Cesare shook his head. “She has no clue. And I’m keeping it that way.”
Dante tilted his head. “No disrespect brother, but is that possible?”
Cesare frowned, returning his gaze to the coffeemaker, happily gurgling away on the minibar.
“We’ll see, won’t we?” He asked.
Chapter Thirteen
(Sabrina)
Sabrina wrinkled her nose as a baby seal approved milkshake splattered across the side of her face. The smell of baby formula, cod oil, and pureed herring wafted from the splatter, and Sabrina grimaced as she tightened the towel around Freckles and squatted over the seal once more. Careful to keep her body weight off him, she worked the feeding tube back into his mouth whilst holding him in the safe restraint.
He made a hissing sound followed by a guttural snuffle.
“I know.” She soothed, smoothing a finger up and down its nose. “I’m a strange person in a weird mask, and everything is new and scary, isn’t it?”
Freckles’ jaw relaxed just long enough that Sabrina was able to press the feeding tube down his esophagus. This would allow her to tube feed the specialized ‘milkshake’ directly into the seal pup’s stomach.
With her left hand, Sabrina held the towel in place that kept Freckles in a safe position. With her right hand, Sabrina reached for the feeding funnel on the shelf just above her. She gave a soft cry of frustration mixed with exhaustion when she realized the pup had moved them just barely out of reach from the funnel and formula.
She was trying to do a two-person job by herself and had been doing so around the clock since the night prior. Exhaustion colored faint circles beneath her eyes and pulled at her eyelidslike lead weights. She hung her head, taking in a deep, calming breath, and released it. This was a hard moment; a hard night. Soon it would be over. Right now, she just had to push through and find a solution.
She looked around the dry pen for anything that would help her reach what she needed, but was distracted by the sound of someone knocking from upfront. A moment later, the door opened, and to her surprise, Cesare’s face popped over the wall of the stall.
“Need a hand?” He grinned.
“Cesare!” She exclaimed with a relieved smile. “I’m so glad you’re here. I can’t reach the funnel with the formula. Can you pass them to me, please?” She asked.
“No offense, but this looks like a two-person sort of thing.” Cesare answered, eyeing the feeding tube and all of its components. He started to open the door to the pen, and Sabrina’s eyes widened in panic.
“No outside shoes inside the pens!” Sabrina rushed. She sighed, feeling too tired to be polite, but he was the last person in the world she wanted to be rude to. “I’m sorry, nobody handles the seals or goes near them without a mask and a pair of waders that get rinsed down every time you enter or exit a pen.” She instructed.
“No problem. Is that what the soapy water bucket out here is for?” Cesare asked. His voice was as calm and reassuring as ever.
Sabrina gave a tired nod, suddenly realizing how much of a mess she must look. She looked down, frowning to herself as she fixed her gaze on Freckles.
“Eyes, Sabrina.” Cesare’s deep voice rumbled.
She looked up, her eyes red and shiny from exhaustion and nerves. He looked like a freaking Adonis. What was he doing here? What was he doing withher?
“I’ll get suited up and then I’ll come into the pen and help you feed Freckles.” His voice was soothing and grounding, and her nervous system palpably calmed. “Would this be acceptable?” He asked.
“That would be very appreciated, thank you.” She answered quietly.
“Good.” He nodded. “I’ll be right back.”
“Do you want help finding the gloves and things?”
“Closet by the door?” Cesare replied as he made his way to the personal protective equipment.
“Yes.” Sabrina affirmed. “Masks and gloves are on the top left.”
“Sounds good.” He spoke from the closet. “How was your night?”
“Well, I went on a date with some guy.” Sabrina smiled, soothing the pup in her hands.
“Some guy?” Cesare asked as he put on a mask. “Who is this guy?”
