Before he can get the question out, one of his men interrupts. He entered the kitchen so quietly, neither of us heard him.
“Pakhan, there’s a delivery at the gate.”
I couldn’t have planned the timing better if I tried.
“I didn’t order anything.”
Hoping up from my seat, I clap the messenger guard on the shoulder. “That’s for me, Daniil.I’ll go get it so we don’t have to let anyone in.”
I see the both of them look at each other with surprise and confusion, but I don’t stick around to be asked questions. On my way out, I hear one being asked, though.
“He knows your name?”
“He asked,” Daniil replies simply.
Ididask.
Dad has always said that it’s good to know the men surrounding you. Even if you only know their names and a few details. After all, would you want to protect some asshole with your life if he’s never even bothered to ask your name? Or even speak to you?
I wouldn’t.
“You’re not leaving, are you?”
I stop walking immediately, hearing Anya’s voice. She’s just come in from the backyard, and she looks like she might cry.
“Of course not,meraviglia,” I say quickly, making a beeline to her. “I have a surprise for you that just showed up at the gate. I’m going to bring it right in and show you, okay? Give me two minutes?”
“Okay,” she agrees, seeming relieved.
“Be right back.” I press a kiss to her cheek and rush to the front door.
When I retrieve Anya’s gift, there’s a few boxes of things to go with it that guards outside help me bring into the front entryway of the house. I take the time to ask them both what their namesare and commit their faces to memory. I’ll make it a point to get to know them better in the future, but right now, Anya is the only thing I can focus on.
I find her in the small sitting room off the entryway, chewing on her lip while she waits for me. Her eyes go wide, seeing the large black carrier as I walk in to join her. She suspects what I have hidden for her, and even though she doesn’t voice it, I know her imagination isn’t wrong.
I set the flexible fabric crate down on the couch and open the zipper carefully. I hear my girl inhale softly as she gets a first look at what’s inside.
“This is Winter,” I say, carefully taking the little ball of white fluff out of her carrier. The small creature immediately buries her face in the crook of my arm, her whiskers almost tickling me as she hides.
“Oh my God,” Anya gasps, hands flying up and over her mouth.
She steps closer and I continue introducing her to her gift. “Winter is six years old, and her owner just passed away. She’s a little sad and shy right now, of course. But she needs a loving home, and I know you’ve been wanting a cat of your own. I didn’t want to surprise you with a pet because I’ve heard that’s a bad idea. So I signed up for us to foster her for a month. If you don’t want to adopt her by the end of the month then?—”
“I want to adopt her right now,” she declares, opening her arms and closing the space between us. “I need to hold her this second. Oh my goshhh, she’s so beautiful.”
Just like you.
I carefully pass the shy cat into her arms and Anya coos down at her, sitting down to hold her with more support so she can pet her as well.
“She has blue eyes, and long soft fur. It made me think of us. My blue eyes, your pretty blonde hair. But you know, more silver than golden.”
“I love her already,” Anya tells me tearfully. “She’s so soft and light.”
“Yeah,” I agree, smiling. “She looks a little chunky but it’s all fur. I was surprised when I first picked her up too.”
“I think I’m going to cry.” Anya sniffles, leaning down to kiss Winter on the top of her head. “I’m sorry, Matteo, I think you may have signed up to marry a crazy cat lady. I already want her to have a friend.”
I laugh, sitting down next to her and putting my arm around her shoulders. “I think we should let her settle in first. We can have her stay in your bedroom so she gets used to your scent and then introduce her to more of the house since it’s so big. I got you everything she needs. So much stuff that she could probably have her own room, if you wanted to give her one.”
