Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 649(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 649(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
“You like her like her,” said Taryn, beaming.
He shrugged, nonchalant. “She’s a likable person.”
“You should bring her here,” Jaime told him, eyes bright. “We’ll be nice, I promise.”
“You know you can’t rely on your twisted charms with this one, right?” Taryn patted his arm. “I’m sure you’ve been full of compliments, but—considering your reputation—she knows you’re good with pretty words. She’s not going to be wowed by them. You’ll need to give her something you haven’t given others. Something that shows it’s different with her.”
“No, I don’t,” said Dominic. “You’re reading more into this than you need to.”
Dante sighed. “So even though you clearly like her, you still want nothing more than a fling?”
A muscle in Dominic’s cheek ticked. “She’s entering into an arranged mating soon.”
Taryn’s mouth fell open. “No way.”
“Yes.” Dominic couldn’t quite understand it—Mila could do so much better than that. “She’ll be living in Russia.”
Jaime exchanged a look with Taryn and then declared, “Well, I for one think you should spend with her what time she has left as a single woman.”
Taryn raised a hand. “I second that.”
“Right now, I’m more worried about the assassin situation than I am about her moving to Russia,” said Dominic.
“The Olympus Pride is strong, and they rally around each other,” Trey reminded him. “Mila will be well protected.”
Dominic knew that. Still, he’d thought about trying to talk her into staying on his territory, where it would be next to impossible for a hit man to get to her. He’d practiced the conversation over and over in his mind, thought about what ways to broach the idea with her, but he always hit a wall. Mila would never hide—especially when it wouldn’t solve the problem. The bounty would still be there, and anyone hoping to collect on it could hurt her pride mates to flush her out . . . just as she suspected someone was threatening her life in order to flush her brother out.
Hearing his cell phone ring, Dominic fished it out of his pocket. Not recognizing the number on the screen, he felt his brow furrow. Nonetheless, he answered, “Hello?” The voice on the other end of the line made him smile.
“You seem a little distracted today.”
Shutting the cash register, Mila blinked at Dean. “I’m good. Just a little tired. How’s Finley?”
Dean’s mouth curled. “Aside from having a bump on his head after he tried and failed to ride his cousin while said cousin was in their bobcat form, he’s fine. Hey, I went to the Velvet Lounge last night. I hadn’t been to the club before, so I had no idea you performed there. You have an amazing voice.”
“Well, thanks.”
“My girlfriend’s a big fan of music, which is why she’s constantly dragging me to karaoke bars. She loves your voice. In fact, I think she now has a crush on you.”
Mila chuckled, at a loss. “I don’t really have a response for that.”
“I’m not sure I would either, in your shoes. Take care, Mila.”
Remaining at the desk, Mila merely waved. For the millionth time, she gave the view outside a quick once-over. There were no suspicious-looking characters lurking around that she could see. But then, an assassin would strive not to look suspicious, wouldn’t they?
Really, she didn’t need to worry. Tate, Luke, and the pride’s enforcers were spread across the street, surreptitiously keeping a close eye on things while appearing otherwise occupied—relaxing on benches, painting shop doors, cleaning store windows, hanging near the mechanic shop under the guise of waiting for their cars to be fixed. She’d know something was wrong the moment they sprang into action.
Of course, any assassin who came along would no doubt spot Tate, Luke, and the enforcers. But that was the point. Vinnie wanted it to be clear that this would be no easy job. The only reason the cats weren’t out-and-out patrolling the streets was that it would attract the attention of humans.
The best time for anyone to attack Mila would be while she was far from her pride, which was exactly why she didn’t intend on going far. Why make it easy for the people wanting to collect on the bounty? No one with any sense would strike at her while close to so many pallas cats. Then again, no one with any sense would fuck with a pallas cat pride at all, so anyone who came at her had to be a total fruitcake.
Mila quickly tidied her station and then announced to the other barbers, “I’m taking a quick coffee break before my next client arrives.” Which wouldn’t be for another fifteen minutes.
Archie looked away from his client long enough to give her a brief nod. “Make me one, would you?”
“And me,” said Evander, cleaning his shears. “Black. No sugar.”
She sighed at him. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone else who doesn’t always take their coffee the exact same way.” Evander changed it up all the time. Earlier, he’d had it extra milky.