“What’s wrong?”
“Kepler!” she wails. “He’s gone!”
I’d believe about anything when it comes to Dante, but kidnapping? That doesn’t seem his style. I peer over Minnie’s shoulder, expecting to see an empty stroller or something. A gray pet carrier sits next to Renee’s desk with the door open, and nothing inside.
“He’s blind!” Minnie presses her hands to the side of her face. “He’s loose in the arena! Dante’s going to kill me.” She drops to her knees to begin her search.
I keep staring at the carrier for a moment while the wheels in my head creak into belated action. “So Kepler’s not an actual baby. Got it. What are we looking for here?” I turn my head slightly only to get an eyeful of Minnie’s ass. Her oversized shirt has ridden up, and those leggings are… very form-fitting. Also,slightly sheer. Minnie doesn’t have a lot of curves, but she must do squats or something, because, damn.
From the next room, Dante’s voice calls, “Dubois, what are you staring at?”
I jump and whip toward his office door. He’s glaring at me through the glass.Shit.I didn’t realize he was in here. That’s supposed to be Sergio’s office. “Nothing, sir.”
“Good. Now get in here, both of you.”
I try to make up for my ogling by holding a hand out to Minnie to help her to her feet. Her cheeks are red, and she appears to be on the brink of tears. I guide her over to the office door and open it. At the same time, Dante stands up from the desk with something furry cradled in his arms.
“Kepler! There you are.” Minnie rushes forward.
Dante pats the furball on its pink tummy. “Yeah, Cannoli looked bored.”
“It’sKepler.” Minnie reaches out her arms toward the sleepy Furby-looking thing Dante’s holding.
“He looks more like a Cannoli to me.” Dante ignores her and keeps petting the…
“Is that a ferret?” I ask.
Dante raises an eyebrow at me. “What the hell did you think it was?”
“He’s wearing goggles,” I argue. “You don’t see that every day.”
Minnie hovers around Dante like a worried parent. “He doesn’t like strangers. Don’t look him in the eyes.”
“Hence the goggles?”
“They limit his sensory input. Helikesthem.”
As if in agreement, Kepler makes a weird hissing chirp, like a modem dying. Dante finally relents and hands the fuzzball back to Minnie. I’ve never seen a ferret this close, but I have to admit, he’s pretty adorable. Especially with those little goggles.
It sinks in that I’m going to be living with this little monster rather than a literal human newborn, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I’m not sure how high-maintenance ferrets are, but I’m positive they’re quieter at the very least.
Minnie adjusts her grip on Kepler. “Okay, so I guess we’ll be going. Good news, Dante. I’ll be moving the rust bucket out of the VIP parking.”
Dante waves a hand. “Too late, cupcake, I already moved it.”
Minnie’s eyes widen. “Where? My things are in there!”
Dante bellows, “Renee!” loudly enough to make Kepler jump. He digs his claws into Minnie’s skin as he scrambles up onto her shoulder.
“I’m on it!” a breathy voice calls from outside. Renee appears with a rolling cart laden with bags. She pulls open the door and body-blocks it open. “So, Minnie, is it? Here are all your belongings.”
“But… my car?”
“I’m taking care of it,” Dante assures her.
Minnie shakes her head. Her eyes go glassy, and she hunches over again. “I can’t be an assistant without a car.”
Shit. She’s shutting down. I step in instinctively because this is about more than a vehicle. Whatever had Minnie so nervous in the cafe had her searching for exits. Whatever made her leave home must have been bad enough that she wants to know that she has a way out.
