“Of course it is.” Rachel’s eyes are still gentle and she pats my shoulder with warmth that wasn’t there before.
“She likes you,” Wynter whispers.
My nose scrunches. “Because I’m an orphan?”
Wynter tuts. “Of course not.” A glower aims itself at me before she whisper-shouts, “What the hell were you thinking? Saying I was going on a date?!”
“Worked, didn’t it?” At her groan, I grumble, “You were tongue-tied. I had to think fast.”
“Think faster next time,” she grumbles back.
“Girls,” Rachel shouts. “Nyx says he’ll escort Victoria. Are you ready now?”
Nyx?Ohhh, boy. No way.
“Rachel?”
She pops her head around the door. “Yep?”
“Can it be anyone but him?”
Her lips work and she grimaces. “Oh, sorry, sweetie. Of course.”
No way am I about to get within twenty feet of the man who treated my sister like dirt! Even if he’s on his bike and I’m in Shay’s car!
“Link says he’ll do it, Victoria. Are you ready?”
Ignoring Wynter’s questioning look, I tumble the bundle of fluff into my arms and get to my feet. Then, I gag. “One second, Rachel. I think the puppy peed on me.”
TWENTY-THREE
WARNING: WILL INDUCE CONSTIPATION
Two hours later,I’m in Manhattan, wearing borrowed jeans after an escort worthy of aSons of Anarchyepisode,sansthe asswipe who broke my eldest sister’s heart.
“Nearly there, baby,” I sing to the small ball of fluff perched on the passenger seat. “Amara told me you don’t pee in the house. Was she lying? Or do you just pee on people’s laps?”
The pup yips.
“Yipper. That’s your current name. If you pee in Brennan’s home, he will shout. But just ignore him. He’s all bark. Like you!” I don’t tell her that he kills people for a living. That’d just scare her unnecessarily.
By the time I pull into my sister’s apartment building, I’m unsurprised to receive another text. Only this time, it’s not from Maxim.
Unknown Number: Vlad says you’re not going to Maxim’s house?
Me: Who is this?
Unknown Number: Answer the question, please
Me: Oh, yeah, as if I’d answer a question like that. I don’t know my guards’ names because they jump whenever I say boo, and I’m sure as fuck not telling someone my location OR inferring that I know somebody called Maxim or that I’ll be going to his house. Not that I know a Maxim. Never met onein my life
Me: So, who are you?
There’s a pause as I frown at the message.
Unknown Number: Misha
Knowing a Misha is Max’s brother, I message him.
