She might have replied only Zaza chose that moment to throw up. Projectile vomited all her dinner. What a waste of food.
While Nicky handled the child, and Bruce insisted on doing the cleanup, I wandered to the window and glanced outside.
Would this Joseph dare to show his face? I hoped so, because the fear in Nicky bothered me. The knowledge she’d been hurt angered me. In my world, domestic violence would cease to exist because I’d have a simple method for dealing with abusers.
I’d eat them.
Chapter Thirteen
When Nicky asked, I’d downplayed my interaction with strangers who popped by, making it seem like they’d made a random mistake, but my gut told me to be wary. The man in the car had been dressed like a tourist, as had the woman in the passenger seat, bundled in winter gear. There were skis strapped to the roof. They even said all the right things.
“We must have missed the driveway to our friend’s place.”
“Easy to get turned around in the dark.”
“You staying here by yourself? Must be lonely.”
While the man nattered, I watched. Saw how they cased the area, their gazes taking in everything they could see. More than idle curiosity. Or was that my suspicious side seeing things that weren’t there? Quite possible.
Paranoia had been my constant companion since retirement. I saw threats everywhere I went. A car backfired and I ducked for cover. Someone screamed, even in laughter, and I immediately sought out the threat. My therapist claimed my time spent in adrenalized situations made me hypersensitive. Maybe. But then again, I hadn’t managed to survive this long by ignoring my instincts. The fact I no longer resided in a warzone didn’t mean I should let my guard down. Danger lurked everywhere, as did death, for the unwary.
And now I had more than just myself to guard. I’d meant it when I told Nicky I wouldn’t let her, Zaza, or even Percy come to harm.
While Nicky put Zaza to bed, the child seemingly fine despite the puking, I changed into my shorts and robe, planning to hit the hot tub. The tension in me refused to ease. Had those people truly been lost? Had they been looking for Nicky on behalf of Joseph? Checking to see if the man alone up the mountain had anything of worth to steal? Did they know I had a dragon?
“I’m going for a soak,” I told Percy who lay on the couch watching television. “You coming?”
“No. I’m tired and will most likely sleep.”
“You sure you’re okay?” I crouched down to run a hand over Percy’s crown.
“The molt is almost upon me. Try to not make a scene this time when I do shed.”
I grimaced. “No promises.”
Percy sniffed. “Humans.”
“If you see Nicky before you nap, let her know where I’ve gone in case she needs me,” I said before slipping on my boots. I exited the chalet and instantly my body clenched from the cold draft, my robe not long enough to fully cover my bare legs. I made my way to the hot tub and, despite having stoked the firebox earlier, added more wood before I hung my robe on a hook and kicked off my boots. I sighed as I eased into the hot water. At least with the power back on, I could run the pump and circulate the water so the heat didn’t concentrate in one spot.
I’d barely begun to relax when I heard someone approaching and immediately stiffened into a sitting position, my hand reaching for a gun I didn’t have. I had to leave it at home because of stupid TSA rules.
I arched a brow in surprise at the sight of Nicky approaching, her long hair wound and pinned atop her head in a bun, swathed in the fluffy pink robe I’d bought while out today. She let it slide off her arms and hung it alongside mine. She wore the simple one-piece suit I’d managed to find on a clearance rack in the clothing store—and looked damned good.
Too good.
My dick wanted to show its appreciation, and I quickly turned on the jets, causing the surface to froth before saying, “Didn’t expect to see you out here.”
“I was going to stay inside and watch television but Percy told me you were out here and ordered me to join you. When I told her I couldn’t leave Zaza alone, she gave me a lecture on how she was perfectly capable of notifying me if something was amiss.”
“Bossy for her size.”
Nicky’s lips curved. “Very. Anyhow, I figured might as well take a break, seeing as how Percy is curled up with Zaza and I know from experience that if Zaza truly is sick, then she’ll most likely wake fussing sometime after midnight, meaning this might be my only chance to relax.”
“If that happens, wake me and I’ll help.”
“Help do what? If it’s a fever, we’ll be taking a tepid shower and dosing with acetaminophen. If it’s more puking, then it’s fluids and cuddles. If it’s crying because she’s uncomfortable, I’ll be walking and humming to console her. Not really much you can do.”
“I can at least offer moral support and play errand boy if you need something.”
