11. CHAPTER 11

11

JULES

Fucking Lev. I swear the guy can see into my mind like clear glass. And why the hell did he bring up the threesomes? Was he trying to embarrass me or make me out to be some kind of whore? Even though he wears the title of manwhore like a damn crown. Lev is not only a beast when it comes to his job and family, but he is on another level with the way he treats the women we’ve taken to bed. Completely feral. God help anyone who manages to get him to settle down, although the chances of that are as likely as unicorns flying out of my ass. I also didn't like the way he eye-fucked Kai. I need to keep him away, because Kai wouldn’t be able to handle Lev and his sadistic nature. Kai just needs to focus on his job and to have more focus in his life. But what if Kai likes Lev? I swear to god, I’m gonna punch myself for these stupid thoughts, because why the hell should I care so much? He’s an adult. It’s just because I’m concerned. He’s family. That’s all.

“You’re too fucking obvious,” Lev says as he takes the seat beside me. After the meeting, I brought Kai back into the main club to get him familiar with the layout and for him to get to know the workers here. Kai is currently talking to Simon over at the bar while I sit here festering in my confusion of all this anger and possessiveness my nephew brings out of me. Instead of watching the show on stage, I’ve been solely focused on every move Kai makes and wanting to smack Simon for standing so close to him. Ridiculous.

“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play dumb. You wanna fuck your nephew.”

“ Step -nephew. We aren’t blood-related, and he’s also a guy,” I say defensively. I think Lev has the memo, as I’ve reminded him and everyone else a million times over already.

“Still not hearing that you don't wanna fuck him. If it makes you feel better, he wants you too.”

I glare over at Lev, hoping it burns him to the ground. He talks such bullshit, and I want to wipe that arrogant grin off his face. I’ve never seen him smile as much as he has today, courtesy of all his meddling.

“Shut the hell up, Lev. I think you've done enough shit-stirring tonight.”

“So you won’t mind me giving his ass a go then? It would be a sin to let a hottie like him pass me by.”

Just the idea of that has my blood pressure so high I should be dead. Unable to control the red haze of anger at the thought of Lev touching Kai, I find myself forgetting who I’m talking to and lean across the table.

“Don’t you fucking dare! You keep your hands off him.”

I’m so lost in the maze of frustration and anger that Kai has managed to bring out of me in the last twenty-four hours, that I leave myself unguarded as Lev’s large hand grabs me around the throat and the teasing sparkle in those green eyes morph into pure violence.

“Watch it, Jules. I don’t mind removing that disrespectful tongue if it teaches you a lesson in respect. Understand?”

The grip he has on my throat has me clutching the arms of my seat. If I show panic, Lev will think I’m weak, so I try to calm my thoughts and my breathing until I feel his hand slowly loosen before leaving my throat completely.

“I understand. I just want him focused.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night, nephew fucker. Ain’t no shame in wanting him, though. Now get him home. I want him out meeting the crews tomorrow and showing him the ropes.”

I stand with a nod in acknowledgment and walk over to where Kai is talking to Simon. Kai eyes me with concern, making me think he just saw my interaction with Lev.

“Time to go. You’re shadowing me tomorrow so we need to get some rest. You coming, Si?” I say.

“I’ll stick around and head back with Lev,” Simon says, but his eyes are focused over my shoulder. I turn to see where he is looking and it’s no surprise that he’s staring down Carlos, who is smirking back at Simon.

“Or are you staying to have another showdown with Carlos?” I say, smiling when Simon looks back at me, brows furrowed that I’ve called him out. Something is definitely off with those two.

“The fucker deserves to be beat down. I hate him and his arrogant ass. Always looking down his nose at me,” Simon says, with a sharp sneer on his lips, like the idea of Carlos has left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“Who’s Carlos?” Kai asks.

“He's that smug fucker in the pretentious suit who is staring at us. He’s Lev and Dima’s distributor. Take my advice and keep away from him. Nothing but trouble,” Simon says.

“He’s not that bad. I get along with him fine. Ignore him, Kai,” I say as I nudge Kai’s arm and tilt my head, signaling for us to leave.

“Whatever,” Simon grumbles and walks away toward Lev, who is still sitting at his table, smoking his cigar and watching over the club like a King watching his congregation at court.

“That was weird,” Kai says as we walk toward the exit.

“Yeah, Si hates Carlos and Carlos loves to push his buttons.”

“You mean they want each other?”

“I think Carlos wants Si. But I’m not sure if Si would stab Carlos if he touched him.”

“Is there anyone normal that works here?”

That makes me laugh, because he’s right. We’re all crazy and tainted.

“I think your best option is Seb, for any normal conversation, although that disappears whenever he’s near Dima.”

“That's something, I suppose.”

It is. At least Seb is the closest to a normal human among us. But the longer you spend with this fucked up family, the crazy seems to spread like a disease. Infecting every part of your being until you’re living and breathing the brutal life that ironically saved us all in some way.

As we get into my car and head home in silence, I pray to god that Kai doesn't lose himself completely.