“Let her go, or lose your hand.”
Jeff glances away, laughing nervously. He’s assuming it’s an empty threat, but he’s clearly unnerved by Lev’s stony expression. “Keep walking, dude. This is a private conversation?—”
I don’t see Lev move. But suddenly, Jeff is on the ground, mostly landing in the puddle I stepped around earlier. Jeff sits up quickly, glaring at Lev, who has focused on me.
“Are you okay?”
I nod. “I’m fine.”
Lev nods, too, then glances at Jeff, who’s stumbling to his feet, dripping dirty water. “Do you want me to kill him?”
“The fuck?” Jeff sputters.
I laugh, like Lev is kidding, although I’m fairly certain he’s completely serious. “Of course not.”
“You sure?” Lev aims an unimpressed look at Jeff, whose expression is a comical mix of fury and fear.
“I’m sure.” I glance at Jeff, too, mouthing,Go.
He shakes his arms, sending droplets flying. “No way am I leaving you alone with this psychopath.”
Lev grins, spitting out a rapid stream of Russian. I’m not sure if he’s actually threatening Jeff, but it sure sounds like he is.
“He’s a friend,” I tell Jeff. “I’m fine. Justgo, please.”
Jeff glances back and forth between us. I see the moment he realizes. “This—he’swho you came here to meet? Are you fucking this asshole, Carina?”
Lev takes a step forward. I grab his forearm, squeezing it tight. He could easily pull out of my grip, but he doesn’t. His muscles are tensed, so I can feel each taut tendon. Sense the strength humming beneath the skin.
“None of your business,” I tell Jeff stiffly.
“Un-fucking-believable.” He’s staring at where I’m touching Lev. “You know, I was planning to help you study. I was willing to do whatever you wanted to stay together, and you’d already chosen your next conquest. If this guy”—he glowers at Lev—“wasn’t fucking insane, I’d feel sorry for him. You two deserve each other.”
Finally, Jeff stalks away. I’m sure he meant for it to be a dramatic exit, but he steps in another puddle in his huff, and his sneakers’ squelching sort of ruins the effect.
Once Jeff is out of sight, I look at Lev. He’s leaned back against the brick, lighting a cigarette, the picture of ease.
Normally, I dislike the smell of smoke. But I don’t mind it much right now. Maybe it’s the way the scent mixes with the damp air. More likely, it’s who is exhaling it.
“Hi.”
The cigarette lowers. He taps it against the brick, a few ashes falling to the wet asphalt. “Hi.”
“You said you would quit.”
“Yousaid I would quit.”
I roll my eyes. “It’s really bad for you.”
One corner of his mouth curves up. “Only good thing today.” He stares at me, another stream of smoke leaving his mouth before he adds, “Aside from you.”
For standing outside on a chilly April day, I’m feeling awfully warm.
“Jeff was just … upset,” I say awkwardly.
Lev makes a dismissive sound that could be interpreted a dozen different ways.
“We broke up,” I add, in case that wasn’t obvious from our interaction.
