Page 20 of Conceal

I can barely reach the pedals, but that has to be fixable, right?

Lev bangs on the window, shouting at me as I feel beneath the seat for a lever. I find one and scoot the seat closer to the steering wheel. I test the pedals and figure it’s good enough.

“You’re going to fucking kill yourself!”

The SUV is a push-start, so I push the button and turn the engine over, proud of myself.

“Tati! Stop! Please!”

The pleading in his voice is cute as he continues to bang on the window. I try to shift the SUV into reverse, but it doesn’t budge. I press the gas, but it doesn’t budge. I press down on the brake pedal and the shifter moves. I put it in R, for reverse, I think, and look behind me. I let off the pedal and hit the gas; the SUV surges backwards faster than I was expecting, and the corner clips a tree before I can slam both of my feet down on the brake.

I jump as something metal hits the window next to my head. I look, and it’s a cell phone.

And a text message thread with Mik. Lev has texted him an address. One, I’m assuming, to here.

Relief is instant.

“Put the truck in park and turn off the engine, Tati,” he growls, and the low timbre causes a shiver to work up my spine. I press the brake, put the SUV in park, and press the button to turn it off.

A part of me feels sheepish, but I square my shoulders back and step out of the car, like the proud princess I am.

Lev looks frustrated, but a corner of his lips tick up like he’s trying to hide a smile.

“If they find out, I’m dead. You realize that, right?”

I wave my hand dismissively as I walk back into the house, adrenaline still coursing through my veins.

“They’d actually have to care about me to find out.” I wince at my own words. What I meant was, none of them are going to take the time to drive out here to check up on me. What came out was closer to the truth. My mom only cares about matching me up with someone suitable. This was just an opportunity to drive a wedge between Mik and me so that she could achieve that match.

Hurt lances through my heart. She only cares about getting rid of me as soon as possible. I try not to let that hurt fester. I didn’t ask to be born. And I may not be a mother, but I can’t imagine having a kid and not wanting to spend any time with them. Like, what’s the point? I’ve been kidding myself this entire time that she wants me to find love as much as I do, but in reality, I’m not sure she believes in love. I don’t know why my parents married, but she’s miserable enough with her life to drink it away.

I walk straight to the master bedroom to hide away and sit in my feelings, but Lev’s hot on my tail.

“Hey,” he says, wrapping his arms around me from behind and stopping my walk.

I close my eyes, not wanting him to see the hurt there. He doesn’t let it go, though; spins me in his arms and presses me against the wall again, thigh wedged between mine.

It’s the same position as before, but instead of anger, there’s just sadness.

“I care,” he whispers, and I immediately scoff.

He cares as long as he gets a paycheck.

His hand gently wrapping around my neck has my eyes opening.

Snarky Lev is gone. Teasing Lev is gone. In his place is a sincerity I’m not sure I’ve ever seen before.

“I care,” he says again, his dark eyes imploring me to believe him. I look down.

He squeezes my neck gently, bringing my eyes back up to his. “Mik can’t live without you. Roman just took a bullet for you. And you know I’d do the same.”

“You have to. It’s what you’re paid for!” I shout, even though my voice is watery. I hate that he took a bullet for me. I hate that they risk themselves for me. I hate that they’re paid to put themselves in harm’s way because the money doesn’t matter if they’re dead!

“I’d do it for free.”

That takes the wind out of my anger. But I’m not sure I believe him.

“Why?”