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She didn’t add that he was good at bed or that the way he teased her awakened flames in her veins.
“I think he would have been a good guy if he wasn’t born into the mafia. He’s good at heart, and he’s never been this obsessed with a woman before he met you.”
“Obsessed?”
“For Lev, it’s always been one-night stands. But he married you, and he went against his brother doing so. I can’t call it love, but I hope it turns into something like that for the two of you—if you don’t betray him, that is.”
“I won’t make promises to you, Big K, if that’s what you’re aiming for.” Although she knew she wouldn’t betray Lev for anything, she would leave him if she got the chance. After all, this wasn’t what she wanted; she was forced into it.
“I don’t expect you to, but he’s like a brother to me, and I don’t want him getting hurt. He’s been through enough.” He paused as if weighing his decision before deciding to tell her. “Rival mafia families murdered his parents. Lev couldn’t live with himself for it and moved away from Chicago. He only came back after his brother took a break to be with his family.”
Oh… I didn’t know that.” Zia felt a pang of pity for Lev. His story was similar to hers, except she’d never met her father, and she didn’t have the power to find his killers.
During breakfast, she’d considered asking Lev to help her find out how her father really died. All her mother told her was that he’d been investigating an Irish mafia family before his death. He was framed and murdered afterward. She needed to get justice for him, but she had no idea how.
She had to bring it up to Lev, somehow—but at dinner tonight.
They continued the rest of the drive to the mall in silence. Zia rested her head on the window, occupied by her own thoughts, until Konstantin pulled the car to a curb in front of the mall building almost an hour later.
“We’re here,” he said, calling her attention.
Zia looked up to see the imposing building of the largest shopping mall in Chicago looming above her. She hadn’t been here before, but she’d heard the shops here only sold designer items, nothing more. “Are you sure we’re in the right place?”
“Chief asked me to bring you here. He made a reservation for you.” He unbuckled his seatbelt, opened his door, and slid out of the car. He didn’t walk away this time; he rounded the car and opened the door in the backseat for Zia. “Come on.”
Zia got out of the car and smiled at him. “Thank you.”
Konstantin only tsked and led the way inside. He knew everywhere so well, as if he’d been there several times before. Of course, he had; Lev must’ve always had his flings shop here; there was no other explanation.
As much as she itched to ask and complain, she just wanted to get some clothes and leave. She wasn’t in love with Lev. She was only attracted to him; why would she care what he did before she met him?
Konstantin stopped in front of a store that sold women’s bags, shoes, and clothes. It was enormous, and the quality of the dresses hanging on the mannequins was blinding. She could tell even from afar how expensive they would be.
A woman in her forties hurried out with two assistants behind her. She had a wide smile on her face as her gaze bounced from Konstantin to Zia and then back to Konstantin. They exchanged greetings in Russia.
Zia didn’t speak Russia, so she didn’t bother to try and understand whatever it was they were saying. She fed her eyes instead, squinting to see the price tag that caught her attention from a shelf several feet away from her.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Nikolai,” the woman said excitedly.
Zia turned to her. It took a moment for her to register that she was Mrs. Nikolai now, no longer Ms. Kincaid. She immediately smiled back at the woman. “It’s a pleasure to meet you too…”
“Olivia,” the woman helped her complete. “You’re so beautiful. You could actually be a model if you wanted.”
Zia flushed. “Thank you. You’re so pretty, too.”
“That’s kind of you,” the woman, Olivia, said. “Come, I’ll show you some of our latest collection of dresses. Fortunately, everything will go perfectly on your skin tone.”
For some reason, Zia found herself spinning around to ask Konstantin if it was okay to go inside. He nodded, and she followed Olivia inside.
Three hours later, she was exhausted, hungry, and had spent thousands of dollars on the clothes. Her gut twinged with guilt at how much she’d spent. She wondered if Lev would be impressed or angry when he got the debit.
Angry was more likely, but he’d told her to spend as much as she wanted. He couldn’t blame her if she’d taken it that far.
Konstantin helped her carry some of the bag—most of it actually.
A jewelry shop for men caught Zai’s attention just as they were leaving the shop. Since she’d spent so much of Lev’s money, it would only make sense for her to get something for him.
“Um—Big K?”
