Mina
Cora’s first night went off without a hitch. She was a natural, and thanks to the two of us being the same size, she was able to wear the Red Riding Hood outfit Birdie had bought for me. I told Birdie to put in another order for costumes in my size, but different to the ones I had. Birdie told me that it would take a couple of days, and that was okay. I didn’t mind sharing with Cora until then.
When I went to tell her about the subtle flirting for tips, I noticed she’d already been doing it. When I thought to mention the house blend bottles full of iced-tea, Cora had already figured it out. And when I saw her lean over the bar to place a kiss on a big spender’s cheek, I was a little miffed. It was clear I wasn’t needed.
The girls on stage were dancing out a routine to Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money”, and I was mesmerized. They swayed their hips delicately, their breasts hidden behind sparkling pasties, and their expressions were sultry. They really were beauties, our Diamond Dozen.
Halfway through the night, I turned to find my brother sitting at the bar right in front of me, wearing a slight grin. I squeaked in surprise then threw myself over the bar to wrap my arms around him. I laughed in his ear, “How long were you watching me stare into space?”
He hugged me back then kissed my cheek. “Only a minute.” He pulled back and began, “I need to t—” But he stopped midsentence, losing his focus when his gaze landed on Cora. His brow furrowed. “Who’s that?”
I turned to blink at Cora then turned back to him. “Corinna Alkaev. She’s new. Started tonight. She’s a friend of the family.”
But Alessio was lost to her, and I hid my grin. He shook his head lightly before starting again. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
I looked around the bar. There were a lot of people waiting, and with Nas, Cora, Anika and me all working our tails off, I grimaced. “Any chance you could wait five minutes, just until I help with this crowd?”
Alessio smiled at me, and I could’ve sworn I saw pride there. “Take your time. It can wait.”
He waited ten minute without batting a lash, and finally, when the intermission crowd slowed, I motioned to Nas that I was stepping out. She winked at me and I walked around the bar, linked my arm through Alessio’s, and made our way to the only free space in the club by the bathroom walls. “What’s up?”
He hesitated, and when he started to talk, it was cautious. “So, you have to know that Enzo was loaded, right?”
I thought about this then shrugged. “I didn’t know that, no.”
What did that have to do with me?
Alessio nodded. “He was. And I got his inheritance.”
I looked up at him. “And so you should have.”
He shook his head. “But I’m not his only kid. You’re his kid too. And I want to share it with you.”
Oh. I understood. He felt an obligation to me.
My heart swelled and I warmed with happiness. I smiled up at him, reaching up to cup his scarred cheek. “You’re sweet, Alessio, but no. I don’t want it.”
He took my hand from his cheek and squeezed it. “Too late, Mina. It’s already in your bank account.”
I pulled back, my brow furrowing. “What?”
Alessio held onto my hand, refusing to let go. “I spoke to Lev last week. He agreed that you could use the money, and the freedom this kind of money brings. He wants you to be set, and so do I.” His grip on my hand gentled. “He was a shitty father, Mina. The money isn’t everything, but he owed us at least that much.”
Okay. He wanted me to have the money. He was adamant about that.
“How much money are we talking here?” I asked quietly.
Motioning with his fingers, I brought my head close to his and he whispered the figure into my ear. My eyes widened and I pulled back with a gasp, shoving him in the chest. “Get out!” My mouth gaping, my head swam. “Oh, my God. Shut up!”
And Alessio’s body shook with silent laughter. “Yeah.”
My mind was a mess. That was more money than one person would ever need in a lifetime. I couldn’t think. I was a mess.
Then suddenly, I blurt out, “What if I wanted to donate it to charity?”
Alessio’s brows rose. He clearly wasn’t expecting that response. He thought a moment before answering, “It’s your money, Mina. You can do what you want with it. If you want to donate it, then go for it.”
“Hey, Mina?” someone spoke from behind me. I turned to see Cora staring patiently up at Alessio, her eyes grazing over the scarred half of his face. She didn’t look at me when she spoke again, but remained fixed on the tall, brooding man. “Lev’s looking for you.”
“Cora, this in my brother Alessio. Alessio, this is Cora, our new bar girl.”
That broke Cora out of her state. Her brows rose and she smiled. “You have a brother?” Then suddenly, it was as if Alessio’s scars had disappeared and she only had eyes for the man behind them. She stepped forward and held her hand out. “You’re a lucky guy to have a sister like Mina,” she finished with a wink.
Alessio stared down at the pocket-rocket that was Cora then slowly, carefully, he took her hand, shaking it lightly. “I know.”
She bunched her nose adorably. “I’m sure you’re not so bad yourself though.”
I added on a chuckle, “He’s not.” I smiled softly up at Alessio. “He’s kind of awesome.”
Alessio released Cora’s hand and she placed that hand on his arm. “Would you like a drink? I can bring it over.”
Oh my.
Cora was giving all her attention to Alessio, and he looked as if he wasn’t sure how to handle it. He lowered his gaze and shook his head. “I’m fine. Thanks.”
I was sure it had been a long time since Alessio got the kind of attention he used to, and from the way Cora was looking at him, he’d just gained an unlikely admirer.
I didn’t want their one-sided conversation to end, so I did something I probably shouldn’t have. “Hey, Cora, you’ve done so well this evening. I don’t want to push you too hard. You’re off for the rest of the night.”
Cora’s brow furrowed. “Oh, okay. So what do I do now?”
“Sit. Have a drink. Enjoy the show,” I told her.
“By myself?” she questioned, looking a little uncomfortable.
“No,” I stated then blinked up innocently at my brother. “Hang out with Alessio.”
They both went silent.
I had made my move; it was time for them to connect four. Alessio spoke first, and he glared at me while doing it. “I should go.”
I blew him a teasing kiss. But then Cora looked up at him with wide eyes. The regret she wore was genuine. “You need to go?”
Alessio’s neck flushed. “I don’t need to go, but I should.”
Cora looked mildly devastated, but she played it off coolly. “Oh, okay. Sure.” She laughed quietly, and uttered graciously, “You have better things to do than babysit.”
Alessio looked down at her and blinked, his brows furrowing in confusion, and he asked slowly, “Unless…do you want me to stay?”
Her shoulders slumped in relief and a real smile appeared. “Would you?”
No hesitation. “Fuck yeah.”
And that was how it was done, people.
Cora beamed, stepping forward to link her arm through Alessio’s, and I watched them walk away to find a table.
I watched them for the rest of the night, and when Nas questioned where the oompa loompa was, I pointed out to the floor, and we both spotted them laughing together, sitting thigh-to-thigh.
Alessio turned his face to talk directly into Cora’s ear, but she turned to him at the same time. They stared into each other’s eyes a second before Cora closed hers and leaned forward a little. Her lips connected with Alessio’s, and after his moment of stunned disbelief, he closed his eyes and let it happen. They kissed so sweetly, so tamely, that my heart skipped a beat.
Nas wore a look of shock, and I seconded that expression.
Well, that was fast.
Cora reached her hands up to cup Alessio’s cheeks, and Alessio pulled back as if he’d been electrically shocked. He lowered his face and said something before standing and leaving Cora sitting there on her own.
She slumped into her chair and shook her head, looking miserable. Alessio was a proud man. She needed to give him time. His scars were a plague on him.
I looked to Nas, and she returned my sad look. I hoped Alessio would give Cora a chance.
After all, time healed all wounds. Or so they said.