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“Like… just the two of us?”
“Sure.”
“You don’t have meetings or like… things to go and do today?”
I did, but losing myself in her eyes made them feel infinitely less important. “You’re my thing to do today.”
“Is this because of yesterday?” Alena tilts her head to the side, cascading her blonde hair over her left shoulder. “Are you worried I’ll run away again? Because that was… I don’t know, triggered flight, I think.”
“No, I’m not worried about that.” A half-truth. “I just want to spend time with you.”
Her hesitation gives way to a flood of warmth, and she smiles wider. “Okay, cool. I’d like that.”
“Starting with a bath.” I glance pointedly backward, and Alena rolls her eyes.
“I’d complain, but my feet ache from yesterday, so sure, I’ll take the pampering.” She steps away and turns off the taps, then busies herself with the lotions by the bath. I lose track of what she adds. Looks like I’ll be smelling like spiced vanilla at my next meeting.
No complaints from me.
Finishing up, I set up the towels while Alena washes her own face and teeth, but just as I help her into the bath, a telltale ring reaches my ears.
My phone.
Glancing toward the bedroom, I debate the importance of the call until Alena, settling into the bubbles, taps my elbow.
“Answer it.”
“Are you sure?”
“I know you. You won’t stop thinking about it until you do.”
She’s right. Given the possible dangers at the end of a call, I definitely wouldn’t be able to ignore it for long. Kissing her forehead, I leave the bathroom door ajar so I can keep an eye on her, then hurry to my phone and answer quickly.
“What?”
“Good morning to you too.” August chuckles deeply.
“Sorry, I was in the middle of something.”
“At this hour?” He snorts, amused. “You dog.”
“Take what you can get, right?”
“Indeed. Listen, I had the doctor’s body taken care of for you. That won’t be an issue.”
“Okay.” I’m not sure why that couldn’t have just been passed through Andrev, but sure. “Anything else?”
“Actually, yes.” August’s voice suddenly loses the cheery warmth, and my heart plummets to my gut.
Oh, no.
Not now.
“Spit it out.”
“Well.” August falls silent, and my focus remains on Alena. She cups bubbles in her hands and then blows them toward me with a smile. I force myself to flash one back.
“I have bad news.”
