Dallan’s threat fell on deaf ears, though, as the lioness just continued to purr, her gold eyes holding mine for another moment before she reached into her designer bag and produced a business card. “If you ever want to work with a group of monster women that will treat you right, just give me a call.”
With that she sashayed out of the shop, her new piercings twinkling in the afternoon sunlight.
“Why do I feel like I was just asked to join a sex cult?” I asked, mostly to myself.
Dallan’s laughter filled the waiting room. “You’re not far off, they are definitely all about pleasure and relaxation over at the spa.”
“Yeah, and heavy on the pleasure part. I remember going for a massage once and I was completely twitterpated by all of the hot women that work there. If I ever decided to swing that way I would quit this place in an instant,” Effie said with a snort.
Dallan’s laughter cut off abruptly as he jerked his head to look at her. “But you don’t want to swing that way though, right?”
It was Effie’s turn to laugh as she turned to climb the stairs. “I’m not sure, Dallan, Leila isveryhot.”
“Yeah, if you like getting hairballs from eating beast woman puss,” Dallan muttered just loud enough for her to hear.
Effie ducked her head back into view, her green hair fanning out as she gave Dallan a sharp, teasing grin. “And who says I’d be the one doing the eating?”
Dallan’s gold eyes widened as he gawked up at her. I couldn’t help but giggle as Effie disappeared from view once again.
“That one sure keeps me on my toes,” he grumbled as he flipped through his tablet to look at his next appointment. “Don’t let her tease you the way she teases me, or she’ll never stop for as long as you live.”
I just smiled, thinking about Effie’s insistence that I say the words ‘gargoyle dick’ earlier.
“Oh gods, she’s already done it, eh?” Dallan asked with a shake of his head. “Well, I suppose you’re stuck with us then.”
“I’m afraid so,” I said, my chest warm from the sudden feeling of belonging.
“Well good, I sincerely don’t think we’d be able to find a better receptionist. When my next appointment gets here can you let me know? I’m going to be in the back talking with Cash and Fiero about covering his clients for next week,” Dallan said, tucking his tablet under his massive arm.
I nodded, the sudden ringing of the phone distracting me.
“Sure thing,” I said, grabbing the phone. “Monstrous Ink, Daphne speaking, how can I help you?”
Sixteen
The Mojave desert stretched out in either direction for miles, only broken up by mountains in the distance on one side, and the city of Las Vegas on the other. It was an hour or two before dawn and the dark sky was already starting to lighten.
It had been a day since we left Port Haven to drive to visit Ronan and Daphne was curled up against the door of my truck sound asleep.
At first, I’d been nervous about bringing her along because, when it came to Daphne, my brain was a constant loop of what if.
What if she walked to get coffee and was attacked?
What if she went out to feed the animals on her own and hurt herself?
What if she tried to get into the pen with Cocoa while I wasn’t at the house and got stomped into the ground by the anxious beast?
There were too many things in the world that could hurt a human, and now that my brain seemed to have acknowledged her as my heart song, it was clear that I was royally fucked.
Finally, I rationalized to myself that it was better if Daphne came with me to see Ronan, at least with me I could keep an eye on her and keep her safe.
It had been almost five days since she told me her story and since then Art had been hard at work trying to track down her ex, but so far he’d had very little luck.
Mike was a human with means and money to hide if he wanted to, so nailing him down to serve him with papers would be a challenge.
Art had sent over a file on the guy and I’d learned more about the asshole than I ever wanted to. Up until last year he’d been on a fast track to becoming a partner at his high-powered law firm. Right up until he’d gotten into the habit of bumping cocaine in the bathrooms at work. He’d been promptly fired and all financials pointed to his wealthy mother covering their bills ever since.
It had become clear when I showed Daphne the file that she had no idea about any of his work troubles.
