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“I don’t think Ivan Levkin is here,” he replies out of the blue.
“No. I don’t think that man is really concerned with artwork—at least not by up-and-coming artists.”
“Good. I don’t like him being close to you.”
“I gathered that. One day we should probably discuss what club protection means,” I murmur.
“It would mean if Levkin got close to you in a way you didn’t like or even made you the tiniest bit of nervous, I’d make sure he backed away or face some repercussions that he would not like.”
“I don’t think I understand. Isn’t Ivan Levkin kind of a heavy roller in Phoenix? I don’t know him, but Zervas said he owns the main bank here in town.”
“He said that?” EZ asks and there’s no disguising his surprise.
“Yes, although I could have misunderstood him. He said Mr. Levkin was behind the financing of the gallery. He took a chance on Zervas, so he owes him.” I let out a sigh. “I’m afraid I’m a little clueless when it comes to running a business. I guess he probably meant a finance company or something like that.”
“Something like that,” EZ murmurs.
He looks like he’s about to tell me something else, but one of tonight’s featured artists calls my name. I look back at him to tell him goodbye, but he just gives me a wink. He’s already walking away. I frown because he’s headed toward the exit. Has he given up his quest to buy Liberty’s painting? I shrug. I’ll ask her either way so that I will know when—or if—EZ comes back in.
For now, I need to do my job, not think about the EZ.
Chapter 35
Marco
“Hello?”
“How did your even go, sweetheart?”
“Marco,” she breathes. “You remembered.”
“Of course, I did. It was important to you.”
“It would have been better if you were by my side,” she confesses and fuck, that feels good. We’ve spoken more often, and I can tell some of her anger is gone. I’ve also called in markers and put plans into action that if she knew about them, would only piss her off again. Hopefully, I’ll be able to keep those from her.
“Speaking of which, I’m coming down there Tuesday. I’ll be staying a week. I’m planning on staying at your apartment.”
“You are… I… You could at least ask, Marco!”
I grin. “You’re not getting the chance to turn me down.”
“I wouldn’t have. I was starting to think you didn’t care if you saw me again after canceling the last time.”
“I had to cancel.”
“You always do, Marco.”
“Sweetheart, I don’t exactly have a nine to five job.”
“I think I know that more than anyone,” she mumbles.
“One of my father’s old allies thought he would take over our holdings here in Athens and was using someone we once considered a friend to do it. I had to move in and move in quick.”
“Oh.”
“That the only response you have, Ena?”
“You’ve never really explained things before.”
“I’m trying to be better for you. Plus, this kind of involves you.”
“What do you mean?”
I lean back on the damn inflatable mattress that’s set up in the floor of the back room of my construction trailer and close my eyes. I’m wishing I was in Helena’s bed right now, her arms around me. I know things have to change. I can’t keep going like this and I can’t trust that my woman isn’t going to get into so much trouble she’ll be drowning in it. That’s the main reason I’m coming down. The other is that when I come back, she’s coming with me—even if I have to tie her ass up and carry her on the jet myself.
“The old enemy that tried to make moves to take over our stronghold here was Toban Cirillo.”
“Cirillo?” she squeaks.
“Zervas’ father.”
“Marco…”
“And the man who was trying to help him was—”
“My father.” She says those two words so quietly that I’m not sure I was meant to hear them. But I did.
I exhale and close my eyes. “Did you know what they were planning, Helena?” Even as I ask the question, I know she didn’t. Helena would never allow me or my brothers to be blindsided. She doesn’t have that in her. Besides, her father has cut her so many times, why would she feel loyalty towards the man? I ignore the small voice that says I’ve done the same. She will give me her loyalty. She’ll give everything to me.
“Of course not! Why would you ask me that? Okay, fine. I could see why you would ask me that. I mean, I’m here with Zervas after putting off my return there—”
“You are not with Zervas,” I growl, not liking those words out of her mouth at all.
“I didn’t mean with, with for God’s sake!”
“I don’t like your name mentioned with his.”
“Trust me, I’m getting to where I don’t either. It’s hard for me to admit that I used to like the way he flirted with me.”
