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Anton nods, standing. I can tell he’s not happy about it. “I’ll find him. Then we get him. Together.”
“Of course,” I grunt. “I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty.”
He turns and leaves. I grab a shower, then make a coffee. I’m about to start prepping for the real estate meeting when the landline for the club rings. I answer it, getting ready to use my official voice.
“Hello?” Serena says, breathlessly. “Celeste?”
“It’s me,” I reply, fixating on that breathiness for a second. My mind hazes with hunger. My body responds. But I need to calm down. I’m not an animal… until she makes me one. “Is something wrong?”
“It’s just—uh—it’s nothing. I mean…”
In the background, a little girl asks, “Mama, are you talking to the big boss?”
“Is that…” I trail off. She told me she had a daughter, and I didn’t even ask her name.
“My hunk of crap car has broken down. Again. We’re a couple of streets over. I was wondering if Celeste, or someone, would be able to give us a ride to school.”
“I’ll be right there,” I say. “Give me your address.”
“No, Nikolai. You don’t have to do that. We can walk to the clu—”
“Less time arguing, Serena,” I cut in. “I’m assuming your daughter’s got to start school at a certain time, or is it more of an ‘arrive when you feel comfortable’ deal?”
“No, Nikolai,” she replies, deadpan and sarcastic. And endearing. “It’s a pretty regular school setup, actually.”
“Then tell me.”
She does, then adds, “And thanks. Really.”
I get into my four-door sedan and drive to the street. Serena must’ve guided her car into the parking lot before it finally broke all the way down. It’s a piece of junk with chipped paint, and it pisses me off. She deserves better than this.
When I climb out of my car, I barely have time to register Serena or her daughter before an energetic Chihuahua springs from the car door and rushes at me.
“Pico!” the girl yells.
Serena rushes forward, looking flustered and beautiful and in desperate need of help she’d probably proudly refuse if not for her daughter.
Kneeling, I hold out my hand to the dog. He yaps at me, spinning in circles.
“Why are you so angry, huh?” I say, then he whines and dips his head. I chuckle. “I know the feeling.”
He trembles, but he doesn’t fight me when I wrap my hands around him carefully and pick him up. I hold him gently to my chest. Serena rushes over with her daughter beside her, dark-haired with a braid over her shoulder. She has the same bright, intelligent eyes as her mother.
“Whoa,” the girl says. “Are you magic?”
“Not the last time I checked.” I hold Pico one-handed and offer her my other. “Nikolai Volkov.”
“Zoe Torres,” she says, shaking my hand confidently.
“He doesn’t usually like people,” Serena mutters, nodding to Pico. “That’s why she’s so shocked.”
“This bundle of love?” I say, stroking his head.
Zoe looks up at Serena with wide, disbelieving eyes.
“Anyway, let me get the car seat and we’ll go,” Serena says. “Would you mind taking me back to my car after?”
“Of course,” I say. Does she honestly imagine I’d say no?
