Page 121 of Volik

Volik dips his chin again before looking at me. “The reporters should not return tomorrow.”

“Oh?” My brows lift. “Did you have a chat with them?”

“Da.”

“What—”

Audio starts to play from Jenny’s phone, and I snap my mouth closed when I hear Volik’s voice.

“Do not crowd my mate. … That would be a bad idea.” Breathing fills the speakers, along with the crunch of footsteps on pavement. There’s some rustling. Some deep vibrations. Then Volik speaks again. “You two smell like each other. But your wedding ring smells like someone else.”

My mouth drops, and I hold up my hands. “Did you just out some reporter for having an affair?”

Volik shrugs.

I stare at him as I drop my hands to my lap. “Can you really smell his wife through his wedding ring? That’s… nuts.”

“Da, it would be.”

“Would?” I furrow my brows. “Wait, you can’t?”

“Of course not. But—” Volik reaches up and taps his temple. “I have seen photos online of him with his wife. That woman was not his wife. But her scent was all over him.”

Jenny laughs. “Brilliant.”

“Honestly.” I agree, smiling.

As Volik lowers his arm, the sleeve of his shirt catches my attention, and I’m suddenly reminded of where he’s been all day.

Needing to see more of him, I stand. And I swear he stands a little straighter.

Black button-down shirt, with a few inches of chest on display. Black pants. Black shoes.

Part of me misses his barefoot look, but… Damn. He’s fine.

Volik smooths a hand down the front of his shirt. “You approve?”

“Yes.” My reply comes out breathy. I clear my throat. “I’ve… never seen you fully dressed.”

Jenny snorts. And Volik smirks.

I wave them both off as I move to round the end of the counter. “I mean, I’ve seen the photos.”

“You look at photos of me?” Volik’s voice is pure smugness.

“Everyone has seen photos of you,” I huff. “You’re kind of a big deal.”

His pleased expression goes nowhere. “I only care that you are the one who looks.”

Jenny lets out a wistful sigh, and when I glance over, she’s looking at Volik.

Her body language is no longer rigid with fear. And she’s smiling.

Protectiveness flares inside me. And my chest rumbles.

Jenny snaps her head in my direction, and my eyes go wide.

Holy shit. Am I growling?