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We get to the house and I lead Zakiya and Jinx to the playroom.
“Sansone… what are those?” Zakiya points to the cat carriers wrapped in oversized bows.
Jinx releases my hand and sprints to the transporters, opening them and scooping the kittens out as soon as they poke their heads out the opening.
“I promised Jinx a cat and while we were picking one out, I thought you probably didn’t grow up with pets of your own, and I wanted you to have the experience. Here.” I take the cat Jinx picked out for Zakiya and present it to her.
She looks longingly at the small bundle in my hands. “Cat hair gets into everything.”
“Yeah,” I say, not following.
She glances at Jinx, then Aurelio before whispering, “Crimes get solved because of cat hair.”
I stifle a laugh at her concern. “Are you saying you don’t want her?—”
She snatches the cat from my hands. “Don’t finish that sentence. Cats can sense negative vibes.” She raises the kitten, letting its body hang. “You were right. My parents never gave me a pet. I never thought to get one for myself. Did you have one?”
“Before I moved in with my father. I had a boxer. But my father being who he was, had to show me who was the man and got rid of him. Since then, I stopped wanting them. Maybe…” I pause as a revelation hits me. “Maybe a piece of me got both of you pets as a way to relive my experience.”
“I’m willing to share.” Zakiya cradles the cat and sidles beside me. “We have an angel and a naughty girl already. What should we call you?”
The kitten meows and begins purring in her arms.
“How about Fortuna? Perhaps having her will grant us luck.” I flick the kitten’s nose, falling as fast as my wife and daughter have.
Zakiya turns to me. “Thank you. And if I go to prison because of Fortuna, know it’ll totally be worth it.”
“I’ll have you on a plane to a country without extradition before that happens.” I fall into her eyes, thanking fate for bringing this woman into my life. I made some fatal missteps only a woman as strong and caring as Zakiya could see past. And I’ll make sure every day for the rest of my life she knows how important she is to me.
CHAPTER 30
Zakiya
We’re at Valentino’s again, this time to discuss how to deal with the Dusan threat. Sansone explained the situation at the school, leaving my extracurricular activities out of it. To keep Jinx occupied, I invited Max, who hasn’t stopped gushing about being in the mayor’s mansion since she arrived. I also invited her because she seems to irritate Aurelio, and although his attitude has softened toward me, I’m not convinced he’s Team Zakiya yet.
While Max is upstairs with Jinx and Teodoro, Sansone, Valentino, Sloane, Tácito and I head to Valentino’s office. I wait for Sloane and Tácito to leave, but they make themselves comfortable on the sofa.
“So, are we going to snipe Dusan?” Sloane asks. “I haven’t been to the range since Teodoro’s birth, but I think I can get a few visits in to sharpen my skills.”
“Principessa, I know you like to be in the thick of the action, but let’s discuss ways to delay that.” Under Valentino’s patient tone is years of exasperation.
“I’m sorry, you plan to take part in this?” I ask Sloane.
She cocks her head and smiles. “We’re a family. A threat to one is a threat to all. Valentino doesn’t go anywhere dangerous that Tácito and I don’t know about. And if our skills will help, we’re right alongside him.”
I frown considering their current situation, curious because Sansone and I will face a similar predicament. “Wasn’t that before you had Teodoro? Who looks after him if something goes south for all three of you?”
Startled, the three look at each other as if they haven’t discussed how a child will make them compromise.
Tácito signs, but it’s too fast for me to understand. Whatever he’s saying causes a stricken look to come over Sloane’s face.
“But… but…”
Valentino cups her cheek, interrupting her protest. “Tácito’s right. Of the three of us, Teodoro needs you the most. You can help plan, but you can’t be in the thick of things.”
Sloane turns a glare onto me. “If my men are in danger and you can help, don’t hesitate.”
“Sloane, don’t tell my wife what to do. Zakiya needs to take care of herself, and only herself. I’ll be the one taking on the danger. We’re here to discuss how to protect me while I take out Dusan.”
