, no. A bit curious though, for sure.”
“About?”
I shrug and release the breath I’ve been holding in for a little too long. Looking up at him, I respond. “Brooklyn told me today she wants to talk to me about something for work. Of course, she didn’t give me the slightest indication of what it’s about, so, I’m nervous.”
“I don’t know why you’re worried. I highly doubt it’s something bad. Brooklyn seems to think very fondly of you, given what I witnessed today.”
Corrupted Love: A Dark Mafia Romance (Mackenzies Book 2) Page 9