Chapter 52
Nix
The door to the office flings open, and we both scream.
My heart thuds one extra beat.
“Apologies.” Volik’s voice fills the room, the same moment my nose fills with fresh mint.
I crane my neck to see over the counter and catch Volik’s gaze after he ducks through the doorway.
“It was just like that.” Jenny drops her hands from where they’d flown up.
I snicker, remembering how she described Volik barging in the other day as the most terrifying and awkward experience of her life.
“Just like what?” He looks back and forth between us.
“Is he asking me or you?” Jenny whispers to me.
My brows furrow as I look at her.
Then I look back at Volik, who is looking at me. With his brow lifted.
I look back at Jenny. “Wait.”
I look at Volik.
His lips pull into a smirk. “You are special, Mea Unica.”
I turn back to Jenny. “Can you really not tell that he’s looking at me?”
She presses her lips together, acting uncharacteristically shy.
Jenny glances over to Volik, who keeps his gaze on me the whole time.
She slowly shakes her head. “I…” She shakes her head again.
I turn forward and watch Volik over the counter.
His eyes are still solid black. Like they’ve always been.
And I think about the photos I saw of him before we met.
Try to remember if I could tell where he was looking.
And… I think I could. I think I’ve always been able to tell.
“Huh.” Then I wonder if it’s just Volik because of our bond, or if I’ll be able to tell with other vampires too.
“The reporters.” Volik’s tone loses its softness. “They did not talk to you?”
I shake my head. “No. Jenny called me right when I parked and warned me. So I didn’t use the front door.”
Volik turns his head, just a little, as he moves his attention to Jenny. “Thank you.”
The motion is his way to show that he’s talking to her, and the act of it both impresses and depresses me.
I wonder if that’s yet another thing that has been isolating. Having people not know when you’re looking at them.
“No problem.” Jenny shrugs, still looking a little tense.
Volik dips his chin. “A friend of Nix is a friend of mine.”
Jenny blows out a breath, then seems to finally relax the rest of the way. “Appreciate that.”
Volik dips his chin again before looking at me. “The reporters should not return tomorrow.”
“Oh?” My brows lift. “Did you have a chat with them?”
“Da.”
“What—”
Audio starts to play from Jenny’s phone, and I snap my mouth closed when I hear Volik’s voice.
“Do not crowd my mate. … That would be a bad idea.” Breathing fills the speakers, along with the crunch of footsteps on pavement. There’s some rustling. Some deep vibrations. Then Volik speaks again. “You two smell like each other. But your wedding ring smells like someone else.”
My mouth drops, and I hold up my hands. “Did you just out some reporter for having an affair?”
Volik shrugs.
I stare at him as I drop my hands to my lap. “Can you really smell his wife through his wedding ring? That’s… nuts.”
“Da, it would be.”
“Would?” I furrow my brows. “Wait, you can’t?”
“Of course not. But—” Volik reaches up and taps his temple. “I have seen photos online of him with his wife. That woman was not his wife. But her scent was all over him.”
Jenny laughs. “Brilliant.”
“Honestly.” I agree, smiling.
As Volik lowers his arm, the sleeve of his shirt catches my attention, and I’m suddenly reminded of where he’s been all day.
Needing to see more of him, I stand. And I swear he stands a little straighter.
Black button-down shirt, with a few inches of chest on display. Black pants. Black shoes.
Part of me misses his barefoot look, but… Damn. He’s fine.
Volik smooths a hand down the front of his shirt. “You approve?”
“Yes.” My reply comes out breathy. I clear my throat. “I’ve… never seen you fully dressed.”
Jenny snorts. And Volik smirks.
I wave them both off as I move to round the end of the counter. “I mean, I’ve seen the photos.”
“You look at photos of me?” Volik’s voice is pure smugness.
“Everyone has seen photos of you,” I huff. “You’re kind of a big deal.”
His pleased expression goes nowhere. “I only care that you are the one who looks.”
Jenny lets out a wistful sigh, and when I glance over, she’s looking at Volik.
Her body language is no longer rigid with fear. And she’s smiling.
Protectiveness flares inside me. And my chest rumbles.
Jenny snaps her head in my direction, and my eyes go wide.
