“I already did that,” Sammy says and I hug her from the side.
“What do you say we adopt Toby?” I ask Sammy and shelooks at me with hopeful eyes.
“Your father said no pets,” she says and I smile, for the first time I feel comfort when someone mentions him.
“Is he here? I say you take him home,” I say and change topics, “Camilla is not the enemy Sammy, she’s not interested in confusion, she’ll back off from Josh. Give her a chance for me. She’s actually kind of nice,” I say not wanting to give her a bigger compliment in case she takes it the wrong way.
“I’ll do that, if she doesn’t get on my way,” Sammy says and I nod, she’s worried about Josh, I didn’t think she’d be so open about it. But here it is, a sort of interest confession.
“Yes, sir,” I joke kissing her forehead. Her attention shifts from Toby to me and he starts licking her hand, for more head rubs, it’s actually so good to see them bound. Toby is a 2-year-old cat who’s been under Sammy’s care since he was 2 months old. Sammy always had hope someone would adopt him, and against everyone, kept him alive. She would not euthanise him while he had a quality of life. That’s one of the reasons we don’t take any cats over 6 years here. This is a nonprofit organisation. And Sammy refuses euthanising any being. We take older cats but not many, it’s more difficult to find them a house, and that’s our purpose. Finding a forever home for every single one of them.
The rest of the day is sunnier, the girls hover around the cats, and Camilla plays with all of them excited to be away from Mitkus. Despite all that happiness, I must leave to tell Dominik and Josh about Thomas’ deal.
I grab Toby, the most beautiful black and white cat, he’sactually all black except for his white paws. I already sent our team what we need for Toby and it should be waiting at our place. I put Toby’s carrier on the back of my car and sit in the driver’s spot.
Chapter 27
Love
I slowly drive while talking with Toby, he’s a very vocal cat and responds to my every sentence with a “Meow,” the most adorable one. Sammy made a good choice. I enter the condominium and sigh in relief when I park by my house and find Dominik outside of it.
“You adopted a cat?” Dominik asks when I approach him carrying Toby.
“He’s Sammy’s. Say hi to Toby-”
“Toby,” Dominik repeats as if he’s trying to familiarise himself with the cat. “What did Thomas Alakai want from you?” Dominik asks taking the carrier from me and moving up the stairs, I follow him to my home.
“From me? Nothing. He wants Aiden,” I reply and Dominik laughs.
“Fine by me. But what did he tell you exactly?” Dominik asks as I open the entry’s door.
“That’s why I came here earlier. Thomas wants an alliance to kill Liot. He wants to be in control of Mitkus' mafia. Allied to us,” Dominik puts Toby on the floor. I open the door of the carrier, then going towards the bags and boxes on the kitchen counter, to find him some food. “He knows where Liot is at,” I continue handing him the address.
“Camilla’s number?” Dominik asks and I turn the piece of paper around. “What else does he want?”
“He wants Aiden to call him to finalise the deal. He also has insiders within Liot’s people,” I say and Toby tries to call Dominik’s attention by rubbing himself on his legs. I see Dominik look at him like he’s an annoying useless thing, and for once, I wish he were more emotionally connected. But that’s not who he is, or who I fell for, and Dom has come a long way for me.
“How convenient,” Dominik responds grabbing the cat and putting him on the couch, over a pillow. “Good luck with this infested house”
“It’s a cat, not a parasite. You’ll grow accustomed to it,” I say and Dominik laughs hard.
“Highly doubt that. I’ll learn to tolerate his needy presence,” he says once Toby is back on his legs, I brush Toby’s fur and he purrs. “And I’ll be jealous of a small furry being,” he looks annoyed while saying those words. “Did Thomas threaten you or Aiden?” Dominik asks and I shake my head. Even if he did I wouldn’t disclose that to him. And I was the one who threatened him, so reason isn’t on my side.
“Thomas was only mad I let Camilla come home with us,” I say and see Toby has settled on a chair next to thecouch and is almost asleep.
“Comprehensible,” Dominik says, “Why did you let her come anyway?”
“Camilla needed to see her brother, she’s worried, and she wants to help,” I respond to Dominik’s question and he puts his arm around me.
“Tell her to stay away from our missions, I don’t need another liability!” Dominik exclaims with a tense sigh.
“Another?” I ask and Dominik puts me on top of the counter and joins our foreheads.
“Her brother, Aiden. He’s too merciful,” Dominik informs, “What do you say we go on a date?” he asks and I’m caught by surprise. “Is that a no?”
“No. It’s a yes. I would very much enjoy a date,” I answer and Dominik smiles, I pull him closer for a kiss. My hands around his neck. His hand falls to my back and I gasp.
“That’s not taking us to a date. That’s taking us to bed,” Dominik says and I laugh pushing him away.
