Lev (Shot Callers, #1)

by Belle Aurora

“I’m not ashamed of who you are. And the only time I would look down on you is if I were helping you back up.”

“Love,” he advised gently, “is a doing word. And sometimes the people who least deserve it are the ones who need it most.” He was right, of course. This conversation we were having was easy. Almost too easy. I was coming to recognize that Lev Leokov was an open book. I only needed to discover the language in which his pages were written.

Sweet cupcakes, if he changed out of those jeans, I would cry throughout dinner, spilling tears into my meal, and eating them up because I was hungry and not very picky.

You told me that you planned to marry one man, and that one man would be me. I agree with you. I think you should marry me.”

It was time to explain something to Mina, something about who I was. “I have never belonged, Mina,” I started. “I have always had a feeling of loneliness inside of me, and I never understood it, not when I’m constantly surrounded by people. I do, however, understand I differ from the masses. In a constant state of confusion, misunderstanding plagues me.” My brow furrowed. “I’m always thinking, ‘What did I say to make Nastasia mad?’ or ‘Why did Sasha look at me that way?’ Why doesn’t my brain work the way it

should?” I paused a moment, and Mina listened intently. “I would’ve given anything to be normal. And around you, I feel normal.” I laid my hand against her cheek and ran my thumb over her jawline. “I’ve never had ordinary. You gave me that. I plan on repaying you what I owe you for the rest of my life.”