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Lara’s eyes widen. “No shit?” She takes a half step forward, then pauses. “Does she bite?”
“Just when I caught her. She didn’t want to come home with me, but after I made her, she likes it here.” Cupping my hand around Sheila’s long neck, I urge her closer to Lara.
“Alexei.” Lara’s brows drop. “You need to let her go. She’s a wild animal.”
Her features soften when she reaches out and slowly strokes Sheila’s pink feathered head. “She’s gorgeous though.”
“That time I borrowed your car? The stupid throttle locked and zipped me across that golf course. I didn’t mean to, but I clipped her with the tire and broke her leg.” I bend over and point to the healed limb. “She’s better now, but still is slow at walking. So I’m taking care of her.”
Lara’s palm flattens over my wrist. “That’s so sweet! What are you going to do with her during the party? Is that big pool out front that you’re having set up for her?”
My head shakes. “No. That’s for anyone who wants to swim, and I think the guys have a dunk tank they were talking about setting up.”
Shit.
“I have to go, will you watch her for me?” I start moving out of the patio, but my dick still pinches when I walk.
“Alexei? What is going on with you? Why are you walking funny?” Her voice has a tinge of concern.
“Nothing. It’s Jax’s fault.” I don’t want to tell her what happened.
“What did he do?” Her brows furrow as she glances down, making her cheeks flush pink.
“He lied to me.” I’ll leave it at that. “I’ll be back.”
She looks confused, but I don’t want to explain any further.
It only takes me a moment to find the bushy green hair of the hired clown.
“Hey, Bubbles.” I feel strange calling a grown man that. “Is everyone here? My friends will be showing up any time.”
The big man with the wild chartreuse wig turns and smiles so wide that the white makeup he has plastering his face cracks around his mouth. “Yes, boss. I have someone running the desserts and bar, and someone else setting up a pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey game.”
I never really noticed he has an accent like mine before.
“Ty iz Rossii?” I ask him.
“Yes, I’m from Russia, but came here as a child.” His grin freezes at the edges. “Is there anything else? I need to get set up for the balloon animals and the magic show.” The oversized red shoes on his feet twitch as he starts to back away.
“Just one more thing. The most important part.” I grab hold of his arm to stop him, pulling him around to look me level in the eyes.
“Um, okay?” He squints at me before looking to the side. The oversized shirt grows taut as he tries to pull slowly against my grip.
I reach out and seize his other sleeve, squaring him up. “I’m serious, clown. This is vital.” I let my voice drop, hoping he understands.
His painted chin begins to quiver. “I swear I’ll do it. Please, man.” Leaning away, I notice his palm beginning to ease into his pocket.
I bet he’s going to show me his balloons.
“Listen. Ineedyou to be funny. Make Lara laugh.” My teeth grit inches from his red, bulbous nose.
The breeze of his rapid inhale whisks past my face. “Oh.” He blinks rapidly. “Of course.” He tugs away, smoothing out his purple shirt.
When he turns away, I hear him muttering to himself in Russian, but I don’t pay attention.
I got my point across.
Today is going to be hard on Lara when she sees Nikolai and Mila for the first time.
