She had just poured herself a cup when Lev joined her in the kitchen.
“Do you want some?” Sofia asked.
Lev didn’t answer. He looked through the fridge and took out a bottle of beer. After opening it, he took a long pull.
All that while, he watched her with pale-gray eyes similar to Maxim’s.Don’t let him get to you. Pretend his presence doesn’t give you the creeps.
“You shouldn’t be drinking on the job,” Sofia told him.
“This? I’m off duty,” Lev said.
“But you wanted to check on Maxim first before clocking out? That’s sweet of you. Don’t worry, I haven’t poisoned him or anything like that,” she said.
Lev slowly set his bottle down. Was it her imagination or had the room suddenly turned chilly?
“That was a joke, Lev,” she said conversationally.
Lev furrowed his brow, then nodded. “You’re not like most women I have met, Sofia Bianchi.”
“How so?” Sofia asked, tightening the belt of her robe.
Of course, she knew Lev wouldn’t do anything to her, but only her husband had the privilege of seeing her naked.
Her husband. Was Sofia already thinking of Maxim in those terms despite the uneasy conversation they had earlier?
“Most women ignore me or try to get out of my way,” Lev answered.
“Doesn’t that hold true for most people?” Sofia asked, recalling the conversation she had with Aunt Elena. She had told Sofia she was lucky it was Maxim Sofia was marrying and not his psychotic brother.
Lev smiled at her, and that smile looked wrong on him, like he was trying too hard. Maxim held a darkness in him, but at least Sofia’s husband could pass for normal.
“My brother can never hold on to a woman for long. The other men are making bets on how long you would last,” Lev said.
That sure sounded ominous. Fear crept down her spine, but Sofia refused to show this psychotic monster that his words unnerved her.
“And you? What’s your opinion?” Sofia asked him.
Lev seemed to give her question some thought. “I think Maxim might have finally met his match.”
“Gossiping about me already?” asked an amused voice.
Maxim entered the kitchen, dressed only in a pair of boxers. He took the unoccupied stool next to her and used her glass to pour himself some water.
“My shift’s over. Samuel is taking over,” Lev told his brother.
“I see. I’ll see you in the morning. Try to get some sleep,” Maxim said.
Lev hesitated.
Maxim continued, “I assure you I’ll still be alive by tomorrow.”
Lev grunted, then exited the suite. “The two of you are close,” Sofia observed. “He’s loyal to you.”
“Lev understands loyalty to the family,” he said, taking a sip of water.
“Is this your way of bringing up our conversation earlier?” Sofia demanded.
Maxim set his glass down. She froze when he touched her cheek, looking thoughtful.
“No, I’m simply remarking on Lev’s character. Think of my brother as a faithful hunting dog. He’ll never betray us.”
“Did we wake you?” Sofia asked him.
“No. I woke up to an empty bed and wondered where my new wife was,” Maxim said. “Let’s head back. Get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow will be another busy day.”
“Okay,” she agreed. Maxim offered Sofia his hand, and she took it uncertainly. She allowed him to lead her back to the bed.