Holy shit. Am I growling?
I try to stop it, but the sound keeps rolling out of me.
I look to Volik for help, but the bastard is grinning.
He’s grinning, looking unbelievably handsome, and my growl intensifies.
In my periphery, I can see Jenny lift her hands, like she did when Volik stormed into the office, but I keep my attention on Volik.
“Help!” I whisper-shout, the growl still rolling out of me.
His grin softens, and he holds an arm out to me. “Come, Mate.”
I take one step, then I’m tugged forward.
My boots skim the floor as Volik uses his power to drag me to him.
The pull on my chest lessens a split second before my body collides with his, when he wraps one arm around my shoulders and the other around my back.
“Hush now.” He runs his palm over my hair as he holds me to him, and I press my ear against his chest.
“I can’t make it stop.” I close my eyes as I whisper the admission.
“I know.” His chest vibrates against mine in the softest purr. “I am here.” He strokes his hand over my hair again. “I am yours.”
I let his words and his heat cocoon me until my growl finally fades.
Volik continues to hold me as he glides his hand down my neck to my spine. “I missed your scent today.”
I tip my head back to look up at him. “What do I smell like?”
“Memories of old. And ones I have yet to make.” His expression is so fond it makes my heart squeeze with affection.
I’m sure I smell like something more definitive. Like how he smells like mint to me. But I like his answer.
Behind me, Jenny sighs. And I wonder if he didn’t give the real answer because we’re not alone.
Slowly, I turn in Volik’s hold so I can face Jenny. “Uh, sorry, about… growling at you.” I wince.
Jenny is the only person, aside from Volik, I’d consider a friend in this town. And I don’t want to scare her away.
Her smile tells me she’s not upset before she even speaks. “We’re good.”
“You’re sure?”
“Totally.” She nods as she stands. “And, this is just an idea, but if you really want to stick it to those obnoxious reporters, you should slip a photo of yourselves like this”—she gestures toward us—“to some other network. Because you two look…”
I lift a brow as Volik tightens his arms around me, holding my back to his front. “We look…?”
Jenny laughs. “Sorry, I’m trying to think of an adjective that won’t get me growled at.”
“Ha, ha. Very funny.”
Volik’s chuckle vibrates through me. “I like this idea.”
I nod. “Let’s do it.”
When I tap Volik’s arm, he drops it from around my front, and I step to the side, so we’re beside each other, with one of his arms draped over my shoulder.
I wish I’d worn something a little more professional to match Volik’s new attire, but maybe the contrast will be a good visual.
Jenny is holding her phone up. “Okay, you ready?”
Volik dips his head toward me. “Would you prefer me to be unclothed for the photo?”
I roll my eyes at him.
He grins.
And Jenny takes the picture.
“One more,” Volik says, straightening so he’s looking at the camera.
I adjust my stance so I’m also standing straight, looking forward.
A small pulse of energy pulls me toward Volik.
I shift, turning slightly into him, reaching out and pressing a hand against his stomach as I brace myself.
Jenny takes the picture.
I glare up at Volik.
He bends down and presses a kiss to my forehead. His lips are warm against my skin, where the flat edges of his fangs feel cool.
And Jenny takes another picture.
Volik pulls back. “The last one is mine. The second one will be for our statement. But the first.” He lifts his gaze to Jenny. “You can sell today.”
Her eyes go wide. “Sell?”
Volik nods. “Da. I am taking Nix home. But sell to the highest bidder. Now. As a thank-you for looking out for my Nix.”
“Wow.” Jenny glances at me, brows up. I shrug. “Okay. Thanks.”
Sliding out of Volik’s hold, I hurry back around the desk and grab my bag.
“Is there anything else you need?” He tilts his head as I walk back toward him. “Other than a bag filled with… cheese.”
Jenny laughs as I sigh. “It’s sandwiches. Not just cheese.”
Volik shrugs. “Okay.”
“I have some clothes in my car.” I trail my eyes over his body again and the way those pants fit his ass perfectly.
Volik takes my bag of cheese out of my hand, then opens the door.
I pause and look back into the office. “Lunch tomorrow?”
Jenny nods. “Definitely. And I’ll text you those other pictures in a minute.”