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Well, forget that.
“I love a dog with a little spirit,” I say with a laugh. “Lovably naughty, you know. Can you recommend a dog like that?”
“Oh.” The breeder’s eyebrows pull together in thought. “No one’s ever asked for that before.”
Mikhail, my ever-present shadow, clears his throat. “I don’t think Daniil would—”
I hold my hand up to stop him from finishing that thought. “You let me take care of Daniil, okay? Can’t a wife surprise her husband?”
Mikhail rolls his eyes and mumbles something in Russian. He’d looked none too pleased when I’d announced this morning that we were off to see a dog breeder in New Jersey. He may have said something about Daniil being allergic to furry animals, but honestly, not my problem. This dog will serve a much greater purpose.
I bring my focus back to the breeder. “So, any recommendations?”
She takes her glasses off and wipes them on her shirt, shaking her salt-and-pepper bob.
“I know someone not far from here that breeds Japanese Spitz, but honestly, you don’t want that kind of dog. Don’t get me wrong, they’re cute and affectionate, but they’re hyperactive. Always getting into things that they shouldn't, practically untrainable if you ask me.”
Bingo.
“I’d like the name of that breeder, please.”
There’s more Russian cursing behind me that I willfully ignore.
Three hours later, we are back at the penthouse with Mikhail nervously smoking on the terrace, eyeing me like I’m the devil incarnate while I lie on the couch being smothered in excited dog kisses. Eris is what I’ve named her. She’s a big bundle of white fur, an aggressive cuddler, and she can’t sit still for more than a minute. She will serve her purpose well.
When I was nine years old, my parents bought me a dog. My sister, Celeste, had just been born, and apparently, I’d been acting up, unaccustomed to sharing my parents’ attention. Molly, named after my great-grandmother, was a gentle golden retriever, and all the jealousy I felt towards my sister fell away with her appearance. Mom had a new baby, and I had a baby of my own.
As Celeste grew, she also fell in love with Molly, and the dog became both of ours. I already adored my younger sister, but this shared love of our pet brought us closer. We spent many afternoons in our pool, swimming and playing in the backyard together.
The memories spark a swell of emotion that catches me in the chest, tumbling me back into the waves of grief, the undertow so strong that my lungs burn with the need for air. My eyes sting with tears, but I refuse to let them fall. Instead, I’ll channel that grief into the reason I’m here. The only reason.
The close call from a few nights ago—when Daniil caught me snooping unsuccessfully in his library—was a wake-up call. I can’t risk being caught poking around where I shouldn’t be again. Daniil was clearly suspicious of me. I threw him off by having a mini meltdown, but that was a one-time Hail Mary.
Heat thrums beneath my skin just thinking about my humiliation in the moment. I’d been looking for a way to distract him; I hadn’t meant to speak the truth, to admit being bored and lonely.
Even if I am.
Truthfully, I’ve been bored and lonely for years. Ever since I moved into my uncle’s home at the age of sixteen. But to admit it to Daniil was beyond humiliating, and then his response, turning his back on me and walking out with barely a word made it so much worse.
The fact that he looked as gutted as I felt is the one scrap of satisfaction I’ve taken from the exchange. The only thing I’m sure of is the sooner I get Deidre the information she’s looking for, the sooner I can get out of here and never see Daniil Kozlov again.
Which is where Eris comes in.
My father always said that Molly was the best damn distraction there was. And so, I’m picking up on that line of thinking. Eris—named after the Greek goddess of chaos—is going to do exactly as her namesake promises. This ball of white fur and unbridled energy, currently chasing her tail on the couch next to me, will be my excuse to get into places that are normally off-limits, like his bedroom and office.
I have no plans to train Eris. I’m going to let her run wild. I’m not backing down until I find what I’m looking for. Whatever that is.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
BIANCA
“Is that a dog?”Daniil’s deep voice reverberates in the large open space of the penthouse kitchen.
I glance up at him in surprise as I feed Eris a piece of chicken under the table. It’s barely after sundown, and Daniil rarely makes an appearance while I’m still awake.
“Why, yes, this white fluffy beast that walks on all four legs is a dog,” I don’t soften my sarcastic tone, he doesn’t deserve it. “Daniil meet Eris. Eris, Daniil.”
He blinks rapidly, staring at Eris as if he’s convinced she’s an illusion and will disappear if he wills her to. No such luck, buddy.
